Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-07-04

WY II + QueGfeSI things tudI uap-
pen never find their way into
the newspapers. 1t is diff
fcuit to say why; perhaps it
is because they are too queer. For in
stance, l doubt if you have ever heard
of a strange incident that happened
only season or two ago in that select
section of the fashionable world
known as society"
A lady Of title, Lady yarmouth, re-
0uested me to call on her one morning
about the beginning Of June, the Lon
don Season being then at it's height.
Il want your help, MI. Love-" she
began, \and then stopped awkwardly.
'Perhapa you are not aware that at
several balls and dinner parties this
season theye have been jewels and
ornaments stolen. It has, Of course,
caused sreat deal Of unpleasantness.
In several cases trinkets have even
been actually taken from the Wearers
without their knowing how it was
done or who did it,
had heard saverel wild tales OF
articles having been Nnissed at fash
ionable gatherings, ana there was
much speculation as toNwho was the
culpIit. The articles WIRE not, as a
rule, Of immense value, and they al
ways disappeared singIy, consequent
" no public notice had been-diaeete-
to the matter. In one or two cases
the police had been consulted, but il
was impossible for them to help. There
could be no doubt that the thief was
a person who mixed in society as al
equal, probably woman who had al
lowed her love of jeWeEy to temp1
her to dishonesty.
Il presume, then, that the-er-thie.
is q guest-a person in society?'' sale
inquiringly.
Il am afraid so. Two or thre,
things were missed at a dance whicl
gave last week. Now, I am giyin:
another dance next Thursday, and
am, Of course, most anxious it shoul
not occur again, at any rate in N,
house. thought would engage you
services for the evening, to see if yo1
detect anything suspicious. Of course
you would be treated as a guest
We made arrangements about terms
and it was agreed that should be il
froduced as an American, by nam
Captain Burke
I suppose, Lady Barmouth,' sal
c'relessly, 'you don't suspect anybod
In particular?'
On, no. she said, but I notice
@nat | thought was q look Of anxiet
on her face, and made mental not
pf it.
AS l was leaving, Lady Barmout
said: "Of course, Mr.. Lowe. yo
quite understand, there must be Z
expose If you make any discoverie
'nev must be treated as secrets.
can't have a scene of any kind.
must be hushed up"
returned to the Office impresse
with two ideas. First, that nv tas
was one Of those delicate cases th:
require all your tact and yield very Ii
ue credit; secondly, that Lady Ea
louth knew more, OR at any rat
GUESSED more, than she cared to tell.
thursday evening arrived, and
went to Merton house. Practical
ny duty was to mingle with IL
suests, enjoy myself and keep my ey
woe open. Nothing seemed to be mo
I improbable than that there should
thief among the brilliant thro,
'nat crowded the rooms. Everyth:1
vas conducted in the most summit
II ,os ana luxurious style, Hungari;
'ald dlscoursed the sweetest of Gan
aiuslc, and the guests were among +
Ashest in the land.
d foT long while nothing occ,rr
:, lae smallest significance. But
I ooo' : clock in the morning, wher
vas sitting in a snug corner OF t
: conservatory, where cigarette sme
10; s was permitted, noticed coaJ
q nm ~Ae up position in the opposite c.
1hey were both young, and e
ons 10y very much in love with o
auotler. The girl was handsom,
a,eSsed and wore some valuable ia
II d;S IN particular I noticed a pai;.
~. ;niohd eardrops which had lust CO..
oo, 1asnlon again. Without being
~ SoAnolsseur of precious stones. :,
& s.s'and thas them well enough to kn,
". .n, .hese were very valuable inde
du da' lihely to be worth several h,
ored pounds. 80 ~
eSe TWO young people were sittj