The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-07-14
THE $4,000 DIAMOND.

exquisite diamond glittering in my
chiefs hand. I could scarcely be
ljeve that / was to have the honor O
bearing it to its destination.
"But it is perfectly true" averret
Mr.. GLORY. head of the firm of emf
nent London jewelers.. LET me tel
you, Mr.. Johnson, that you have
won our confidence. Yes, sir, we
trust you implicitly. You don't sup
pose that we should let you have
charge of twenty thousand pound
stone if we didn't, eh? Now, all
you have to do is to deliver it safely
into the hands of Silas P. Silsbury,
the New York millionaire. If you
fail-but, pshaw! we will not think
of such a thing"
Then he took from his escritoire a
leathern belt, which had a specially
constructed pocket in the center.
Into this pocket he thrust the dia.
mond. after having wrapped it round
and round with washleather. Lock.
ing the pocket he placed the key in
my hand, saying:
"For the present I will fasten the
belt outside your vest, and your coat
and overcoat will protect it. But
when you get home place it beneath
your vest, and do not let it leave you
night or day.
The clock was striking 6 as ]
reached the street. I occupied my
self for some time making sundry
purchases, among them being a re.
volver, which / sincerely hoped ]
should have no occasion to use. ]
had a bag with me, and into this 1
packed my purchases.
1t was getting on for 8 O'Clock
when I had finished shopping, and,
jumped on a Battersea bus gave
myself up to thoughts of my 6ancee
to whose home I was now journey
ing. was going to tell her about
the jewel, and her only.
Mary Hampden was a girl Of
whom any man might be proud, and
l counted the winning of her as the
most blessed circumstance in my
life.
Mary was busily engaged sewing
when 1 was shown into her presence,
but when she saw me she hastily put
down her work and rose to her feet
with an exclamation of pleasure.
We had exchanged but a few words
when, with a. woman's quick intui-
ton, she said:
Something has happened, Tom?'
"You are not at fault, Mary" ]
said. "But that which has happened
is so wonderful that scarcely think
you will be able to credit it when ]
tell it to you."
"Then don't keep me waiting
long," she said. with a laugh.
l did not keep her waiting long
She listened attentively to all I had
to say, and when l had finished, she
said:
MAY see the jewel, dear?
said YES" and Withdrawing il
from its receptacle handed it tC
her.
She unfolded the leather and gazec
long and earnestly at the glitterins
thing, then she slowly recovered i
and restored it 10 me with an air @
such evident reluctance that 1 hao
much difficulty in repressing :
smile.
"What have you in that bag
Tom?" she inquired, as I rose to de
part.
"All sorts," 1 answered, careless
ly. "a revolver, for one thing !!
Her face paled.
''Is it necessary to take it?" sh'
asked.
"Well, there's nothing like being
prepared for emergencies" l said.
Heaven grant that you may
never have any occasion to use it
Tom p
So we parted, Mary forcing i;
smile, albeit her face was still pale
and her eyes anxious.
Soon 1 was on the outside pave
ment, underneath the silent stars
and the cool night wind was BLOWN,
on my face. While passing through
the hall l had noticed that the clocl
registered 1918.
Ny chief thoughts were of Mary
Our interview had made a great i'm
preston on my mind, and ever.
word she had spoken was indelibl.
impressed on my memory, every ex
preston her face had worn was fresl
before my eyes. For her sake, M
less than my own, hoped to be sue
cessful in my errand.
l had reached lonely part of M,
way, when, suddenly, a dark igur
sprang up on either side of me;
third appeared at my back. Befor
1 had time to dart forward, or evel
to utter cry, my arms were piniou
ed and hand was thrust over m,
mouth. Struggle did, desperately
but my strength was unavailing, pit
ted against the strength of three
1 was brought to the ground ant
held fast down.
"The bag? Where is the bag p
cried one of my assailnnts in cage
tones.
Ny hopes rose, but were quickl
dashed.
"Fool!" said another voice.
started. 1t was the voice of Hami
ton, my fellow clerk. 1 had Away
thought he was bad lot. "Fool
there's nothing of any value in th
bag. He's got the stone in a bel
round his waist. Turn him owe
and we'll soon relieve him of il