The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-03
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON O. THURSDAY OCTOBER 1895

its beauty. In world where it's so hard 10
raise a sensation, there's something quite
original and novel, don't you think, in en-
| tertaining the man who's come to your room
to steal your jewels?"
He paused a moment and reflected.
fancy / seemed to surprise him. We'll
this is an adventure for me too" be went on,
at last; the queerest I've ever had. But
it has turned out quite differently from any
thing expected"
What did you expect, then?"
why, | hoped to get your jewels and
make off with them undistuTbed But your
maid most fortunately came in and prevented
me. So had only just time to hide in the
wardrobe. There / stopped till you came.
And you know the rest Of ii. What a lucky
escaped And might have taken them !"
| Excuse me" put in. 81 don't want TO
| pry into any body else's business, but might
| ask the reason that made you take this un-
usual step? You'll admitit isn't quite in the
| ordinary course to enter lady's room to
abstract her diamonds"
Miss Flanagan" he cried, "you're the
most extraordinary woman / ever met.
do admire you'll"
"Oh, that's nothing" answered. "Pm
accustomed to being thought extraordinary
in England It's my role, don't you know,
and I'm used to playing it."
so it seems" he replied, looking at me
quite curiously.
" But why did you want to take my dia..
monds?" | asked again. You'll pardon
me for my national habit of sticking close
to my question"
"Wby did / want them ?" he repeated,
drawing his hand across his forehead. "Ob,
Miss Flanagan, why did / want them?
Can't you guess? Can't you think? Are
you so rich yourself that it never even occurs
to you that others may be poor-in diff
culties, desperate?"
Oh, N.Y." I said, staring at him; "you
don't look rs If you were poor. You've the
dress and manners and voice of gen
tleman."
81 was one, I hope-till tonight" +" he re-
Piled, with that repressei little tremor
again. But doesn't it ever occur to you
that even gentleman may be in difficulties
in terrible straits-where he's ready 10 do
anything, almost anything, for money!"
rose from my seat and moved over again
to the dressing-table. Take them," said.
Take them" And handed him the neck
let. you've struck it rich this time.
They're real fine, those diamonds. But
they'll be more use to you, reckon, than
ever they've been to me. l tell you, my
POppa can buy me some better ones"
My dear, you won't believe it, but the
tears fairly started into that burglars eyes.
He waved my hand away and stood there
like a schoolboy. For minute, | thought
he was going to come forward and kiss me.
But lie didn't; he only wrung my hand very
hard. Miss Flanagan" he said, s. didn't
know there was such kindness and gener
osity on earth before. You-you've I'M
manned me-unnerved me. Or, rather,
you've made q new man of me-"
How SOP" L asked, trying to look as
modest and retiring as / could, since the
circumstance demanded it.
"Tll never touch those confounded cards
again." he cried, suddenly, clasping his
hands. "As long as l live, I'll never again
touch them!"
"Oh, it was gambling" l said, "was itp"
beginning to understand and TO grow quite
sympathetic. For in California, you know,
dear, all our men are born gamblers; they
go it on anything, from poker to a bonanza;
and | suppose my Poppa made his pile in
his day pretty much like the rest of them.
He looked at me red i'll the face. l could
see he was much moved.
Yes, it was gambling he said, slowly,
" but for the very last time. L see now
where it leads one. L was desperate-des- |
perate; my last hope gone. / was ready for