Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-18
MrS GainSbOTOugh'S Diamonds.
 BY JULIAN HAWTHORNE. Copyrighted by D. Appleton & Co, and published by special arrangement.

Copyrighted by D. Appleton & Co, and
 published by special arrangement.
 She mounted the little ridge, and stood with her graceful figure silhouetted turned up the cuffs 6f my sleeves and buttoned my coat across my chest.
 ''Slurk!' called she, in a clear, pene- trating tone, "bring the basket here, if you please. We mean to take our lunch con on this side"
 She remained standing there, with her back toward me. From my lower posi- tion could not see whether Slurk were answering her summons with Alacrity or not; but since it would be his last op- portunity of obeying her orders, was content to let him take his time. By and by he appeared, with the basket on his arm; he descended the ledge, and Kate followed him, with her eyes on me.
 "Set it down there, near the edge of this pit; not quite so near, please. Now take hold of himT'
 The last words were spoken in a sharp, ringing tone, and at the same moment the girl drew long knife from beneath the overskirt of her dress and stood with it in her hand. Surprised at her action, hesitated half an instant-in that half instant Slurk had thrown himself to- ward me and grasped me around the body with his long, powerful arms. AL most simultaneously with his attack I felt myself borne down by 8 heavy weight from behind and my arms pin toned. The struggle for 8 minute or lIr1t al hot was overpowered. Ahand was pressing hard against my windpipe. Kate stood there with her knife, new and strange expression on her face, but she did not stir.
 At length painting voice close to my cara voice which I knew we'll, and which, heard now, so amazed me that almost ceased to resist-said:
 "I've got him safe here, Slurk. Have you got his legs?"
 A grunt from Slurk intimated that he had.
 "Now then, Kittie," continued Mir. Birchmore, "be quick there, will you?"
 Kate came toward me with her knife. At that sight I uttered 8 yell of animal rage and made one more desperate effort to be free.
 "Hold him tight, can't youT' said Kate in voice that scarcely recognized as hers. "I don't want to hurt him."
 They mastered me, and then, with a rapidity and deftness that showed the practiced professional, Kate made cir cular cut through the breast of my coat and drew out the diamonds.
 "That's all right" remarked Birch more. "Now the rope"
 She went to the basket and took from it coil of fine rope. The two men threw me upon my face and bound my hands and my feet securely. made lit- tie resistance, but submitted in sullen silence.
 "Don't forget his revolver" said Birch more when this was done, and turning me over they took the weapon from my pocket.
 "How do you feel now, young gentle mani" inquired the fellow, addressing me with smile. 'This is the result of plotting to throw unfortunate valets into deep pits, and of flirting with strange young women. warned you, you re- member, to keep out of our way, but idle curiosity has been your ruin. Kit tie, put on the diamonds; he says they become you"
 Slurk grinned at this sally, but the girl said moodily: Don't bother the boy, Jack. He behaved like a gentle man all through. He'd make 8 great deal better husband than you do. Heigho!"
 "Wen, captain, continued Birchmore, addressing Slurk in English, "what are your orders? Shall we lower away now and be off? It's nearly half past one, and we've a good distance to go before three."
 ''Listen to me, MT. Gainsborough," :" said Slurk, also speaking in English, though with foreign accent; "we've got what we wanted out of you, and we don't want to do you any more harm ! than is necessary. But we must have time to get safe away, and to do that we must allow twenty-four hours. We shall leave you at the bottom of this pit, with some provisions, and shall loosen your arms enough so that you can feed your self. After we are safe shall write to your friends at the farmhouse, who are very honest persons, believe, and they will come here and get you out. That is the best we can do for you. Now, then, Jack"
 They loosed the cord little around my arms; then, taking it by the slack end, they lowered me into that dark chasm until I rested at the bottom Then I saw Kate's face above the edge between me and the sky, with some thing wrapped up in paper in her hand.
 Here's some sandwiches for you, my poor boy" said she. "Tm sorry to say goodby to you in this way, really. But don't suppose you'd have me now, ever if Jack weren't my husband already Well, goodby; don't firt too much wit1 that silly little Christina when you ge out. There are the sandwiches"
 She let them fall beside me, nodded and was gone. I lay on my back, witl nothing to look at but the narrow stril of blue sky overhead. It was quit \ coOl where I lav on A he'd of sand anf