The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-14

for the evening. She scolded me
some, but said nothing about my
going back. Instead, she subsidized
into a gossiping strain, afterward re-
proving me sharply for being so care
less with my diamonds, which lay as
] had tossed them upon my toilet
table.
The hotel is full Of thieves. ." she
said, emphatically. Half these gen
tlemen we see here live by just such
chances as Your diamonds. You
must let me take them, Bessy, and
keep them for you." "
For reply silently returned the
Jewels to their casket, put that in my
trunk, and locked it.
Mabel shrugged her shoulders, but
she said no more.
was a careless creature, as MaDet
said. In proof thereof 1 retired that
night and left my door unlocked and
nv key in my trunk. walked some
5ime in the middle Of the night and
saw. by the dim light, form kneel-
ing beside my trunk, and in the act
Of unlocking it. | had some ado to
keep myself from screaming. had
J vague idea, however that such
proceeding would call to life pistol
or a knife. There would be plenty
of time for this cool intruder to Sc
cure my diamonds of whose locality
he seemed we'll aware, and to make
off with them before hindrance could
come.
Cool intruder, I say, for he was by
no means noiseless in his operations.
| think it must have been the noise
he made in opening the door which
walked me, and he fumbled at the
lock of my trunk in perfectly audi
BILE manner. He seemed to have
some difficulty in getting the trunk
open.
Imagine my dismay, when SEEM
ingly getting out of patience at last;
he rose to his feet and gave the lid
a resounding kick, that caused the
refractory spring to loose its grip
and expose my treasures to his
hand.
Now, was very much attached to
nv diamonds. I could not lie coolly
and see them depart without making
an effort in their behalf.
However, Twas just about to speak,
lust about to make wild appeal to
the wretch's generosity, when he'
having CROPPED hither snd thither
through the trunk in the most as
founding manner, muttering to him
self some curious expletives, sudden
X reached the burner and turned
up the gas. -,,-,...s..-.--z----z=--7g2.r
:inssFef ii 2 c5tf7ecfec rrIye lhSanfhg; It It
showed him-me!
don't know which was most con-
founded. He swept the room with
dancing eyes, and vacated it very
abruptly indeed, but I could hear
him softly laughing in the passage,
or ] fancied so, probably at the
ridiculous figure l must have been,
as l sat up in bed, my face like ashes
with fright, and my head bristling
like a porcupine's back.
I got up presently, and locked my
door, and saw that my diamonds were
safe. Then / lay down again, bat
not to sleep any more.
Sc this was the end Of my romance.
Mabel had said the hotel was full Of
thieves, and l had only most un-
looked for chance to thank for hay
ing saved my diamonds.
Such an elegant man, 50 hand
some; all, me! In the few hours
sleep that finally came to me, l
dreamed that was promenading the
beach with my midnight visitor, and
that had just discovered that l had
only a waterproof cloak over my
night-dress, and had forgotten to take
my hair out Of its pins. l dreamed
that the stranger was making love to
me in that absurd rig. l was angry
enough with my dream when l walked.
| went down to breakfast in anything
but pleasant humor.
The first face that my eyes fell
upon was that OF the stranger.
Ridiculous? I should think so. |
believe l turned pale with surprise
at his effrontery To dare to present
himself there, after last nights pro-
ceedings. He did not meet my
glance at first; his eyes were
dropped demurely to his plate, as
though he had seen my look coming,
and so chose to meet it, but I fancied
l could see that silken mustache
twitch slightly. He dared to laugh
at me still! l averted my eyes i'm
mediately, and did not once look
toward him again.
Later in the day my sister and |
went for our bath, and while we were
in the water. Mabel confidently in
formed me that just the match for
me lad come at last.
"He arrived night before last, dear,
but | would not say word till was
perfectly satisfied rs to his ante
cedents and belongings she said
eagerly. He is rich, and from one
of the finest families. and can't bear
the sight of fashionable woman;
so you are sure to suit him, II you
half try"
l said nothing and Mabel went on.
You must have seen him at
breakfast. The handsomest man at
our table. He sat half way down,
and I saw him look at you severa!
times-a gentlem an with curly hair,
and such funny eyes.
turned my face towards my sister
with a start of recognition. "Oh.
YOU did see him, then?' and Mabel
laughed.
Then I told her of the night.
To my amazement Mabel began to
IL nLn ,rn,,ld "a intn