The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-08

edorn the wife OF bis half brother. could ne
prevent ID.
You mean to presens them TO Miss
Woodcock tomorrow then, father" Sydney
asked In a low husky voice.
80, no. only meant TO show them to
her. When you settle down and marry as
well as Frederic YOUR bride shall have a
present equal to these"
81 should have preferred my wife 10 have
worn my mothers leHels.n the younger
son said rather bitterly as be went out OF
the room.
On the morrow the stones were shown to
Miss WOodcock, and she examined them
calmly. critically as one who understood
such things. She expressed her delight in
measured way, and then the valuable stones
were locked no in the jewel box and placed
in the safe in Sir Nicholas study by the
baronet himself.
Two nights later Sydney carried out
scheme he had conceived. Stung to the
soul by the thought that the woman who
had rejected him had accepted Frederic
and was destined 70 wear his mothers
gems, he had resolved to seize them and
take TO fight.
A favorabls opportunity presented itself
at the time indicated. His brother was
away in Liverpool on some important bus
iness and was not to return until the NOR
row; the servants had retired to rest an
hour ago, and Sydney and his father sat
chatting and enjoying their wines until
midnight. Then Sir Nicholas bad sought
his room, and the younger son WAS left to
execute his plan.
Seeking his room, he remained there until
he thought his parent would be asleep.
Creeping along the corridor he gained toe
door OF sir Nicholas room. The door wss
e1ar and he pushed it gently open, peered
inside, saw the gas burning dlmly, and
heard his father breathing heavily and
regularly.
On his hands and knees he stole over the
thick carpet, and soon was near the vim
dow with his hand on the tap of the gas A
hurried glance around and he turned out
the light. II his father awoke now he
could not recognize him. Then his hand
sought the well-rsmembered drawer in
which be knew his father had for years
been in the habit of putting his keys on re-
firing,
The receptacle slid out almost noiselessly,
his fingers closed ON the bunch Of cold steel
keys inside, and then he crept on an-fours
from the apartment. He listened intentlY
at the door, but all was still as death, save
the labored breathings of the slightly ihe-
| brlated baronet.
A moment later be was in his own room
examining the keys by. the aid of his gas jet.
They were the ones he needed. In another
minute he was at the study door, had IN
locked it ana passed inside. Lighting the
gas he opened the safe and lifted out the
| iron box. He opened that Also and
found the casket containing the spoil he
sought. The casket was of fine rosewood,
bound with brass bands, and he unlocked
that also to make certain that the jewels
| were intact.
! When he had satisfied himself on that
point be replaced the glittsring gold set
gems, re- fastened the casket and placed it
IN a portmanteau. Then he rummaged
through the safe for other valuables, and
finding several bank notes and a handful of
gold aud silver coins he pocketed them and
prepared for flight.
IL took him only a minute or two to boot
and GOAT himself and then he stole out
through back entrance into ths darkness
and silence of the night.
Lro Pc CONTINUED