Evening journal., 1900-11-17
The Danvers Jewels

ApAA aRe g2tdsf1nE nnass VA gathered
up and shoveled back into The old brown
bag. He looked into il once with hungry
eyes, and then he pulled the string and
pushed II over 70 me. Take it, he said
Put it away now. Put it away" he
repeated, as I hesitated
put the bag into my pocket. He gave
long sigh as he watched it disappear.
Now what you have got to do with
that bag, he said a moment afterward.
lis to take it to Ralph Danvers. the sec
ond son of sir 0eorge Danvers, of Stoke
Moreton, in D--shire Sir George has
got two sons. have never seen him or
his sons, but I don't mean the eldest to
have them. He is spendthrift. They
are all for Ralph. who is steady fel-
low, and going to marry a nice girl-at
least suppose she is nice girl. Girls
who are going to be married always are
nice. Those jewels will sweeten matri-
mony for Mrs. Ralph and if she is like
other women it will need sweetening.
There, now you have got them and that
is what you have got 10 do with them
There is the address written on this
card. With my compliments, you per-
ceiye. Hel hel 1 don't suppose they will
remember who l am"
Have you no relations? | asked, for
l am always strongly Of opinion that
property should be beQueathed to rela-
tives, especially near relatives, rather
than to entire strangers.
"None" he replied, mot even poor re-
lations. have no deserving nephew or
Scotch cousin. If had they would be
here at this moment, smoothing the pill
low Of the departing saint and wonder
ing how much they would get You
may make your mind easy on that score, "
Then, who is this Ralph whom you
have never seen and to whom you are
leaving so muchy l asked, with my
usual desire for Information
He glared at me for moment. and
then he turned his face away.
"D-n it! What does it matter. now
I'm dying? he said. And then he added,
hoarsely. II knew his mother"
could not speak. but involuntarily |
put out my hand and took his leaden
one and held it. He scowled at me, and
then the words came out, as if in spite Of
himself:
Shelf she had married me who
knows, what might But she mar
ried Danyers. She called her second
son Ralph. My first name is Ralph.
Then, with a sudden change of tone.
pulling away his hand, There! now
you know all about it! Edifying, isn't
it: These deathbed scenes always have
an element Of interest, haven't they?
Good evening ringing the bell at his
elbow-"I can't say hope we shall
meet again; it would be impolite. No.
don't let me keep you. Good-by again.
"Good-by, Sir John" said taking
his impatient hand and shaking it gently;
God bless you"
"Thankee," grinned the old man with
a sardonic chuckle. IF anything could
do me good that will, I'm sure. Good
by"
AS l brealfasted next morning previ-
ously to my departure could not help
rejecting on the different position in
which was now returning to England
AS q colonel on long leave-to that in
which fhad M Il many, do ftJs care
to think how many, years ago, the
youngest ensign in the regiment.
1t was curious to remember that in ny
youth had always been considered the
fool Of the family: most uniustly SO con-
sidered. when ! look back at my quick
promotion owing 70 casualties, and at
my long and prosperous career in India.
which / cannot but regard rs the result
Of high principles and abilities, to say the
least Of it. Of not the meanest order. On
the point Of returning to England the
trust Sir John had, with his usual shrewd-
ness. reposen in me was al additional
proof. if proof We're needed, of the conf
dence | had inspired in him-a conf
dence which seemed to have ripened
suddenly ut the end of his life. after
many years Of hardly concealed mockery
and derision just as was finishing
my reflections and my breakfast Dickson.
one Of the last Joined subalterns. came in.
This is very awful, he said, 50 grave.
ly that | turned to look at him.
"What is awful"
Don't y5u know" he replied.
Haven't yoa heard about-Sir John
last night"
Deal asked.
! He nodded and then he said:
Murdered in the night. Cathcalt
heard a noise and went in and stumbled
over him on the tloor As he came in he
saw the lamp knocked over, and a figure
rush ont through the veranda. The
moon was bright AID he saw man run
across a clear space in the moonlight
tall. slightly built man in native dress,
bat not native, Cathcart said; that he
would take his oath on by his build.
He reused the house, but the man got
clean off. of course"
"And Sir Johng'
''Sir John was quite dead when Cath
cart got back to him. lie found him
lying ON his face. His arms were spread
out and his dressing gown was torn as
if he had struggled hard. His pockets
had been turned inside out, his writing
table drawers forced open, the whole
room had been ransacked Yet the old
mans gold watch had not been touched,
and some money in one Of the drawers