Year: 1878




When I was about II years of age, l
was invited by Mrs Hall, my god mother,
to pay her a visit, before going to a
boarding school, where l was to remain
for few years. My mother had died
when l was very young, and my father
thought it better for me to be at nice
school, where l would be among girls of
my own age, than in the house with only
his sister and himself Mrs Hall was
very fond of me she had no children of
her own, and. had my father consented,
she and Mr.. Hall would have taken me
to live with them entirely.


1t was a lovely day in June when 1
arrived at my godmother's, and she was
delighted to see me. The house was
beautifully situated on high ground, sur
rounded by grand old trees, and at one
side was flower garden.


One morning godmother said to me :
@Come up stairs with me, Lillian, and
1 will show you some Indian jewels that
my uncle left me lately"


She opened the drawer Of an inlaid
sandal-wcod cabinet and took out a
small case, in which were pair of ear
rings, a brooch and necklet of most
beautiful diamonds. l thought l had
never seen anything SO beautiful before.


"My dear Lilian," said she, II intend
to give you these on your 10th birthday.
l see, however, there is stone loose in
one of the earrings, so will take it into
town and have it repaired


She folded it up carefully and put it
in her purse the case with the other
diamonds she put in one of the drawers
of her dressing glass.


After lunch Mr. and Mrs Hall took
me with them to the town, which was
about four miles distant. The ear ring
was left at the jewelers., and, as we were
to spend the day at friends house, I'VE
arranged to call for it on our way back
But you will say, what has all this to dc
with your dream? Well, wal: little and
you will see.


We spent pleasant day, called for
the earring on our way, and arrived
home about half past 9 o'clock. AS was
taking off my bonnet godmother came
into the room.


Lillian said she, II cannot find the
case of diamonds anywhere. Did l not
leave it in the drawer in my dressing
glass before 1 went oute l went to put
in the other earring now, and it was no.
there. Who can have taken it?'


"You certainly left it in the dressing
drawer" I said. @Could any of the ser
wants have taken it, do you think?"


Il am sure they would not" she an
swered. II have had them with me fol
/ years, and never missed anything be
fore"


"Are there any strangers about thai
could have come in through the win
down. -=-a


NO Lillian; there are no stranger:
about the place except the gardener, and
he seems most respectable man. Igo
a very high character of him from hi:
last place in fact, We were told he was
most trustworthy person"


Next day there was a wonderful com
motion about the missing jewel-case
The police were sent for, and every
3 lplace was searched over and over again
but to no purpose. One thing, however
puzzled US: On the window sill was 8
footmark, and near the dressing table q
; little bit of earth, as if from a shoe OF
boot, which led us TO think that the THE
! must have come in through the window
: But how did he get up to it, 1t was 6
good height from the ground, and the
creeping plants were not in the leas
broken, as would have been the case had
any one climbed up by them. A ladder
must have been employed, and it wal
little to the credit of the police that thi:
/. fact had not been properly considered
AS the matter stood it IVES a mystery
and seemed likely to remain 80, and only
one earring was left of the valuable set
In a few days left for school, where
sl remained for four years. spent every
vacation between my home and my god