Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-24
lazy TO appear arter ner unsslpou,ou ..

When Miss Newcastle did appear, it
was with a hastily donned gown twisted
about her in aesthetic fashion, simulat-
ing the coils of a serpent. Its delicate
green beautifully set off her blond COM
plexion, but the ornament at the neck
caught Mr.. Martinot S instant attention.
This was frog of the most brilliant
emeralds, with a diamond stripe run
ming down its back. while its legs of
gold filigree terminated in two enor-
nous pearls. Something in Mr.. Marti
not's face frightened Miss Newcastle,
for she stepped to the portieres and
closed them.
81 am sorry" said he, ''to be abrupt
with you, but must ask you for those
jewels-that frog and the others. They
are stolen property, as you know, but if
you give them up at once perhaps
Miss Newcastle smiled, showing set
of very pretty white teeth. "You are
mistaken" she said, ''for they are not
stolen, and if you will allow me to
write note and send it away by mes
senger shall soon receive an answer
that will convince you"
Miss Newcastle seated herself at a
dainty desk and dashed off q note upon
the same paper and in the same hand
which Mr.. Martinez remembered.
"Now," she said, 81 will wait up
stairs until the answer comes, but you
may keep this if you like" tossing the
frog into his hands,
No sooner had the portie1es closed
than Mr.. Martinot stepped to the desk,
and picking up the blotter held it in
front of the overhanging mirror. The
words were blurred, but discernib1e:
"Come. Trouble. Jewels you gave me. :"
The address was plain.
Rushing out, Mr.. Martinot hailed a
cab. "Drive to 99s Chapel street." he
ordered sand $5 if you beat messenger
with five minutes the start -
AS the cab drew up to the door
young man disappeared inside. ''That is
the man I want-the young man who
hides when he sees a stranger. -
Up stairs in his room, where the de-
tective ran two steps at a time to catch
him, crouched the young man, deadly
pale and trembling from head to foot.
81 will confess all-all, " he gasped as
the frog was flashed before his eyes,
telling him that his game was up, call
all, if only you will not let-let him
know.
"I was in debt, horribly in debt
owed for everything and could not get
cent at home, though God knows tried
hard And then when I was being post
ed at my clubs thought suddenly Of
of fathers jewels, that he has collected
for lifetime, and one of which would
mean SO much for me. l intended to
slip into the upper. apartment and take
only one, but could not find the casket.
had been drinking to nerve myself,
and turned on the keys one after an
other, trying to light the gas.
"Then I went down stairs to look in
fathers rooms, and I awakened him
getting the caslet out -
''And the ffre?''
The boys face grew SO ashen that Mr..
Martinot stopped him, thinking he
would faint
80 God! o Godp' he moaned.
Glow can I hope to be forgiven! The
sound of that awful explosion rings in
my ears night and day. have hated
those awful jewels. l gave Marie most
of them She sent some to friend to
sell for her There were so many. But
could not touch one. They were blood
covered. "
The young man S sobs shook the table
upon which he had buried his head.
"The little flame of gas must have
exploded near those open torches, IA
theirs great antique lights. And the peo-
pie who died! o my God! heard
them shriekP'
There was a gasping, gurgling sound.
Harry Williams was choking, but as he
was lifted to the window a queer, weird
laugh broke from his lips, and his eyes
shone like madman's.
''Red as HE'LL" he shouted. ''Beauti-
fulp'
The case was never brought to trial,
for Harry Williams did not regain his
reason, and today his father is broken
hearted old man in spite of the recovery
of nearly all the precious gems.-Au-
gusta Prescott in st. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat.