The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-12-03


kr to be my bride.
Evening came at last, the clerk had
parted, and I proceeded to lock the
=. Before doing 30, however, my
| dosity prompted me to look at the
ahonds again. Opening the drawer,
\, to my dismay, they were not
tht Thoroughly alarmed, I searched
eve compartment of the safe with
ontInil. The horrible truth then
aawH upon me; l had been robbed.
foa moment ] sat completely
sunni by the weight OF this over
wheiAg calamity, for not only would
my deest friend be reduced to pow
erty fhugh my carelessness, but sus-
plcion buld inevitably fall on me,
ana, WIZ my reputation rnined, how
could pect to win Inez, who was
dearer the than life itself.
At all yards l must recover the
diamonds.
Feelinghat the robbery must have
lpeen comttted by some one who
new the dmonds were in the safe.
could notluspect my faithful old
terk, Rap}el Vega, as he had been
assent from he warerooms all morn
ig. rememered him telling me;
hweyer, OF distinguished Hooking
singer who I'D called while / had
goe to lunchep. He had waited
fe'minutes in. b, office and then left
sayng he wouldr.turn later.
the, Genera Cabanos had been
presnt when til Captain had in
trus'd the diamo| Is to my keeping;
it weindeed hardhr me to harbor
suspibn against tie father of the
womai 1 loved. Uncover, he was
man ofealth and uiaillied reputation
But dif compelled ne to leave no
stone dturned.
nodsearched the nfe again. On
examining the drawer that had held
the dia4nds, disco, tered on its up
per edge small, red steak that re-
senbled aood. After much cog;ta-
ton I d&ded that tis thief in his
haste NIT have graztd his hand.
Here washn important clue, and l
determinelto act upon It.
Confiden that l was pn the right
track, l didpot notify tho police, but
went to my\apartments md dressed
for the recetion.
On my aival ut the Generals
house the firAto greet me was Inez.
She looked lhutiful beyonl descrip-
tion as she b:\me welcome, and foy
a time her Intoxicating lpveline5s
caused me I'd forget the hrooding
trouble that hanted me. As we sat
talking, Don fernandez approached
and requested te honbr of a dance
with Inez. Shd consented. As he
presented his I'M l noticed on the
back OF his haneh slight abrasion.
started. Gould tis be the man who
had called at the sfice during my alb
sence? II so. thu trifling scar s poke
volumes. p
I determined to qlestion him. The
opportunity soon ame, as after the
dance he saunteredlut on to the ver-
anda, which was deArted at the time,
and lit a cigarette Here was my
chance. I followd. Approaching
him I said: II belke you wished to
see me today, Don Heaanez?" Eyes, "
be replied. ~ called A q trihing mat
Ter of business. Spll state it
now?"
That answer decide me, yet it
vas risky thing. to abuse man of
. serious crime, on the light evidence
possessed. But "trifs light rs air"
ire often sufficient to influence one in
ny predicamept. and-I pow, decided
o "stand the hazard of tie die," and
Iccuse him point blank If the rob-
berry.
swell. it is rather late for bust
less," ] replied, taking outmy watch,
but I will give you just ten minutes
0 return the diamonds you stole from
ny safe today"
! shall never forget the los * of rage
nd terror that came over his features,
ghen I UTTERED those words Then,
nth the quickness and ferocily of
Tild cat he'sprang at my thrpat. !
ad draw1 my revolver. but So fierce
nd sudden was his attack that taken
pavares ,anil cnrried off nv feet /