The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-03-16

Copyright, 1904, by w. r. Hearst.)
The house of Mrs. Oliver Gordon had
been the scene of many brilliant gath
erings during the season that had just
closed. The hospitality of the genial
hostess was as celebrated as her Jewels.
and they had created the sensation of
the season. A remnant of summer Linz
gared i'll the October air, and for that
reason Mrs Gordon and her guests
were loath to leave The Oaks" Mrs.
oliver Gordon had left for Boston the
previous night, with several of the SER
wants in order to have the city home in
readiness for the reception of his wife
and guest. Conner, the trusty butler
was left behind to look after the wants
of the ladies.
Mrs. Gordon had wound up the season
and her last evening at her summer
home-with a small dinner party of
eight to which were hidden the most
intimate of her clique. The time sped
rapidly on until the hour for departure,
when each guest proclaimed their
charming hostess the prince of enter
tanners. At this dinner were discussed
the latest gowns and engagements. The
yacht races were gone over, and those
who had been the successful contest
ants were dethroned for the ones to
whom the races belonged in the minds
the summer were limited at In an in
lpocent manner by the women, while the
men repaired to the smoking room
where stories were told the fair sex
were not permitted to enjoy.
When the farewells for the evening
and summer were said, Mrs. Gordon
and her guest, Miss Ralston, went to
her success in the social leadership of
Brighton. and the other of moonlight
strolls down on the sands. Sleep had
not long touched the tired eyelids Of
Mrs. Gordon before she was awakened
by muffled noise. as Of some one
stumbling over a chair. A conscious
ness of impending evil took possession
bf her. Calling to her friend and re-
ceiving q short answer in tone that
gave proof Of the truth of her convic-
ton. she hurried to the door of an adj
Joining room. Standing by her friends
bed, pistol i'll hand, stood Il person
whose face was covered with a black
mask. Her blood seemed to CONCEAL.
Her first impulse was to touch the but
ton which would summon Conner, but
realizing she would be a dead woman if
her hand. The bold intruder demanded
her jewels, warning her to make no out
cry, at the peril of her life. He informed
her his confederates were watching the
house, and they were wholly at his
mercy, but that he would in no way
harm them II they acquiesced in his
demands. At 3 o'clock-it was then a
quarter of 3-she might give the alarm.
but not q minute before.
Although this bold mans words were
spoken in an imperative tone. she was
impressed even IN that awful moment
with the depth and richness of his
voice. And the singular thought passed
through her mind, How could COM
mon thief possess a voice of such mar
i Vicious quality"
Instinctiyely she obeyed his COM
mand. and showed him the secret hid
Ing place meath the mantel shelf. His
revolver still pointing toward the two
women, who were too frightened to ut
ter word. he hurriedly took from
their hiding place some Of the magnifi-
cent jewels that had created such talk
among the Brighton colony, and was
slipping small band of turquoise sci
In diamonds in his satchel when Mrs
Gordon found her voice and begged
him to leave her that one keepsake
ps It was the last gift of her dead
mother. The mans voice softened
saying, You may keep It" He then
descended to the dining room. where
he and his confederates finished a hot
| tie OF wine. And when the clock struck
3 the men had departed.
Before half an hour had passed al
the stations for miles around had beer
i notified and no time was lost In send
Ing detectives In hot pursuit Of such
daring thieves
The following day the party left fol
Boston. and when Mr. Gordon was in
( formed OF the bold robbery he offered
/ $4,000 for their capture. and large
sum In addition for any information
/ bearing directly on them. For weeks
Brighton was all astir and all its citi-
gems were enlisted In the manhunt. A