The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-21


to enter, through rear window appar
emily, the quarters Of Major Barry,
where a night light burned dimly al.
through the hours of darkness. and had
carried away the basket Of household
silver secreted under Mrs. Barry's bed
and the jewelry from her toilet stand
They must have looked with covetous
eyes on the beautiful rings that adorned
her slender fingers, but thought best not
to attempt that-or did they even dare
make that essay? Mrs. Barry was
aroused from unusually deep slumber
by the sensation that some one had lifted
her hand from the counterpart, found
herself in darkness, her night lamp
smoking as though recently extin-
guished, heard the boards creaking in
the parlor Or hall and had asked, "ts
that you, Nathaliei" and receiving no
response believed it all imagination,
and. wondering what made her so
drowsy, had slept heavily until aroused
by the servant in the morning with the
startling announcement that the silver
and her jewelry were gone. Then
Nathalie came rushing down the stairs
wide eyed and deathly white, had
glanced almost in horror at the empty
basket which the cook had brought in
from the back yard and had then thrown
herself upon her knees at the foot Of the
bed and burst into an agony Of tears
And before visiting the Barrys' the
professionals had called at Gregg's and
Freeman's, carrying off watch, some
silver and many trinkets from each and
never even disturbing the healthful
slumbers Of the occupants. Captain
Gregg's desk was forced and about 500
in treasury notes had disappeared, but
most Of Mrs. Freeman's silver and mon
ey were safe In the bank. She never
entertained" when her lord was in the
field, and this proved her salvation.
But the gentle little woman was sorely
grieved over the loss Of her beautiful
watch, which always lay at night on
the little stand by the head Of her bed.
AS for Mrs. Gregg, her grief was almost
tragic. Two young ladies from town
were her gueAs at the time. They were
sleeping together in the room adjoining
hers. Nothing Of theirs was disturbed,
while her watch, rings, bracelets, lock-
ct, pins and heaven knows how much
frumpery, together with every ounce of
the household silver, had been spirited
off. The foolish matron had not thought
of such possibility as this She loved
display, and even their recent reverses
had taught no lesson of permanent value.
Hardly had Mrs. Barry been told of
her loss-she was still in half Devil.
dered state, passing her hand over her
heavy eyelids and striving to rouse her.
self from the stupor that seemed to over.
come her-when there came violent
bang at the front door, and Mrs. Turner
bounced into the hall. Catching sight
Of Nathalie at the foot Of the bed, she |
plunged impetuously into the room.
Mrs. Barry, Mrs. Barryl Have you
heard the news?" she cried. MRS.
Gregg and Mrs. Freeman have been
robbed Of every earthly thing they own.
Why, what's the matter-you too? And
Miss Baird? Oh, I'm so sorryl And you
heard nothing-you suspect nobody"
And under cover Of the volley of ques-
lions addressed to the lady of the house
by her excited visitor Nathalie stole,
from the room. When Mrs.
Turner would have questioned her, the
girl was gone.
Even in the excitement and shock
consequent upon the discovery of her
own losses Mrs Barry had noticed
extreme agitation and her
escape from the room. When, therefore,
Mrs. Turner's eyes dilsted with eager
and she began rapid queries as
to the cause Of Nathalie's sudden exit,
the lady was quite prepared to parry.
Nathalie has only been able to leave
her bed within the last two days, Mrs.
Turner. You know she's been wretched-
y ill, and she is still so weak and perv-
JUS that Bridget's sudden and exciting
shocked her greatly"
"The poor child" cried Mrs. Turner.
DO let me go up to her and see if I
'annot do something for her,
Better not" answered Mrs Barry.
1--WE found Nathalie always more rap.
dly RECEIVERS when left to herself. You
an do something for me, though" she
lurried on, anxious to silence further
and to rid herself Of an i'm.
fortunate guest who was very much in
he way. Twill you ask Captain Wal.
ers to come to see me this morning and
drs Stannard to join mo as soon as she
am"
why, of course. Mrs. Bary-any.
hing you wish. But haven't begun to
ell you about the robbery yet. Just
hink OF it'll All Mrs. Gregg's silver is
one as we'll as all her lovely rings and I
hings. 1t seems like Judgment on her
Or being so careless. I'm sure Captain
iregg has warned her a dozen times
OF to leave her valuables about. Don't
on think sop
"That it was Judgment on her, Mrs.
urner? Well, if upon her why not up
Il me?"
"Oh, but you didn't lose half what ,
he did Besides, you're very different
That did they take from you? Not those
eavenly sapphires, I'm glad to see."
nd Mrs. Turner's pretty, empty head
as twisting in every direction in her
sgerness to appraise the loss. 6
"No, not my rings, but q basket Of J
liver that we valued for old times
Ike and some loose trinkets from the
lreau. l fear it's gone for good." said I
le kind hearted woman, with sigh, G
yet how much greater is Mrs. Gregg's U
ssl I'm so sorry for herr'
"Oh, go am l, and not man here Of
II regiment to help in any way except 3
r. Maynard, and he's half invalid yet n
I'd a mere boy" Disparagement Of
aynard in Mrs. Turner's liquid drawl
I'd followed speedily upon his defeo-
On. Finally, finding that Nathalie 4
ouldn't come down so long as she re.
aimed and that Mrs. Barry would not
courage her to go up, Mrs. Turner
'stened away in hopes of breaking the
TVS elsewhere. She looked wistfully
to Mrs Gregg's open doorway as she .
stened down the row and longed to
ter and to ascertain what was really y
n extent of her loss and xybotbor che