The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-07-19
-yu THE SOUTHBURY ROBBERY. -

Hunt Steeplechase meeting. and the
Old Red Lion, Southbury. was packed
with hunting men and their parties.
There we're the Earl and Countess Of
Woodmansterne, Niscount ana Wis
countess Morden, Sir Jocelyn and
Lady Tamworth. General Wynn-Par-
sons and Mrs. Wynn-Parsons the Dow
ager Lady Titcombe, and Mr.. and Mrs.
CYRUS Beddington, Il wealthy couple,
who had taken a hunting box in the
Southbury country for the season, and,
by their lavish hospitality had made
themselves very popular in the local
society.
Now Mrs. Beddngton had some ex-
ceptionally fine diamonds. of which SHE
was pardonably proud. But they were
also source of considerable anxiety
to her. inasmuch as she lived in CON
slant fear Of having them stolen.
On the present OCCASION coming
down to Southbury from London,
where she had been staying few
days, she had fright of this descrip-
ton. which upset her 4 good deal, and
Of which she gave her guests graphic
particulars at dinner that evening.
She had noticed Il tall wel-dressed
man, of rather sinister expression, fol-
lowing her about on the platform Mt
Euston while she was waiting for her
train, aDS she felt intuitiyely that he
had designs upon her jewel case. This
impression was strengthened when,
finding herself momentarily in crowd,
she was jostled by somebody, and,
turning quickly round, recognized the
same suspicious indlyiduals And it
was absolutely confirmed in the course
of her journey when she noticed him
standing in the corridor just outside
her compartment, with his eyes fixed
uOpn her.
II can't tell you what a feeling it
gave me when l saw him there" she
said with a little shudder. "It seemed
to send the cold creeps all down my
back, and though there were several
other people in the carriage | was so
frightened that | was half-minded to
call the guard; only l recollected that
couldn't prove anything against the
man"
81 should think not, my dear" in
terposed her matter-of- fact husband,
laughing the incident aside with good
humored contempt. "If you had done
anything so foolish you might have
found yourself in serious hot water
For ! have little doubt that you were
merely the victim Of your own nervous
fancy, and that the man in question
was Il perfectly harmless and respect
able member of society"
Indeed. but / am absolutely certain
he was nothing OF the kind" replied
Mrs. Beddington, with conviction.
And If you had been there, Cyrus, and
mad taken note of his appearance and
MS behavior, You must have formed
the same conclusion as / did "
tell you, | know the man was shad-
owing me. and that he was after my
diamonds. I don't think he'd even
nave stuck at--at-violence. to effect
MS purpose" she added with shud-
der, 'and-well, haven't got over the
horrible fright he gave me yet"
The lady's demeanor fully testified
TO the truth Of this statement, her face
looking pale and harassed
You may think it very silly of me. y
she went on. with a hysterical laugh
nut have a presentlment that ]
havent seen the last of that man
either. And, Cyrus, do hope you
won't sit up very late in the smoking
room tonight, for shall be quite in q
revert know | shall-until you come
up stairs to keep me company"
'Tut-tut, my dear. Don't give way
10 these foolish fances," replied hel
husband. Il should imagine that, by
thls time, your sinister acqualntanc,
Is probably we'll on his way to Edin
burgh."
The lady more or less recovered hel
cohposure. But IL was evident tha
she was still by no means herself. ant
that she was only retaining her plac,
at the head Of the dinner table by M
chort. BY and by she collapsed alto
gether, and instead of sitting nm I,
witness the full-dress rehearsal q
N-N'NA'''i'f HiiN ilbAl W lllE
her maid and retire TO bed.
Cyrus however, made light Of &C. III
was too much accustomed to these bys
terical attacks on the part of his wifi
TO take them seriously.
IT'S pity she will give up TO thes
nervous fancles," he said. "She is al
ways Imagining that people are afte
her diamonds. sometimes olmos
wish that the diamonds might he ste
len ana done with-thougb thev mr.
worth 10000"
Some hours later Cyrus was slttln
IN the smoking room, when one of IN
cnambermalds entered hurriedly.
"oh! If you please, sir. she o,
claimed, MRS BeddIngton wants yo
10 go up TO her at once"
"Hilloa! What's the matter now ,
inquired Cyrus.
shes had fright cir. She vol,
up few minutes ago, and saw
mans face at the window. peering inf
tne room, and she says she's sure Il
meant robbery. And she's that ups.
by II, slI---r
rnttut Had nightmare q,
pecs' sa--A Cyrus, rising. III You