The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-27

what must be an unworthy thought;
but his peculiar actions, together with
the fact that his fellow-agents were
worse than incompetent. led me to be-
lieve that was on the right track.
But In spite Of all my efforts the
weeks passed by and was no nearer
any tangible evidence to support my
theories than was at the beginning.
IV-ASP.S AND DIAMONDS.
At the end of the month the little
steamer puffed slowly into the harbor.
] stood upon the veranda watching 1t
approach. when Mr.. Forsythe came to-
ward me.
We'll, Andrews" he said, pleasantly,
ARE you to leave us today?"
I'm afraid not, SIR" l answered,
moody enough. as the thought Of re-
turning to my sweetheart and civili-
cation came temptingly to my mind
I've not performed my mission at
Bonita yeti
He looked at me little curiously, and
good deal surprised. thought.
Not discouraged yet, eh?"
Not entirely. sir"
Have you any theory to work
upon?" he inquired ahXiously.
None whatever"
lHeH. With u SHllIe, let me auVlSe
you to give 1t up. and return to life
that will be more pleasant. l do not
wish to disparge your talents, but I
have known many others who have un-
dertaken to ferret out the mystery,
and one month has sickened them all.
of 1t and of Benita 1t Is not that you
are not welcome. but l urge you to go
for your own sake. For my own part
l am resigned to any loss we may
suffer, since the mines yield us an enor-
nous income as 1t is. What do you
say?"
shook my head.
e, shall not give up. Mr.. Forsythe,
even If 1t takes years to accomplish my
purpose
AS spoke his brow grew dark and
he stamped his heel violently on the
floor. The next minute he bit his lip
and forced smile to his face.
please YOURSELF" he said, "only do
not blame me If you waste your time
on a fools errand" and he walked
hastily away toward the wharf.
/ followed him. and while we were
eing searched by the guard at the gate.
asked if the steamer brought mail from
America.
He nodded without verbal reply and
we joined the group at the wharf and
watched the steamer discharge her
load There was letter for me from Jo-
sephine-a sweet and loving missive.
written cheeringly and hopefully, and
breathing love in every line. There
was also a short note from Mr.. For
sythe wishing me success and asking
for report of my progress / hurried
ack to the house and wrote them both
to my sweetheart love letter. to my
employer a few words to say / did not
despair of success
As | came back to the steamer I saw
them lifting Mother Videauxs barrel
of cocoanuts on board.
The iron chest Of diamonds followed,
the captain signing the receipt on
smooth rock near by. and then the
whistle blew shrilly the steamer drew
swiftly away, and communication with
the great world was cut off for an.
other long month.
Still. had Josephine's letter to COM
fort me; and the thought that l had
sent her all my love I'm return; and re-
solved to throw off all despondent
thoughts. and go to work with renewed
vigor to unravcl the mystery of the
stolen diamonds.
But what could any man do but
watch and wait? Again the weeks
dragged slowly by, again and again |
watched every detail of Mother VI
deaux's visits to the enclosure. but I
could find no solution to the mystery.
Her actions. as well as those Of Howard
Forsythe, were so natural and free
from any attempt at concealment that
] most decided that I was wrong and
began to give up hope of success. In
three days the steamer would be due
again.
last month was not enviablc. Howard
Forsythe absolutely ignored me, and
refused even to converse with me be-
yond gruff word or two when they
could not be avoided. I called on Mr..
and Mrs. Delby. but they so evidently
considered me an intruder into their
domain that ! did not repeat the ex-
pertinent. Herr Schiltz did not en-
courage familiarity, and SO 7 was
thrust upon my own resources for en-
tertainment. since the "bosses" were
rough. uneducated fellows. with whom
/ had nothing In common.
louneed In an easy chair In n shady
corner of the veranda and decided that
the third day from that should see
mo aboard the steamer and bound for
home My trip to Benita was fail
ure, but there was enough to do In
America to retrieve my wasted
months
A scratching sound upon the gravel
made me look up. It was Mother Vi
dcaux on her semi-weekly visit.
Howard Forsythcs window grating
was thrown up abruptly.
Here, you hag-come herev' he
called The old woman hobbed to the
window and he tossed part OF loaf
of bread into her basket She
mumbled word Of thanks and went
around to the kitchen. A sudden idea
came to me and arose and sauntered
toward the gate
'Going out. sir?" asked the guard.
''Tor little walk" I replied.
Nearly shutdown. SIR" he remarked
as he deftly turned ont my pockets:
better take this stick--the varmints are
troublesome towards night: but they
never wiggle after the dark comes. un-
less they're disturbed"
] knew the habits of the snakes well
enough by this time. and had to an
extent lost my earlier terror of them.
but took the stick willingly and
walked slowly toward the lower end Of
the grove.
Once within It's dim shadows. I In
creased my speed. and was soon stand
Ing opposite Mother Videaux's hut. The
old hag was crawling slowly up the
path toward her home. and stopping
frequently to rest. But at length she
reached the hut pushed open the door,
and walked in. crept slowly over the
rocks to the back Of the hovel. keeping
we'll out Of view from the enclosure an
did not know who might be watching
ITO be contifiued.)