Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-04-09

OJner treasures the CaSkeC cOnCdlneu.
In other traps in the box l found dia-
monds galore, a great solitaire that
must have been all of seven carats,
dinner rings, bar pins, crescents, stars,
earrings, and in a compartment all
by itself, tiara of rubies and dia-
monds. There was also a variety of
other gems, pins and rings wrought
In curious designs with rubies, dia-
monds, sapphires, and pearls, some un-
set diamonds and loose fragments of
pieces THAT had evidently been torn
apart to add to other settings, the
collection of a woman with unlimited
money to spend.
With trembling hands 1 restored the
jewels to their hiding place, twice test
ing the knob to make sure that the
combination had set. The unexpected
sight Of such vast fortune in gems
had filed me with strange emotions,
with thoughts so evil l hardly dared
admit them to myself. There must
have been nearly half million dollars
worth of precious stones in that one
casket. The CASTOR pearls in them
selves were a fortune.
If only they were mineI
To every honest man at times come
temptations as great as come to any
criminal. No man knows whether or
not he is honest until he has been put
to the test. l knewl 1 was tempted,
strongly tempted, to take my great
aunt's jewels. What was to hinder?
The old couple were to be absent for
months. They had left me in charge
and had given me their keys and the
safe combination. There would be
abundant time for disposing of the
Jewels before their theft was discov-
cred. With the money they would
bring I could satisfy my craving for
adventure. 1 could travel the world
over.
Yet, as look back at it, all the
time was thinking these thoughts, 1
knew l would not take the jewels. A
normal man cannot steal. Even when
his desires lead him to theft, his mind
points out the folly and his conscience
the wrong.
Resolutely 1 put the thought of the
jewels out of my head-or tried to
and stretching myself out on a couch
gave, myself up to pleasant reveries
about my delightful new acquaintance,
the girl who lived just across the hall.
1 pictured myself finding some way Of
winning her confidence and of helping
her out of her mysterious trouble And
what II eventually old Rufus should
make me his heir? Surely 1 would
need a mate with whom to share the
joys of having a fortune. With Wis
ions Of Barbara Bradford. bedecked
with my great-aunt's choicest Jewels.
fell asleep.
1t was almost dusk when 1 was
awakened by the arrival of the ex-
pressman with my trunks. After l
had receipted for them and had un-
packed, suddenly realized that 1 was
hungry, for ] had eaten nothing since
breakfast. Hastily 1 donned my
clothes. stopping only to count my
money. With a weeks salary in my
pocket and no room rent to pay for
several months, surely 1 could afford
good dinner to celebrate the change
in my fortunes.
AS 1 went out stopped in the lower
hall to, chat with the telephone girl
ostensibly to ask her to take any mes
sages for me, though was expecting
none.
you're Mr.. Nelson, amt youT' she
asked, eyeing me with curious interest
"Yes," 1 replied, "Mr. Spalding Mel
son. am occupying the CASTOR apart
ment while they are away"
A flicker of amusement crossed he]
face, with just the suggestion of 8
sneer.
II hope you'll enjoy living here"
"Why not?" I replied <carelessly. "T
any one calls, say that I will be hom,
by ten, Miss"
"Nellie Kelly" she added.
AS / chatted with her the elevate
had descended again, and three Der
,sons emerged, one Of them being sh
for sight of whom had been inten
tionally lettering. One of the tw,
persons with her was plainly tn
mother and the other l took to be al
older sister. She resembled Barbar;
strongly, but there was a world-wear,
look in her face, and her beauty seem
ed to me to be marred by a weaE
sensitive, passionate mouth. But
had no eyes for her, so absorbed wa
l in the appearance of the girl l ha
met in the park. If 1 had though
her beautiful then, she was ravishin
now. Her raven hair was piled hig
and caught back with a great Spanis
comb. An ermine-trimmed evenin
coat of brocade swathed her figur,
opening at the front just enough {
give me a glimpse of her barred whit
neck. 1nvOluntarily my hand went {
my hat, but into her eyes came
naughty look and one hand went t
her lips for just a second, as if sh
were warning me again not to reco,
nize her. l stood there abashed @
she swept by me to the waiting motto
. The telephone girls voice Jared NJ
I, back to my senses.
Il thought you was a friend of th
. Bradfords," she said sarcastically.
1 "Sure he is" said the voice of M
!. Wick behind me. Didn't you hef
2 the boys telling me he came in twiC
. with Miss Bradford?"
81 "Well, what of itT' 1 ansvere
lamely and fled from the house. indi
q nant at this open prying of the er
: ployees into my affairs, yet entire
+ at a loss to know how to stop it. Ho
9 could l tell them knew Barbal
il Bradford, when she had just cut n
o dead?
s Feeling vaguely dissatisfied wi
= my first day in my new home, boar
e ed a bus and rode downtown to
y little French cafe, where my conrad
v and 1 had been accustomed to
IS when we were in funds. All abo
q me were merry Sunday evening di
is ner parties, and 1 was alone. Bir