Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-11-06

There had been several jewel rob
berries reported, but none very lately.
looked over the description In each
case, but none OF them tailed with
the case in hand. Mine were all unset,
but this made no difference, for they
might easily have been removed from
the setting. Mine were all diamonds,
while In the other cases the stones
consisted OF various Jewels.
BY arrangement with the police l
had each stone weighed and described
by diamond expert, and they were
authorized II any one described any OF
the jewels correctly to put him in
communication with me, that he might
prove property. A number of descrip-
lions OF stones or lots OF stones came
to me, but none tailed with those that
had been sent to ME. It was impos-
sible that should be imposed upon in
matter of weight alone.
The theory OF the police was that the
jewels had been stolen, probably in
one lot, from diamond merchant, who
had reasons for not reporting his loss.
Sometimes those losing goods, sus-
pecting or not suspecting the thief,
put private detective on tho case,
who advises Keeping the whole matter
secret showed the gems. the box
In which they came, the paper In which
they had been wrapped, to detective,
who studied them closely, but without
getting a clew. Had the box been a
new one no might possibly have traced
1t from the maker to the person who
had bought 1t, but 1t was evidently
very old. nothing Of its kind having
been manufactured for many years.
l told no one except officials of my
find for several months. Then l In
formed Lucy Larraway OF 1t. She gave
me no assistance In ferreting out the
sender. That l had not yet heard from
him did not argue that l would not
hear at any time, though the longer
the delay the less likelihood, The fact
of their having been sent to me instead
Of confederate tended to indicate
that when tho thief had shipped them
his object was to get rid of them with
out even calling for them.
Lucy suggested that there was some
story In high life connected with them,
possibly tragedy. She fancied, for
instance pronigate son OF wealthy
father stealing them from him, then
becoming terror stricken at exposure
and shipping them at random. A case
like this would probably never be OK
posed.
Az time went ON this theory or some
thing ike IL seemed TO De gaining
ground with Lucy, ana fell In with 1t
myself stated 1t to the police, who
told me that not 1.-THE Of the skele-
tons In family closets ever walked out
into the open, POSSIBLY an explanation
or this case or mine might come In
time. but there was little likelihood of
my having been put In possession OF
the jewels temporarily or ] would
have been called on for them before
now.
At last l came to the conclusion TO
use the property for my advancement.
At time following a financial panic
when securities were much depressed
l made loan on the diamonds and
bought productive property. A quick
rise followed, and l sold out Mt con
siderable profit
When I told Lucy of what had done
| expected that she would blame me
for Jeopardizing property that might
at any time be called upon to return.
She did not seem 10 take this view of
1t, however, reminding me that | had
done all could to discover the owner.
whereupon told her that now saw
no reason why we should not be mar
ried, and she consented.
For years the diamonds remained In
the safety deposit compnnys vault.
Children grew up about Lucy and me.
But prospered, and there was enough
for ALL When sons and daughters
were going to college and our expenses
were considerable my wife suggested
that sell the jewelry and put the
money into interest bearing property.
But declined to do 80, intending them
for my children after my death
For thirty years I lived bappy life
with my dear wife; then she left me.
Some time after her death devoted
myself to tho melancholy duty OF weed
ing out those numberlcss effects, con.
sistlng Of old letters and trlnkcts, that
accumulate during n lifetime. Going
over some private papers Of hers,
found list OF diamonds giving their
standing Ms TO purity and their nc
curate weight. I recognized that II
comprised the gems which Ind been
sent to me years agone. I could not
remember nv wife having Ind n COPY