The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-28
D1lOId Cut DI0n|O11.

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 a
magnificent necklace Of diamonds.
Lady Geraldine had Just rel urned
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 l do
without you? And to think how near
ly I was to having to give up wearing
diamonds. What Q nuisance 1t Is to
be har up, and have debts, and a hus-
band that has gore to the dogs and
disappeared, and does not keep one
supplied with pocket money. But l
can still beat the other women
thanks to my own ingenuity-and no
one knows but Marie, who has eyes
like lynx. Heigho!"
Lady Geraldine sighed, and settled
herself little more comfortably in
her chair. She was not woman
whom one would naturally be en-
clined to pity, but she had hertroubles.
Married young to Capt. Mauleverer,
Of the Blues, she had spent year Of
happiness, to be followed by two years
Of estrangement and mutual re-
elimination. Capt. Mauleverer proved
a bad bargain; bad in every sense Of
the word, and when three years after
the marriage the discovery of 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
general favorite at country houses.
She had inherited an income Of some
eight hundred 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, a 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
a couple Of maids. Lady Geraldine,
however, laughed all such suggestions
to scorn. She was not nervous wo-
man, and declared herself 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 1t was her maid.
You had better put them away in
the safe, Marie" she said.
you are very kind" said a mascu-
line voice, in low tones. That is ex-
actly what I propose to do. have
a safe that will hold them admirably"
With a slight shrek the lady turn
ed and saw, standing close behind her,
the figure of 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 sill
yer mounted pistol the muzzle of
which was directed towards her heart
"Le! me advise you not to make any
outcly," said the stranger, whose
gently modulated voice contrasted
oddly with his threatening attitude.
81 should be sorry to make any fuss
but really cannot afford to have the
house aroused"
Lady Geraldine could certainly not
be called 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 unceremonious
visit, isn't it," she said. Gentlemen
for gather from your voice that you
are gentlemen, and gentlemen do not
a rule invade ladies' rooms with re-
volvers, and wearing masks--may /
ask what you want?'
II want your diamonds, nothing else,
believe me-" replied the intruder.
MY diamonds?" cried the lady,
"surely you would not be so cruel as
to rob me Of my chief charms?"
Pardon me-" said the visitor, "only
time can do that"
Lady Geraldine laughed. For an
avowed burglar" she said, you are
immensely polite. Do not find it pays
In your profession? Isuppose 1t is USE
full to wheedle servant girls, but you
see am not servant, and am proof
against fattery. A. diamond necklace
for compliment IL rather too high .
price," -.--,5m
II do not exactly see," said the burg
Ter, quite unrutfied, how you are going
to avoid 1t. Johnson Is away, and there
are only two women besides yourself in
tie house. think you had better make