The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-09

groom and my page sleep out of the
house and may be set aside altogether.
I have three maid-servants who have
been with me a number of years and
whose absolute reliability is quite above
suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr, the sec
ond waiting-1naid, has only been in my
service few months. She came with
an excellent character, however,, and
has always given me satisfaction. She
is very pretty girl and has attracted
admirers who have occasionally hung
about the place. That is the only draw
back which we have found to her, but
we believe her to be thoroly good girl
in every way.
$50 much for the servants. My fam
lily itself is so small that it will not
take me long to describe it. I am
widower, and have an only son, Arthur.
He has been disappointment to me,
Mr.. Holmes-a grievous disappoint-
ment. have no doubt that am my
self to blame. People tell me that I
have spoiled him. Very likely I have.
When my dear wife died I felt that
| he was all L had to love. l could not
bear to see the smile fade even for a
| moment from his face. I have never
denied him a wish. Perhaps it would
have been better for both of us had I
been sterner, but I meant it for the
best. -'N a.
| cit was naturally my inten.
ton that he should succeed me
in my business, but he not Of business
turn. He was wild, hayward, and, to speak
! the truth, could not trust him in the handl
ing of large sums Of money. When. he was
| young he became q member Of an aristocratic
club, and there, having charming manners, he
was soon the inmate of number of men with
long purses and expensive habits. He learned
to play heavily at cards and to squander money
on the turf, until he had again and again to
come to me and implore to give him an ad-
vance upon his allowance that he might settle
his debts of honor. He tried more than once
to break away from the dangerous company
which he was keeping but each time the in
duence of his FRIEND Sir George Burnwell, was
y q
| "And indeed I could not wonder that such
a man as Sir George Burnwell should gain an
influence over, him, for he has frequently
brought him to my house, and / have found
myself that could hardly resist the fascina-
ton of his manner. He is older than Arthur, a
man of the world to his fnger-tips, who
had been everywhere, seen everything, bril-
liant talker, and a man Of great personal beau
ty. Yet when I. think of him in cold blood,
far away from the glamor of his presence, I
am convinced from his cynical speech, and the
look which 1 have caught in his eyes, that he
is one who should be deeply dstrusted. So I
think, and so, too, thinks my little Mary, who
has woman's quick insight into character.
''And now there is only she to be described.
She is my niece; but when my brother died
five years ago and left her alone in the world
I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever
since my daughter. She is sunbeam in my
house-sweet, loving, beautiful, a wonderful
manager and housekeeper, yet tender and quiet
and gentle as u woman could be. She is my
right hand. do not know what 1 could dc
without her. In only one matter has she
ever gone against my wishes. Twice my boy
has asked her to marry him, for he loves hel
devotedly, but each time she has refused him
I think that If anyone could have drawn hin
into the right path it would have been she
and that his marriage might have changed his
whole life; but now, alas! it Is too late
forever too late!
Nov, Mr.. Holmes, you know the people VIII,
live under my roof and 1 shall continue will
r my miserable story.
''When we were taking coffee in the draw
L g.
thur and Mary my experience, and of the pre-
c1ous treasure which I had under our roof
suppressing only the name of my client. Luc.
T. Parr, who had brought In the coffee, had, l an
sure, left the room; but I cannot swear tina
the door closed. Mary and Arthur wer
= much interested and wished to see the famou
. coronet, but I thought it better not to dis
turb it.
Where have you put it? asked Arthur.
s " In my own bureau
|, "'Well. hope to goodness the house won
t be burgled during the night" said he.
v at is locked up 1 answered.
= "'oh, any old key will fit that bureau. Whe
j., was youngster I have opened it myself wit
- the key of the bedroom cupboard
. "He often had way of talking, so that
u thought little of what he said. He followe
l. Inc to my room, however,. that night with
y very grave face ..... .
n 90 Look here, dad said he, with his eye
cast down, can you let me have &2O0"
, "'No, I cannot! I answered, sharply.
have been far too generous with you in none
= matters s ILL.,.
= as You have been very kind said he; 'bu
. I must have this money, or else I neve
IS show my face inside the club again.
f "'And a very good thing, too cried.
l. dishonored man, said. he. I could not bea
"a the disgrace I must raise the money in som
. way and if you will not let me have it, the
I must try other MEANS
=. II was angry, for this was the third d.
u mand during the MONTH you shall not hay
a farthing from me-, I cried; on which /
t. bowed and left the room without another wor,
e when he had gone I unlocked my burea,
j. made that my treasure safe, ar
" locked it again. Then l started to go rou1
the house to that all secure--a du1
which I usually leave to Mary, but which
IL thought it we'll to perform myself that nigh
10 AS came down the stairs I saw Mary herse
d at the side window in the hall, which 81
Il closed and fastened as I approached
thought, little disturbed, did you give LUG
=, the maid leave to go out tonight?'
= :" Certainly not