Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-27

Certainly but am sure no servant
in this house would dare to touch such
valuable thing and before the baro.
nets own eyes Besides, Julia Craley
never left Sir Henry's side, day nor
night"
"And may 1 ask who Julia Craley
TSP" demanded.
Julia Craley," replied Lady Files.
mere, sis protege of the late baronet
the daughter of distant cousin OF
his, who was left penniless orphan
and thrown on his bounty for protec.
tion and support. She was deeply at
tached to Sir Henry-her love for him
and for his son, also, was more like that
of dog than human being. To at.
tack them or their property was like
attacking her life. She would never
have allowed Il creature but my sell to
have touched anything that belonged
| to them"
"A rare fidelity, Lady Ellesmere," ]
replied. might 1 ask to see this lady?"
at would be of no USE" said my in.
formant. "She can neither hear you
nor speak to you. She is deaf mute
and almost imbecile."
Truly unfortunate" 1 murmured.
"Still, should like to see her, etcn If we
cannot converse together. 1t is part OF
my business to leave no stone UNI
turned"
81 believe she is out at present" re-
piled Lady Ellesmere, indeed, 1 an
sure she is, for l saw her go down the
garden path few minutes ago. But
she will soon be back. She is not strong
enough for long walks. Is there no one
else you could speak to in the interval
Mr.. Busby?"
Certainly, there is Lady Ellesmere, Sii
Charles wife, mean," added, seeing
the cloud that roso to the lndy's brow
at the mention of the name.
But she only arrived here yester
day." she said, with her hand upon the
bell.
Nevertheless, l must see her." re
Piled, and she rang the bell sharply ,ant
told the servant 10 conduct me to tn,
presence of Sir Charles wife. II,
ushered me into another morning room
where pretty, graceful young lady o
about eighteen OF nineteen received In,
with u certain amount of trepidation
(which l hatened to allay.
Pray do not be nervous, Lady Files
mere said, Il only want to put two o
three questions to you, respecting thes
lost jewels. l understand that you onl,
,rrived here yesterday. l presum
therefore that you have not see
then?"
20! no! never!" she replied, In
girlish, diffident way.
Has Sir Charles ever spoken of then
20 you?"
"Yesl often. He used to tell me no,
beautiful they were, and Of the name
which they had come into the pos
session of his father from the rajah O
1anibore, and that they were to be hi.
when Sir Henry diedl"
u suppose he had never .be leas
doubt Of that?"
"Ol never! lie has drawn them 70
ale so that might have some idea c
their shape and size, and he has ofte
told me. long before we were married
how he intended to have them set i
order that his future wife might wea
them"
Had you heard anything Of Shes
unhappy quarrels with his tathe
Lady Ellesmere?"
Sometimes my husband spoke {
them, but not often. The thought {
them made him too unhappy. He Wi
very fond of his father-and so was h
father of him, until the-the--o
Lady Ellesmcre came between them
, But it has been all hearsay wit
you
"Yes; nil hearsayi"
At this juncture the door If the ROOF
. opened, and Sir Charles voice wa
heard, coaxing some one tc enter.
Come along, Julia!" he said; ICON
along and see Gertrude! Come wit
/ Charle!"
5 An uncouth sound, unlike the speec
If human or animal, was uttered in +,