The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-11-28

That evening johnson demanded IN
interview Of me. # .
Well, Johnson? ~ / said to this old
and faithful domestic.
I'm not easy about Mr.. Stormont, Sir
Francis" said johnson, carefully look
Ing over his shoulder, though he Had as
carefully closed the door behind him
when he entered.
'tSyhat about Mr.. Stormont?'' in
quired.
He's an uncommon queer gentleman,
Sir Francis replied Johnson. "Sev-
eral nights Two found him wandering
alb, ut my pantry, and yesterday he
frightened Mrs. Rowe out of her wits by
coming in when she and me was holding
a confidential communication in the
housekeepcr's room. Mrs. Rowe.s heart
is weak, Sir Francis
I couldn't help smiling, for it was no
secret where the weakness in Mrs.
Rowe's heart tended
offer?" asked.
''None, Sir Francis," said johnson.
'He put his hand to his head and looked
bewildered, and then went of. He's
been caught upstairs by the girls Just
the same, and Jane met him at your
dressing-room door. And it makes it
worse because he walks so soft, We
amt none of us angry with the poor
gentleman, Sir Francis, but We think
hos stark mad, and we think there'll be
murder If he amt looked sharp after -
II hope not, johnson" said. "This
is just what Mr.. Arrowsmith prepared
us for; his words were< He goes moon.
ing about the place, and wandering into
rooms where he has no business can't
turn my brother-in-lawss friend out OF
my house because he's odd"
II hope nothing may come of it, Sir
Francis,' said johnson, solemnly.
II trust not" said I. ''Mr. Stormont
will 60 soon. Meantime. don't let any
one frighten her ladyship. There is
nothing murderous in a tendency to
poke into strange places"
Nevertheless, I felt somewhat uneasy,
and watched my guest narrowly. But
there was nothing in his demeanor to
warrant my apprehensions, and pres
emily forgot Johnson's revelations, and
ceased to lie awake at night listening
for sudden shrieks.
Stormont had been with us fortnight
when we went to ball at the Duke OF
Bengal's. Lucy donned her diamonds,
and I thought she looked very beautiful
in them, and told her 50. l was lust
kissing her when we suddenly found
that Stormont was in the room. Lucy
blushed prettily at being caught in her
husbands arms, and daresay grew hot.
eve are going to a ball, stammered.
II was just telling my wife her diamonds
became her."
$50 heard" said Stormont. ''May l
look at your diamonds, Lady Dennis?''
He approached and gazed admiringly
at her necklace and earrings.
'Beautiful!' he said, several times.
Diamonds Of the first water! I know
something about diamonds; my great
uncle was diamond merchant"
IF you were going with us, you would
see far finer diamonds than mine," said
Lucy. ''The duchess has diamonds that
are absolute priceless, and such quaint.
ty! She has them sown on to her dress,
and two detectives always close to her.
II wonder she dares walk about in
such precious things" observed Stor.
mont. Eat large parties it is impossible
to say what bad characters may not slip
in,''
swell, as a matter Of fact. she doesn't
walk about" said Lucy. "a few years
ago she hurt her spine out hunting, and
she is always on the sofa."
Wouldn't you like to come with u.s.
my dear fellow?'' said I.
'"Thank you, think not" he replied
plaintively; II should like it, but feal
the noise and heat would hurt my head
Thank you, Lady Dennis, for letting me
see your treasures. Hope you keep then
carefully?'
80, yes! Frank keeps them in his
strong box, and when we travel they g
to the bank" she replied. :'Frank will
lock them up tomorrow as safe as ;
church"
''To-morrtyv!-not till to-morrow?' ex
claimed Stcrnont in Mortified voice.
"No," said she; ''why should he tire
himself? Nobody could take them GU
of our ROOM
At this moment the carriage was an
nounccd, and l carried Lucy off. 1t wa
good ball, and the duchess lay in state
covered with superb diamonds ant
watched by acute and intelligent func
tionaries. In the course Of the evening =;
gentlemanlike stranger, with long, fai
beard, and rather long, fair hair, ad
dressed me, and asked if I could poin
out Sir Francis Dennis. I told him tina
was the gentleman in question, and h.
bowed >courteously.
"You will excuse the liberty took,
he said; ''but believe my old friend
George Stormont, is staying with you
only heard of his whereabouts to-day
and at cockcrow start for the continent
or should have called to see him. Per
haps you will say that you met Colone
L'Estrange."
was pleased with the Colonel's man
ner, and we entered into conversation
and after time he begged me to presen
him to the duchess. This did will
| ingly, knowing that the poor duchess
chief pleasure lay in talking with agree
able people, and after that l lost sigh
of him.
1t was late when we left, and on reach
ing home we found Stormont walking
in the drive, smoking. He followe,
the carriage quickly and helped Lucy t.
alight, and we stood talking in the hal
for few minutes.
And the duchess and her diamonds?
inquired Stormont presently.
1.-THE duchess and her diamonds were
all there" said 1. "By the way, Stor
mont, met a friend Of yours, Colone
L'Estrange, and introduced him t.
the duchess, who, l understand, wa
charmed with him"
''He is very nice fellow, said Stor
mont: ''quite a ladies' man. I wonde.
what he was doing here? However,
mustn't keep you, Lady Dennis; 70,
must be very tired
We went up stairs, and, as usual
Lucy's diamonds were left on her dress
ing table. We had done this so repeat
ed1v that IT, novar 0cc,,rrol IN no to IL