The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-05-10
THE BLACK DIAMOND.

az 6AANA IL AN1OiND.
-:.S '.f&. i.
Well, of all the extraordinary letters 1.
as a medical man. had ever received this
one certainly deserved chief honors. Once
again l picked up the envelope and
glanced at the writing, only to find it was
the work of the same hand that had
penned the letter. allowed my break
fast to become cold. and read the strange
epistle for the tenth time:
Dear Will: Can you loan ME couple OF
money somehow before this day month.
SO # you could help ME out l should be ex-
dale has fallen hopelessly in love with that
ugly little vixen. Dorothy Fleming, 50
there are no possibilities for Violet in that
quarter at any rate. Do you think some
quest? It's absurd, that clause about the
title: the more so. now that Violet loves
Nithdcle: and I don't believe anything on
earth will persuade her that there are as
good fish in the sea as ever came out of 1t.
OF course she hasn't ghost of a chance.
fortune and the man she loves. However.
ball which she foolshly believes might
mean something. r. S. Y. P. as soon as
possible. Yours. etc, Frank Rayne.
Although Rayne and his only. daugh-
ter Violet, were among my best patients,
1ifailed to see his reason for writing to
me in this strain. He had never even
limited at such a thing as loan before,
and now-.yes, there could be no doubt
but that the letter was for me- 1t bore
my name distinctly in his own handwrit-
ing. and he addressed me as "Will,''
which he frequently did in conversat ton.
At length l gave up the quest Of a suit
able solution, and going to my bureau
penned short note to Rayne acknowl-
edging his letter. and saving I was sorry
]. could not comply with his request. and
in a moment Of irritation added that I
considered it a greater one than he had
any reasonable right to ask. This done,
i sealed the envelope and dropped it into
the pillar-box, we'll aware that sooner or
later should discover the motive of his
strange appeal. 1t was not unlikely that
dale,s ball. III which case we should meet,
for also should be there.
II.
There was not the slightest doubt that
Violet Rayne was the belle of the even
ing. Her beauty caught and fascinated
everyone: even Lord Nithdale could not
resist her charms, for now and gain lie
would cast q fnztize- glance in diree
.'Hullo, old fellow, how are ., ygo,uI?S Clad eli
you've come. I was afraid the halt and
the lame would prevent your turning up
Good evening, Nithdale,". l replied,
grasping the extended hand Of friendship.
Come along, l want to introduce YOU
to great friend of mine.'' He led the
way, and l followed him through the
brilliant throng as he endeavored to find
the person alluded to. Il suppose she's in
the ante-room, looking at the black dia-
mond." he added
What black diamond?"
oh! haven't you seen it? 1 don't ex-
pect you have: It's just about a fine
stone: l can tell you. 1 picked it up in
Brazil for mere song. considering that
I've been offered 10000 for it since my
return. believe the Raynes are the only
people here who saw it before this even
ing, for | only had it brought from the
bank a few days ago. in order that my
guests should see that Dorothy Fleming
isn't going to marry a pauper, at any
rate"
We entered a small chamber where a
bevy Of smartly-dressed men and women
had gathered round the case that held the
stone. | glanced over their shoulders and
be6eld what believe to be the most mag
nificent gem l had ever set eyes upon, as
it lay under glass lid with the electric
lights playing athwart its many facets.
just as l was.lost in wonder at the spec
tacular beauty of the diamond hand
lightly touched my sleeve, and I turned to
confront lady whom Nithdale forthwith
introduced to me as Miss Dorothy Elem
ing:
The evening passed all too quickly, and
night began to merge into morning Once
l caught a glimpse of Rayne as he hur.
ried by me, and throwing a cold glance
at me as he turned away. This, though
unexpected, was scarcely disappearing
but later. when l begged waltz from
his lovely daughter, she replied CURLY
struck up the final dance, Nithdale came
into the room, a CHASTITY pal]or on his
face. and rushed to where 1 stood.
Come quickly-the black diamond-it
Is stolen!" he gasped, and without reply.
ing l hurried after him into the adioin.
ing chamber. There stood the case, but
the glass cover had been broken in and
the stone was gone!
Send for the police at once,'' he called
to footman who was standing open.
mouthed by the door, Now. Provost
You go back to the ballroom and an.
nounce two extra dances. We must keen
everyone here at all COSTS
fashion, for the holiness of the thief had
plqued every ones curiosity, and when .
few minutes later Nithdale reappea red
between the heavy curtains that snr.
rounded the door he was ,mmet1iate'y as.
sailed: as had been, by an eager crowd
MISS flemlng was among the first at his
side, but he ignored the questions she nnt
to him and held up his hand to Command
silence.
Il am sorry 70 tell you" he began IN
clear voice. unaiioyed by any ,susnic;on
of emotion, that thief has VISITED thu
house tonight. The. black diamond has
been stolenv' A"'
Explanations Of horror ran around tho
tons. aues-
All the servants have been searched
but without success he continued wha,,
the murmurs had subsidized Somewhat
therefore. can anyone assist the naI;cc
and myself by informing me when INC
stone was last seen in the casey' &c
For a moment there ensued dead i.
lence; then one by one those who ha.,
been in the adjoining room during the
previous two hours began to narrate
their experiences. - ''' :
$ u was there half an hour ago. and rho
stone was still in the CASE volunteered
Rayne. =. =. = - e =.
But I've been there SINCE shroka =
lhrothy Fleming. Il left nv handka-.
chief on the table. and went back to
fetch it. The stone was in the: case. hnt
my handkerchief had disappeared. IA