The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-06-19

SIN Queensland said Mrs. Bob
Lady Lucifer gave Il sigh. 'Ah, yes!
one has time to live in Queensland-here,
scarcely to breathe. However, now have
half an hour to spare and l want to know
whether you8 diamonds are better than
mine or not Well, of course, they are
better in one way whether they are
worth more or not, for yours are your
own, while most OF mine are family jew
els"
Thus urged, Mrs. Bob went to a leather
covered box of very ordinary appearance
! and began to unfasten the straps-then
the corner fell off and disclosed stout
/ basket-she lifted the lid of that and took
| out an iron-bound box which fitted within
/ the basket. It's an unconventional at
| fair" said Mrs Bob, as she felt in her
pocket for the key-"but we fatter our
selves it does not look like a jewel-box."
1T does not" said her hostess.
Then she turned the entire contents out
for the benefit of the two Iadies-and
what a collection it was. The ornaments
were almost entirely of diamonds, but
there was one exception, an enormous
butterfly formed of a large pigeons blood
ruby, with a single pearl for the head,
emerald eyes and wide spreading diamond
wings. Lady Lucifer picked it out from
among the glittering collection. My
DEAR wear that to-night-it will look love-
ly with that dead white gown"
eyes, [ will wear it" said Mrs. Bob.
81 never saw anything so lovely in my
life," exclaimed Mrs. Trafford; "there are
so many, and they are all SO large and
beautiful. If they were mine | should
never be able to sleep for wondering if
they were safe"
"Oh, yes; you would soon get used to
that" Mrs. Bob replied. II used to feel
a little nervous in India and on board
ship, but | kept the shabby old basket in
sight and everybody thought it was bon
nets-I always called it my bonnet-box,"
she ended, smiling.
my DEAR" said Lady Lucifer, II yield
you the palm. Mine cannot come any
where near them. I always said you
were the luckiest girl I ever knew, al
ways"
Mrs. Bob smiled and began putting the
cases back into the box, laying aside on
the table such ornaments as she wished
TO wear that evening Then she packed
up the basket again and threw shawl
carelessly over it. There" she said, ''it
is quite safe Nobody would ever dream
there was anything valuable in that"
All this did not leave Mrs. Trafford
too much time in which to get ready for
dinner. She went back to her room
where she found Julia already nearly
dressed.
"Why. mother!'' said she, where have
you been?"
81 G00r ~, NTvo NFnr 1-I,o nd
room, my dear, looking at her jewels-I
have seen jewels BEFORE" she added, "but
never anything like hers"
Julia was too happy, however, to be
much impressed by anybody's jewels, no
matter how costly or beautiful.
care they good?" she said carelessly.
Exquisite" said Mrs. Trafford, with
decision.
However, when Julia, half an hour
later, saw Mrs. Bob walk into the draw
ing-room, with her dead white satin dress,
the big butterfly playing on her left Shout
der, and three large stars adjoining the
bodice beneath it, which in their turn
caught up and held in place a lovely neck
lace of large single stones, she felt indif-
ferent no longer, but looked at her with
undisguised admiration and caught her.
self wondering whether she would ever
be able to adorn herself in like fashion.
wonder is there any woman in all the
world who does not really like diamonds
I once knew a man who said he detested
them and I have heard that same man
tell lady that her diamonds were ex-
quisite. julia that evening, turned to
Stephen Howard and said, How delight
full your sister looks"
Eyes, she does look rather nice," he an
swered in true brotherly fashion, that is
nice frock she's got on"
''And her diamonds are lovely" said
Julia.
"Do you like diamonds?" he inquired.
II love Them" she said promptly, at
which he laughed and said how odd it
was, ladies were all the same on that sub
ject.
eyes, I believe we are," said she, laugh
ing too.
1t was large dinner, of more than
forty people, indeed-and Julia went in
with Stephen and enjoyed herself obi so
much. OF course the evening seemed to
go like magic and it was quite with sur
prise that she realized that the guests
were quickly saying goodnight. AS the
last one disappeared Mrs Bob moved to
where Lady Lucifer was standing I'm
so tired tonight, Violet" she said, ~ am
going to bed Goodnight"
Goodnight, DEAR" said Lady Lucifer.
''But cannot | do anything? Will you
have anything sent up to your room~
Mrs Bob fairly laughed. mot thing,
dear-I am tired that is ALL she replied.
81 will just steal off before you have those
wonderful card-trickS."
So away she went and then Mr.. Car
rington, who was a young man highly
popular in society, a sort of Jack-ot-alE
amusements, began to show off his skill
at various card-tricks-yet scarcely had
he began when the door was hurr1edly
opened and Mrs. Bob came running I'D
with scared white face, scarcely indeed
less white than her satin gown. ooh! Boz
Violet" she gasped.
Her hostess and her husband both
jumped up. "What is it?' asked one.
care you ill?'' said the other.
my boX-my jewelsp' she cried. "They
are gone-all gone-stolen!"
Good HeaYensp' cried Markham: then