Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1893-01-25


"Thcrc's the thing which might
have been the cause of some ones un
timely death, and the subject of n
good article for the morning jour-
mails"
a cry of surprise escaped the lips
o; the jewccr-gucsis as each simu!-
tancously stretched forth a hand to
grasp the small object which had been
the means of SO disturbing the eQuan-
unity Of their host.
"Why, Damon! les n diamond!'
cried Mr.. WardSworth, eXcitcdly.
"a diamond" reiterated the rcpor-
ters aghas, with a>toniShmcnt.
'If it is not valuable gem, | never
saw onr," continued Wardsworlh.
"What say you, Rtchardson?' turning
10 Iii, companion in the trade.
.Ii is a stone Of the first water"
conc'usively replied the experienced
dcaer in precious metals. GLOW
came it in the bottle, do you sup
poser
"Can it be one of the stolen jewels,
think you?" asked Damon, his news
paper instinct leading him with light
ming rapidity 10 trace their "iind" to
the steward no had given him the
wine, back across the Atlantic, even
TO the vaults of its original owner.
"Pcrhaps," answered Wordsworth,
his voice husky with excitement.
"But, quick, Damon, bring us basin
and we will examine the contents of
tic flask"
1t the throats Of the guartettc had
been parchcd with thirst, they would
not for an instant have thought to
mois,cn their lips with drop of the
liquid.
Ills hands trembling, Mr. Wards
worth struck OIL The neck of the bottle
by 4 single blow of a fruit knife
which he took from the table, then
allowed the Burgundy to flow freely
ont into the China bowl. With balcd
brcaths, the men watched the glitter
ing spray as it fell from the jagged
edge of the shattered glass!
Diamond after diamond mingled
with the ruddy wine, and sparkled
with scinlillations which dazzlcd the
eyes of the bclolders!
For a moment the occupants of the
room stood about the table, spccchless;
Then the jewcler graspcd the hand of
his host, and exclaimed:
"Damon, your fortune is made!
Thee are undoubtedly the jewels
which were taken from The safe of
Jaspar, Sturgis ~ Jaspar, London,
and the reward Of twenty-five thou
sand dollars is yours. A small for
tune, my boy, small fortunc!"
Then if the Engishmcn's gold
comes this way, it shall be divided
into four parts, and you, my friends,
shall share with me-" returned the re-
porter, promptly. "But what is to
be dom? know column exclusive
for the morning papcr,' and the
young man sprang towards his desk
with the intention of writing out Il
startling story of tho wonderful re-
covrry of the stolen diamonds. valued
at $50, 900.
lie was restrained, however, by his
friends, WHO assured him that to pub
lish the matter now would be to serve
as II warning to the thieves and thwart
the ends of justice.
"We will take the diamonds down
to my store aud lock them up said
Mr.. Wards "Thcn notify the
police, who will probably arrest the
steward, and ticu cable across the
news"
81 am sorry that have been the
means of causing trouble to the man,
for we are old friends" observed Mr..
Damon.
"rhe steward may be innocent"
urged Damon's companions. "Do
YOU think if he knew the contents of
the bottle he would be likely TO give it
away? No, sir" added Mr.. Wards.
worth, "you may ret assured that
some of the principals in the affair
have bundered, aud blundercd badly.
Nevertheless, 1t was brilliant scheme