Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-09-01

secret. ! showed the gems, the Do1
In which they came, the paper In which
they had been wrapped, to q detective,
who studied them closely, but without
getting q clew. Had the box been q
new one he 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.
told no one except officials Of my
find for several months. Then in
formed Lucy Larraway Of 1t. She gave
me no assistance in ferreting out the
sender. That had not yet heard from
him did not argue that 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 a confederate tended to indicate
that when the 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, Il profligate 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 ex-
posed
AS time went on this theory or some
thing like 1t seemed to be gaining
ground with Lucy. and | fell In with 1t
myself. | stated 1t to the police. who
told me that not tithe Of the skele-
tons In family closets ever walked out
into the open. Possibly an explanation
Of this case Of 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 came to the conclusion to
use the property for my advancement
At q time following a financial panic
when securities were much depressed
I made loan on the diamonds and
bought productive property. A quick
rise followed. and sold out at II con-
siderable profit.
When told Lucy Of what had done
l expected that she would blame ME
for jeopardizing property that l might
Mt any time be called upon to return
She did not seem to take this view Of
It, however. reminding me that | had
done all could to discover the owner
whereupon I told her that l now saw
no reason why we should not be mar
ried, and she consented.
For years the diamonds remained in
the safety deposit company's 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 so. intending them
for my children after my death.
For thirty years lived Il happy life
with my dear wife: then she left me.
Some time after her death | devoted
myself to the melancholy duty Of weed.
Ing out those numbercss effects. con
sisting of old letters and trinkets. that
accumulate during q lifetime. Going
over some private papers Of hers.
found list Of diamonds. giving their
standing rs to purity and their nc.
curate weight. recognized that II
comprised the gems which had been
sent to me years arone. could not
remember my wife having had a copy
Of this inventory.
Passing OH to other papers In the
same receptacle, came upon n will
executed more than thirty years before
by one Jane LARA way. bcqueathing to
her niece. Lucille Larraway. all her
property. Iopcned my eyes ut this and
pushed on through the bundle Of pa
pers among which | had found 1t and
saw mt once that they concerned the
settling Of the estate Of Jane Llrraway
and that Lucy had received IN In
heritance Of $4,000.
If ever man looked back with emotion
ON a noble deed Of one lost did on
seeing the evidence that my beloved
Lucy had converted fortune into
diamonds aud given them to me. con-
cealing herself as the donor. Oh. that l
could bring her back for one moment
i which to take her in my arms and
tell her-or try to tell her-what ] feat!
Alas. how many Of us realize sacri-
fees that have been made for us only
ufter the beloved one has passed be-
yond our gratitude!
told my children what their mother
had done for us all and divided the
gems among them. to keep In memory
Of her.