The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-10-28
DiQnO|ld CuI D|0IlOld.

Lady Geraldine Mauleverer sat in
her dressing-room comfortably hab-
tied in dressing gown and slippers,
glancing fondly now and again at
large morocco case which stood open
on her dressing-table, and contained
magnificent necklJce of diamonds,
Lady Geraldine pad just returned
from the county ball where her dress
had eclipsed that Of every other wo-
man and her diamonds had outshone
all other consultations of gems and
she was consequently in an agreeable
frame of mind.
Dear old thing" said Lady Geral-
dine, half aloud. What should | do
without you? And to think how near
ly l was to having to give up wearing
diamonds. What q nuisance it is to
be har up, and have debts, and hus-
band that has gora to the dogs and
disappeared, and Goes not keep one
supplied with pocket money. But l
can still beat ths other women
thanks to my own ingenuity-and no
one knows but Ma :ie, who has eyes
like lynx. Heiglo!"
Lady Geraldine sighed, and settled
herself a little more comfortably in
her chair. She was not woman
whom one would naturally be en-
clined to pity, but she had her troubles.
Married young to Capt. Mauleverer,
80 Al, Lo ~xf
happiness, to be followed by two years
of estrangement and mutual re-
elimination. Capt. Mauleverer proved
bad bargain; bad in every sense of
the word, and when three years after
the marriage the discovery of a shady
transaction in which he was involved
compelled his flight from the coun-
try, Lady Geraldine found the liberty
thus gained decidedly agreeable. She
was clever, if not intellectual, and a
general favorite ct country houses.
She had inherited an income of some
eight hundred a year from an aunt
which enabled her to dress with some
extravaganza, and to keep up small
house near York, which had come to
her as bequest. Her most dearly be-
loved possession was an old family
heirloom, necklace of diamond, re-
set in the modern style, and worth so
much money that her friends had Of
ten demonstrated with her on keeping
them in the house with no one to de-
fend them but an elderly butler and
q 80 otI dr. 81,
however, laughed all such suggestions
to scorn. She was not a nervous wo-
man, and declared herself a match for
any burglar.
While Lady Geraldine sat comfort
ably reviewing her triumphs of the
evening, she heard on the soft carpet
behind her light football, and sup
posed it was her maid.
You had better put them away in
the safe, Marie" size said.
you are very kind said a mascu-
line voice, in low tones. THAT is ex-
actly what l propose to do. have
safe that will hold them admirably"
With slight shrek the lady turn
ed and saw, standing close behind her,
the figure of a tall man, dressed en-
tirely in black, and wearing a silk mask
which concealed the upper part of his
face In his right hand he held a sill
yer mounted pistol, the muzzle of
which was directed towards her heart.
Let me advise you not to make any
outcry," said the stranger, whose
gently modulated voice contrasted
oddly with his threatening attitude.
Il should be sorry to make any fuss
but l really cannot afford to have the
house aroused"
Lady Geraldine could certainly not
be called a nervous woman, and after
the first shock of surprise, she rallied
her faculties amazingly, and smiled,
while the color returned to her cheeks.
This is rather an uneeremonious
visit, isn't it?" she said. Gentlemen
for | gather from your voice that you
are gentlemen, and gentlemen do moi
| rule invade ladies' rooms with re-
volvers, and wearing nasks-may j
| ask what you want?"
believe me-" replied the intruder.
MY diamonds" cried the lady
surely you would Lot be so cruel al
to rob me OF my chisf charms?'
Pardon me" said the visitor, "only
| tine can do that"
Lady Geraldine l,ughed. For ar
avowed burglar" she said, you are
immensely polite T., rot fad II pays
in your profession? suppose it is use
full to wheedle servant girls, but yoy
see ! am not servant, and am proc
against fattery. A diamond necklac,
tor a compliment is rather too high {
price"
II do not exactly see" said the burg
leI, quite unruffled. "how you are going
to avoid it. Johnson is away, and there
are only two women besides yourself in
the house. think you had better make
/ the exchange with good grace
/ though l can realize that you do not
enjoy your position"
| Lady Geraldine looked keenly at the
man for few moments, and then, witt
her foot, pushed chair towards him
You are rather interesting" she
said. 'Sit down for few minutes
and let us talk. You will find cigar
cites in that case, and Meraschino II
] the cellaret."
The burglar took the chair Offered
/ him, bui dec'ined bnIh tobacco ans
liquor, or TIE ground that he nevel
+ smoke or drark III business hours.
/ Don't you fEd that mask rather un
Pleasantly stuGy?" inquired the lady
I'll Gu would Ike to take it off, don
Mid me In the ie ct
and have my description in the pa
Ter tomorrow" replied the burglar
"Ao. .haE.s ycu."