The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-20

Harcourt in week, and there was
- not more popular couple in Lon
don. Her sweet face and winning ways
had taken the heart of society by storm
and all the world knew that warm
hearted, hot-headed Harcourt was ABOUT
TO 90 headlong to the devil when she
caught and held him. So everybody was
oIesSed and said it was perfect match !;
and for the last three weeks their wed
ding presents had come pouring into the
big house in Upper Belgrave Street, and
flooded the front drawing-room.
Lillian was excited because her lover
Vas coming with the famous Harcourt
diamonds, which had been the adnira-
ton and envy OF fashionable London tor
falf century. The jewels had been
rernoved from the bank where they had
ain in darkness and safety tor dozen
years. to the glittering shop OF Mr.
Ophir. of Bond Street. The setting was
verv old. and the vigilance OF the tiny
<siiver points that guarded the priceless
ruorsels of bright stone had to be looked
TO- A brand-new case had been ordered
TO set the precious sparklers OFT to the
best advantage.
There came a knock, and foot on the
stairs mounting four steps at a spring
Another moment and he was IN her
room. Her eyes welcomed him, though
You are ten minutes before your time
sir" she said, land l am terribly busy
What have you there?"
ooh YOU know You have been long
ing for me and the diamonds, especially
the diamonds, for the last hour. I've
great mind to carry them off again.
The Jewel case was wrapped in brown
paper with strong cord and sealed with
broad patches of red sealing wax. Quite
excitedly she cut through the string,
leaving the seals unbroker, and let paper
and Irvine and wax go down in a heap
on the carpet together.
There emerged from the inner wrap
ping of soft. white tissue paper the jewel
case in its new coat of light brown
morocco with the monogram L. H. in
neat gold letters on it She gave little
cry of pleasure as her eyes fell on the
lettering which proclaimed the jewels her
very own Like bather on the water
brin. she paused for one tantalizing mo-
1nent, drew deep breath to make ready
for the coming cry of rapture, and
opened the case.
IT zUdS empty
What does it mean. Sgd? Are you
. playing with me?" But even as she
asked his face told her he was quite
serious.
Il cannot make it out, ILL.," he said in
an altered voice. Il cannot make 1t out
at all I brought the case direct from
Mr. Ophir's He told me he had put
the diamonds in and sealed the box up
even broken the seals" And he mechan-
ically picked up the litter of paper and
Irvine from the floor NO one touched
it since except myself and you, and the
diamonds are gone Old Ophir would no
more dream OF playing such trick than
an archbishop. Why, the old boy warned
me as he gave me the precious parcel.
We cannot be too careful. Mr.. Har-
court he said. There are twenty thou
sand pounds in that little parcel; let no
hand touch II except your own The
first thing is to see Mr.. Ophir."
"Oh. don't leave me, sgd"
We'll, to write to him, then. There
must be some ridiculous mistake some
where Perhaps he gave me the wrong
case Perhaps some one substituted the
empty case when he looked aside for a
moment 1t may be necessary to employ
a detective. I'll tell him so at once Can
l write note anywhere?"
There's the writing table in the cor
Ser"
He growled a bit at the dainty fem
mime pen and paper and began:
Dear Mr.. Ophir: A most extraor-
binary thing has happened. 1 took the
case you gave me, as you gave it to me
straight 10 Miss Ray, Belgrave Street
and opened it without breaking the
seals, by cutting the strings in her pres
ence The diamonds were gone
There must be some mistake some
where. Perhaps you may be able to
clear up the mystery. If you suspect
dishonesty. engage a detective at once
The messenger will wait for reply
Yours in haste
SYDNEY HARcoURr.
He ran downstairs himself to hail Z
cab to take the note. A smart hanson
with an alert cab driver on the box wa:
crawling up the street Harcourt raised
his hand. almost knocking over a sturdy
the door dangerously near the curbstone
Here. my man" he said to the cab
man Take this to Mr. Ophir's, in Bone
Street. The address is on the envelope
Wait for an answer; double fare if yor
make quick time
The driver took the letter touched hi.
hat. and was off like shot
Harcourt threw the grumbling begga1
shilling and slammed the door. If h,
had waited Just one second he woult
have seen the beggar go off almost a
quickly as the hanson.
: oh, Sydney. do cheer up a little
NPleaded Lily. 1T will come out all right
II not. I won't mind in the least. AM
your father is too fond of you. and O
me, think, to be really angry 1t WASH
your fault, anyway"
You see how it is, Lii l have bee
going the pace bit before 1 met yor
my darling. and many people think
have outrun the bailiff. So there is sur
TO be malicious whispering and tattlin
and people may say-no, I cannot tie
you what they may say, and what
more. l don't care. You never can sa
or think or look anything but what
kind
Wonderful is Loves Lethe. In fv
minutes the diamonds had vanished fror
their memory completely as they ha
vanished from the case The sound an
sight Of a cab whirling. to the doc