The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-12-15
HER DIAMONDS.

"Sirl Lady to see you on most urgent
business. Waiting in the library-a
| Mime. Otterburn."
Ny knife and fork were down in an
| instant-a fatal, never forgotten in.
slant. Perhaps | alone knew that it was
madame's unexpected deposit of $500,
00O which not so long before had saved
the collapse of our private concern by
| the most thrilling margin. And madame
! herself was-well, the most impressive
ana fascinating woman that had ever
swept through the bank doorway.
"Close the doorl'' she whispered
quickly. then leaned across dear MIR
Henry, had such vital reason for in
trnding so late. There, take them =
She whisked battered morocco case
from her seal mutf and sank back with
an indescri bable relief
THANK heaven, now | can dare TO
breathe! l trust you, and-well, you
may have guessed by this that am not
so sure of my husband Deeds? No,
they re part of the family jewels My
aunt is dead. you know and they only
came into my hands today. came here
like the wind. Look for yourself Lock
them away, and ind-give them up
to no one save myself in person. The
key-here. Mr. Henry. aren't they
maddeningly superb?"
My lips parted simultaneously with
the lid. l stared down with Il sort of
sick feeling that had certainly never
i = ~. a.
of coin. There were few opals and a
little packet of seed pearls-but it was
the diamonds, a necklet and a tiara of
them. snapped the lid and looked
across at madame incredulously Did
she mean it?
Not here--why, nor she exclaimed,
guessing. ITO be lodged at the bank,
in the safe, you understand Mr.. Hen
ry, il my husband had the barest idea,
he would come flying back from his
shooting in Scotland at once, so place
them with you in case of anything.
Poor Otterburn!" she sighed. at is his
temperament but he would realize upon
himself, if he couldl"
ITO be given up to no one save your
self? Very good, you will lock it an.
retain the key, please. Till morning
yes, for the time being they ought to
be safe enough in this cabinet One
moment, madame. You must have re-
oeipt."
l was conscious all the evening Of
vague uneasiness-12 O'Clock. My wife
had retired-the servants also. 1t was
the queerest coincidence that decided
to smoke another cigar in solitude, and
that the weed burned for nearly an
hour, for just at the end of that time
the strangest thing happened,
The hall bell gave an uncertain tinkle.
So down l went, turned on the electric
switch there, opened the door-and
there stood
"Mme. Otterburnl' said just above
my breath.
me! !" Looking past me, she said it
in q. dull, mumbling voice. 81 have
come for my jewels. Let me have them
please. -
Her oarriage-where was it? And
mazda anne herself, as she stepped past me
into the hall, seemed somehow differ
emit person. Howl could not sum it
up till afterward, but the richness was
missing from her voice, she was strange
ly white and haggard and she stared
ahead as if some nameless trouble had
overtaken her in that six hour interval
Could it be-no, it was madame herself
my jewels, pleasel" she repeated
just a break in her dull voice. HE
says-he says am to bring them back
or something will happen. must. "
She followed me into the library.
"There, madame just as you left them, y
and i handed her the case
"Thank you, thank you. AS she
said it l noticed striking fact; Her
teeth were gone-the two white rows /
had often admired. False then. That
explained the alteration in her voice
But she was moving off without an
other word
Madame!" gasped Her hand was
actually upon the door catch. Really,
l must insist upon seeing you safely
home in the circumstances. II you will
wait one second"-
ran up the stairs for hat and boots
But had barely reached my room
when 1 heard the door below click and
close.
And it was not until had got back
to the smoking room that l reoolected
I'had actually omitted to ask her for
the return of that receipt.
A week passed. | had heard nothing
of madame or her jewels. Another
week. When at last she was announced
one morning, l felt positively nervous
for the moment. Then in she swept,
her teeth as white, her step as stately,
her smile as fascinating as ever. Dear
Mr.. Henry About those troublesome
mining shares-should she sell or hold?
"Hold, by all means" l sat back,