North Park union., 1900-02-23

3ubuu IuIhCu 8uAbtly WhlkCs Ah9Ss
have them" she gasped. my mother
needs the money to pay her rent II
she doesn't get 1t they will turn her
out into the street. and she's not
strong"
'She doesn't intend to try to sell the
ring-at least not yet" thought Mrs.
Robinson. "If give her her wages
she won't need to do 1t. and she'll send
1t back"
AS the old lady lay awake in the
middle of the night. the door was eau
tiously pushed open and Susan came
IN silently.
MRS. Robinson. are you awake!"
The question came in a terrified
whisper Susan's eyes were staring out
of her head. and her teeth were chat
tering.
what Is the matter. Susan!"
Master has gone up to the sarret
with a candle. think there Is some
thing wrong"
Mrs. Robinson came hastily over her
bed and followed Susan noiselessly
along the passage. A glimmer Of light
shone through the banisters above.
Mrs. Robinson saw that her brother
was coming downstairs. staring
straight ahead with his eyes dilated.
He approached as stately as wax
figure. and almost brushed against
them. The light of the candle fell full
on their white. upturned faces. as he
passed, but he took no notice of them.
Down the next fight of stairs he
went. his sister and Susan following,
for they wanted to see what he was
going to do. They lost sight OF him at
the foot OF the stairs. but soon heard
the door Of the coal cellar creaking on
its hinges. Stealing toward 1t they
peered through. He was inside work
ing a stone in the wall, which In few
moments he dislodged and set down
on the floor.
He next took an iron box out Of the
hole he had made, applied key to It,
raised the lid. and took some small
article out.
Then he replaced everything as 1t
had been before. and. carefully obliter-
ating all traces OF his operations, left
the cellar.
AS he passed his sister and Susan
they saw that he carried the lost ring
his left hand.
He then made his way toward his
sisters room. into which he disap-
peared for few seconds. Coming ou,
again he mounted the stairs In the d.
rection OF the garret.
Its no use following him." said
Mrs. Robinson. II know the key he
used and can get 1t in the morning"
Mr. John was coming down the gar
ret stairs again. and they both held
their breath in anxiety.
He came all right till he got abou,
halfway down. and then. whether one
of his heels interviewed tack or
| something, no one will ever know, but
/ all at once his legs shot out In front
of him and he went sailing down the
stairs, missing one step more at every
bump.
With the supernatural dexterity
which characterizes the somnambulist
he managed to keep the candle in al
the time, and now set 1t down in the
| lobby with a clank right-end up.
| r. JOHN TOSe Will ulS llCc QultS
serious. and without rubbing himsei
or anything. went along the passage
and disappeared into his own bedroom
1T is evidently not the first time hi
has walked in his Sleep" said the ole
lady. He must have visited the bo,
before. That is how the ring came II
be found. 1t must have dropped OF
the floor To think that l never hat
the slightest suspicion. Susan. car
you ever forgive me?"
"Yesm."
There, you see the ring on the toile
table, Just where l left 1t the night 4
went amissing." remarked Mrs. Robin
son. as they entered her bedroom. "Th'
lost diamonds are in the box which ii
hidden in the wall. saw them. Ge
to bed, and we'll see them in the morn
ing"
And they did see them. and a won
derful set of diamonds they were, A
beautiful. dazzling, shimmering neck
lace. and bracelets, end rings, all as Sc
forth in the inventory.
1t was really you who found them.
said Mrs. Robinson to Susan. land II
have them valued. and you'll get you
legal reward and more. I'll pay you
mothers rent as long as she lives. -
London Weekly Telegraph.