Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-06
THE LOST DIAMONDS.
BY STERLING KANE,

Who was Mrs Dickerly Feathcrgay,
and how did she happen 10 get Into the
best society? Was she handsome, tai
ented and rich9 MOI But she was am
bilious; had tact; therefore, had man
aged TO land herself plump and square
In the very lap OF society's good graces.
How did she do It? Well. there are
many ways OF doing this-dressing
well. either on borrowed money or
on credit, giving a few vapid fash
iorable entertainments out OF the same
eNchequer, being seen much In public,
taking an active part In society faus,
talking much and claiming more OF
family prestige, etc, etc. these are
some OF the steps by which mediocre
people climb the social lndder 70 nnd
on its loftiest round those VINO are
superior to themselves only In Stiffness
and foolish pride
Mrs. Feathergay was acknowledged
charming. She had been abroad. Her
London walking suit was u love. her
Paris hat n poem, her French accent
perfect though. indeed, she had cross
ed the pond" but once, and then only
for a few weeks. She knew no French
except u few phrases, practiced up
on with a poor French seamstress at
% cents a sitting.
The reader should not have demand
ed these private intimations concern
ing Mrs. Feathergay. She Is only one
Of the many who work the same
scheme. and II society shall continue TO
be admired and looked up to, pleblnns
and plodders would better not know
too much about its members.
But what caused the social ferment
which cast Mrs. Feathcrgay TO the
surface and placed her name into each
mouth? How was II that her light
came SO near going out IN the darkness
OF universal denunclatlon?
These are the facts In the case:
Mrs. Golden had Just given the en-
tertainment Of the seasonal ball Mrs.
Feathergay was present, arrayed
like Solomon In all his glory. Mir.
Feathergay, whose salary FOR the yenr
was already. IN six months, exhaust
ed. was In rage about his wife's eX-
travagance; In fact, they had noisy.
passionate quarrel just before leaving
home for the bnll. Sweeping by him
with her train. Mrs, +. had retorted.
give yourself no concern. sir, about
this BAH gownl ] win soon have money
which will neither come nor go through
your hands'
The bail was over and the ladies'.
wearicd with dancing, many Of them
supplied with champagne and over
heating. were crowdlng the dressing
room aud wrai ping up for departure.
Mrs. Downing Costmore stood before
q dressing case removing her Jewels.
which she always carried TO such oc-
casions in Il case. They were said TO
be rare and TO have cost many thous-
ands.
Mrs Feathergay, standing near. saw
the flashing gems AS they lay IN the case
not vet closed. wicked Intrigue
flashed into her mind. She saw n way
out OF financial trouble. as well out OF
connubial infellclty. which would In
crease under this last pressure on her
husbands pockeibook. Tho devil em-
ploys electricity, II he IL to be Judged
by the rapldity OF his movements that
night. for he crept Into Mrs Feather
gays conscience In hurry. She gave
IL sudden scream, which sent horror
through the souls OF the hurrylng
scampering guests of the hall.
what IL the natter" and every
body rushed toward Mrs. Fnathergay.
who gasped and seemed inclined 10
faint
only fright I saw n horrld face fiat
tened against the window pane, and
I'm sure the man II still on the We
randall"
More gasps. many ehrieka. and sud
den boiling away from the window
toward which TIC alhrnist pointed
of the ladies saw the face again APP
pear. II was o confused, aonscless me-
lee. Just such as women only can pre-
cipitate. Mrs. Golden ana her husband
hearing the noise came bounding up the
stairs. aud were able In few moments
TO quen the tempest OF groundless
alarm Then another cry feIi on the
departing guests
my diamond cardrops arc goneY'
II was Mrs Costmore who spoke.
Every one exclaimed. "fmpogsibIe'
You must have dropped thom on the
floor, And search was made; even 10
looking under the bed and behind the
furniture. Mrs costmore was In de-
SPAR and loud IN her lamentations.
The hostess was mortified and humil-
lated that her house should be the
scene Of such happening. and said.
soothlngly. "I'm sure the diamonds
will he found tomorrow" Mrs Feather
gay was among the first TO offer sym
patty 10 Mrs. CoRtmoro and ref out
~ the house. but q gentle. Kweet-fared
little lady. who had remained perfectly
calm during the excitement. whispered
to the loser % the diamonds.
For Gods sake, don't Involve me,
but I saw Mrs. Feathergay'a hands on
your Jewel case" This was. already
suspected by Mrs costmore. Who. ~
ter lying awake an night, confronted
the Feafhergay's the next morning be-
fore they had flashed breakfast
Upon hearing the terrible charge
against his wife. Mr.. FeathcrRay be-
came frenzied With excitement and
anger. Nrs FeatherRav raved rs only
a woman can Mr.. Feathereay denied
the possibility of such Dishonesty.
whatever ais wife'a fefits miKht be.