Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-12-02
R E 7 R [ B e [ @ N
BY "THE DUCHESS
CHAPTER /.

CHAPTER l.
The coffee and toast are suffering the
eggs and kidneys are growing cold, the
butler is looking distinctly aggrieved,
and Sir Thomas, lifting his head from his
we'll aired Times, gazes across the
table cloth, with a solemnity even more
pronounced than usual, at his stepSon,
Grant Boyle.
''Your mother is late again this morn
ing he says testify. ''This is, indeed,
the third time this week she has been be-
hind time
''Old age begins to assert ITSELF sug-
gests the younger man carelessly.
Something in the indifference of his
tone nettles Sir Thomas. His brow con-
tracts, and he stares angrily at the other,
betraying how very little love is lost
between them.
Age has nothing to do with it. Your
mother is not failing in any way, however
much that thought may find favor
with you. Your entrance into your
kingdom will not be yet, 1 hope and be-
lieve.''
This reference to his inheritance of
considerable estate on his mothers death
raises a smile upon Boyle's lips and a
contemptuous movement of his Shout
ders.
II see no disgrace in old age myself,
he says. sit has its drawbacks, perhaps
with n look of studied inSolence at Sir
Thomas-''but its privileges too He
laughs slowly. ''As you see, my mother
is late-her privilege is TO oversleep her
self
Your mother, sir, has not been the
same woman since the robbery of her
Jewel case, month since. 1t has preyed
upon her cruelty, as any one-who-
whom his odd, Tuning manner
had a spark OF feeling in them might
have seen. But you are too devoted to
your racing, your cards, your town dissi-
pations. to spare a thought for one OF the
best women, the best mothers, who
ever''-
His Indignation is cut short in very
summary manner. The door is flung
wide, and Lady Valworth, entering, tot
tiers to the nearest arm chair and sinks
into it.
''Oh. Thomasl Oh! good heavens!''
she cries. THE diamondsl''
Sir Thomas, flinging down The Times,
starts to his feet, and turns to her.
''Why the deuce can't You speak, Lu-
cinda?'' says he.
''They are gone!-gone, l tell you!
I've searched everywhere, and they are
not to be found. This is the second rob-
bery-and where is the fault to be laid?
What on earth is to be done? The poor
woman, growing quite hysterical, covers
her face with her hands, and sobs aloud.
'sYour diamonds! The family dia-
mondsl Bless my soul! Has the world
come to an end?'' cries Sir Thomas. "But
there must be some mistake. When'-
putting on his most magiSterlal air
''did you see them last?''
s'Two nights ago. l wore them at the
Eyers' dinner. You remember, Grant?
You came with u.s."
Yes l remember" says Grant,.
ut is absurd. 1t is outrageous Is
there no law in the 1and?'' fumes Sir
Thomas. ''Have you sent for the police
"a detective''-
.EOf what use was the detective we got
down from town about my emeralds?'
asks Lady Valworth despondingly. 'No;
it is conspiracy-a deeply rooted one!
''Nonsenser' growls Sir Thomas; ''it's
burglars. Dye see your mothers con-
Germ, Granit-what do you think, eh?''
Servants 1 should say" laconically.
''Oh, my dear Granitr' cries his
mother But which amongst them
would you first suspect? We have had
excellent characters with them all; and
Johanna, as you know, has been with me
for twenty-eight years-in fact, ever since
YOU were born. Her character is surely
established"
SIT is the people with established
characters who invariably enrich them
selves at the expense of their employers
In the long run, they reward themselves
for the years of correct living that they
have endured. Take my advice, and
keep your eye on Johanna"
He laughs cynically. There is, indeed,
what one might almost believe to be an
under current of amusement in his tone
'sThis Johanna should, indeed, be well
known to your breaks in Sir Thomas;
holt &C
/ have learned, is devtoed to you-has
given you almost a mothers love"
He is gazing at the younger man with
a slow scorn in his old, but yet brilliant,
eyes.
Surely all that is no reason why I
should seek to defraud justice of its
dues" says the young man, with an in
dolent uplifting of his brows. You, as
n MAGISTRATE would surely not suggest
such cOurse?"
''What dye mean, sir?'' cries Sir
Thomas, turning upon him fercely
that Lady Valworth, who has had cause
TO dread a collision between them, rushes
into the breach.
pray reserve discussion, however
amicable, until later on, she implores
excitedly Il cannot listen to it now, /
am so unstrung-so wretched The
emeralds were bad enough; but if moth
Idon't believe l shall get over it. If they
had been my own, / shouldn't so much
have cared; but being yours, Sir Thomas,
and expected by your heir-I"--
She breaks down again, and subsidies
into tears and her handkerchief
Now / must beg you will not so allude
to this unfortunate affair."" says Sir
Thomas, a strong affection underlying
the pomposity of his manner. ''Let
nothing outside the loss itself distress
you-and, besides, there may be no loss;
all yet is mere conjecture. Recovery OF
these jewels Gf, indeed, they are gomez is
sure
Positively certain" says Grant, Boyle,
with his inscrutable smile.
I'm the meantime, as YOU are so un-
strung, l shall recommend you change
says Sir Thomas, laying his hand very
kindly upon his wife's. $50 to town fol
a month or so, to your sister, Mrs. Brand
she always does you good-and leave
me here to fight out this mystery"
But though he fights it out hardly, sc
far as money and perseverance can go
nothing comes of his eXertions. The
family diamonds have vanished as en-
tirely, as mysteriously, as did the emer
aids belonging to his wife month before
CHAPTER III.