The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1904-08-18
HER FATHERS THEFT

The famous Champion diamond
threw back the light from its many
facets. and strange, brilliant colors
shot from its depths. II was the finest
stone had ever seen in my life.
! was particularly pleased with my
design for the setting No ether hand
had touched it, and | felt that the
frame. so to speak. was worthy of the
picture.
The ring, now that it was finished.
was fit even to adorn the hand OF
Gwendolen Forrest. the beauty and
heiress OF the season. But | did not
envy young Mr.. Champion his fiauce:
in my own Nell l had a girl as good
and as pretty as any in the land
was about to take the ring to
Mr.. Nugent when Nell herself ran in
She was my employers daughter. and
his private house was upstairs over
the large showroom in Clifford street.
1t was against all custom for Nell to
come down to my workshop. for her
father disapproved our engagement.
But today she had not been able to
resist the temptation of having peep
dt tne CHAMPION diamond.
Just as she slipped it on her finger
and was dancing about. twisting her
hand that the marvellous stone might
catch the light. the door opened and
Mr.. Nugent entered. / prepared to
defend Nell from Il harsh reprimand.
but none came. Her father appeared
oddly pre-Occupied, merely took the
ring from her, examined II earnestly
and. swapping the lid of the case upon
1t. placed it in his pocket and walked
away.
Next day was sitting at work when
] saw 4 hanson drive up and Mr.
Champion jumped out. He came
hastily into the show room. which ad-
Joined the one where | was Sitting,
and where Mr. Nugent was.
"Scouadrel!" / heard him say. and
could scarcely believe my ears you
thought to fool he easily by a false
stone. but / am as good a judge of jew,
els as you are. You are thief, sir!
What have you done with the diamond
| intrustcd to you?"
Mr.. NuSent answered in n lower
tone. What he said could not have
made any great Impression upon Mr..
Champion. however, for he impatiently
Interrupted. and at last an ominous
threat concerning the police" reached
my ears.
sat still. understood well that
SIR. Crampton had deliberately ac-
Dused my employer ot trying to palm
on upon HIM an imitation diamond. yet
/ knew that l had set the true stone
and delivered 1t to Mr.. Nugent only
yesterday
My employer hin, self was a skilled
workman. though not a good designer.
and in the time that h.i elapsed be-
tween my handing him the ring and
his transferring il to ,he owner he
gould Eavc removed the s'Dl.e and re-
placed IL by another. But for such
bold trick to succeed InG imitation
must be magn!fceatly made. and the
original diamond must have been care
fully measured
As | thus Spocula;cd Oh .he aBtound-
ing accusation. Mr.. Nusent himself
opened the door of the wori, lie
l'IoC<ed keenly at ne. as II wondering
III IL would be safe to trust ME.
Did you hear anything of what
pSsstu III tHe next room nc QuCS-
toned.
] admitted that hId
"Of course. / shall he riumphantly
acquitted" he Announces. clearing his
throat nusiNly as he spoke. still
Nj. Champion can make things die.
agreeable. And. look here. Wade. I
have always been as friendly to you as
] might but | can trust you You'll
be an important witness. DO what
you can for me. for the girls sake"
The words sounded strange. but was
not gwen time to answer. for at that
moment MIR. Champion returned with
two Scotland Yard men. My employer
was gwen into custody and taken to
the police stal!un To be charged tha
hcteetives remaining TO search tho
premises.
Late in The evening they clme to me
In the workroom. and. holding out The
ring that | had made for Mr.. Cramp-
ton. one oI them said