Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-04-23
THE ETCHIN DIAMONDS.

! Arthur Stangate, attorney at-law, was
my brother. He had succeeded. to my
! fathers business, and no name was more
esteemed and trusted in all Huntington
and Huntington was rich and important
! place.
Ny brothers offices were in the town
two miles distant; but be did almost az
much business among the gentry at hi.
own private house.
Most of the great folks employed him
but his best client was Sir Etchin Eckford
CT devant Indian judge, very wealthy
and the possessor of some rare costly
| jewels, known in the country as the Etchin
diamonds. Their name makes me shud
der now
One evening as Arthur was preparing tc
return to his Office, where important bust
ness would deem him all night, Sir Etchin s
groom left a parcel, with note. The lat.
ter stated that the former contained the
famous Fitch; diamonds, which the
owner thought safest to entrust in Arthur
care, as he had been unexpectedly calico
to London.
Il don't care what deeds they leave
with me, >" said my brother; but | don t
like such trusts as these. Still, I suppose
| must keep them
Of course he could not send them back:
so, taking the parcel he at once proceeded
to his duty to lock it in the iron safe. |
| went with him, and with a woman s
curiosity and love for jewelry, besought
peep at the gems before they were put
away.
Arthur, the best brother in the world,
instantly removed the paper covering, dis
closing square morocco box, beip g
bound, with key tied to the bundle. They
were indeed magnificent, set in the mas
sive Indian fashion; while many of the
diamonds were vet uncut.
One by one, bracelets, bangles, necklets,
Arthur lifted and flashed in the lamplight
before my dazzed vision.
He was holding a superb emerald and
| diamond netklet in his hand for my adj
miration when happening,,to raise my head
a cry of alarm burst from my lips.
what is it, NeIl?" asked Arthur.
The man. | replied "See! the win
dow is uncurtained, and | am sure saw
a man looking in from the tree outside. -
'Nonsense!' cried Arthur.
Nevertheless he flung up the window,
called and gazed in every direction. There
was nothing-not a sigh, not a sound;
and he fastened the catch and dropped the
curtain.
As, however, he was about tc put away
the diamonds | said, Arthur, would il
not be better to place item in the safe in
! your bedroom p
He agreed in the advisability, anG
| locked them up then having cautioned me
to see we'll to the house fastening and
| asked again if | was really not frightened
to remain alone night with only the
servants Jane and Jenkins, he left fol
town. | saw everything secure and went
ear y to bed locking Arthur's bedroom
and taking the key with me-
1t was long before | slept When did
| was almost Immediately aroused by {
slight sound at the door. | asked who
was there. James voice answered in a
cautious whisper. Seeing something was
wrong, rising, admitted her. No sooner
had she entered than quickly closing, she
refastened the door, and exclaimed II
| accents OF terror, 20 miss! what shall We
do? For mercy's sake make no noise
don't get light. Burglars are breaking
into the house, and J. am sure Jenkins is
their accomplice."
'Burglars'' cried Then the thought
of the face flashed across me. Gracious
powers!' exclaimed; they are after the
Etchln diamonds!
saw it all. The groom's errand had
been OWNED, my brothers absence was
known, and, by Jenkins treacherous aid
| the place was being attacked dropped
stunned, on the bed. Then | started up
At any cost-even lfe-the diamonds en-
trusted to Arthur must be saved. Hur.
riedly dressed. and while doing so. heard
the soft sound of persons moving III TIE
| house.
Jane, | said, having explained all te
the faithful girl, Il must get Sir Etchin's
diamonds"
How, miss? If you go into the passage
they'll kill YOU"
True; therefore I must get out by the
window. They will not hear, for they be.
| heve the box is in the study, and II
| will take them long to discover their mis-
! take
Opening the window | got out on to the
yeranda. How fearful!ly it sloped! Could
do it? Yes. by pressing my feet against
the gutter. Slowly | went, foot by foot
until reached Arthur's window. Ny
Quickly l entered, opened and re!ockec
the iron safe, and with the diamonds
more slow ", and with greater difficulty
returned.
Reaching my own room, | did not enter
for what could two helpless women dc
against strong. evil men, bent on plumber
Instead, | ordered Jane to tear a sheet
into shreds, having attached which tt
the box, | babe her lower it to me, after
descended by the trellis.
She did as directed; then joining 4ne
we, carrying the box between US, ran from
the house.
We had not gone dozen yards before
dread of pursuit, and having the diamonds
wrested from us. possessed me.
Jane" said, this will never do Lei
us make for the hollow oak. We can put
the box in that; they II never find it before
help comes
fastening in the direction together
we managed to raise the box high enough
to reach the hole, and | toppled it in. L
fell with heavy thud; knew it was safe
then told Jane to run to the Hawthorns
the nearest house. and arouse the people
and bring some of the male servants back
She wanted me to go with her, but | dasi
not leave the neighbohood of the tree, lee,
any miserable chance should occur for tn,
burglars finding the treasure Crouchins
among the bushes some yards off, bad,
the girl hasten
! Scarcely had she gone when nois,