The Natchitoches enterprise., 1899-01-19
HER DIAMONDS.

business. waning III the ilDraFy-a
Nine. Otterburn.
Ny knife and fork were down in an
instant-a fatal, never forgotten in
slant Perhaps l alona knew that it was
madame's unexpected deposit of $780,,
900 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
and fascinating woman that had ever
swept through the bank doorway.
"Close the doorI" she whispered
quickly, then leaned across. Dear Mr.,
Henry. l had such vital reason for in
trrding so late. There, take themW p
She whiFked a battered morocco case
from her seal muff and sank back with
an indescribable relief.
"Thank heaven, now can dare to
breathel l trust you, ard-weIl, 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-mind-giye them up
to no one save myself in person. The
key-he1e. Mr.. Henry, aren't they
maddeningly superb?''
Ny lips parted simultaneously with
the lid. l stared down with sort of
sick feeling that had certainly never
experienced at sight of treble the value
of coin. There were few opals and a
little packet of seed pearls-but it was
the diamonds, a necklet and tiara Of
them. l snapped the lid and looked
across at madame incredulously Did
she mean it2
"Nct here-why, nor she exclaimed,
guessing. "To be lodged at the bank,
in the safe, you understand. Mr. Hen
ry, ii lny 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 p she sighed. 1T is his
temperament. but be would realize upon
himself, if he couldP'
"To be given mp to no one save your
self? Very good, you will lock it and
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-
ceipt."
/ was conscious all the evening of q
vague uneasinegs-l2 o'clock. My wife
had retired-the servants, also. 1t was
the queerest coincidence that l 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. Ottsrburnr' said just above
my breath.
"MeI' Looking past me, she said it
in dull, mumbling voice. II have
come for my jewels. Let me have them,
please"
Her carriage-where was it? And
madame herself, as she stepped past me
into the hall, seemed somehow differ
ent person. How? l could not sum it
ND 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, pleasep' 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, ?"
and I handed her the case.
"Thank you, thank you" AS she
said it 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 of without an
other word.
"Madamep' gasped. Her hand was
actually upon the door catch. "Really,
! must insist upon seeing you safely
home in the circumstances. If You will
wait one second'-
ran up the stairs for hat and boots
But / had barely reached my room
when heard the door below click and
close.
And it was not until had got back
to the smoking room that l recollected
l 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, 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
MIR. Henry About those troublesome
mining shares--should she sell or hold?
Hold, by all means. " | cat back,
with smile of relief. ''Er-I see /
need not ask as to whether you reached
home safely with your treasure Do