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[' ♦ * m > * Tin People Presses. JtHVAi., M« r< anti]<- umi nii}»- dob Printing E^tM uUxl promptly ati>J in ttn b»*>t style>on ttic 1'isoii.fc rn» : li; » •H 1 T. WOOD*I ATT ORMEY-AT-L A1 ’ lUrnwfllf C. Moxr.T U» lemi furini*.*— ToHn lot^ urn] improvwi farm laiid.^for aak*. W ill Megutiafc) .al-s of « !oajwl »n»l timial Unds ai d buy Mshoolaiideouii ty < laimit. - v VOL. XV. I, S. C., APRIL 7, No. ^2“ Tiiti mm si I know more almnt it than any ono rise in the world, its present owper not excepted. 1 ran ^ive its whole history, from thertjingaleso who found it, tho Hpanish,adventnrer who stole it. the car dinal who Iwm^Kt'it, the pope who gnt- ini' ns in Ihe drawing room cimisly Jtcccpt<*d it, ttie favored son of the church who received it, the j$ny and ftid<ly duchess Wild pawned it, down to the eminent prelate 1 wljo now holds it in trust as a familydieirlooin. It-will ucciu.>.vjtrchapter‘ l to itself in my fortiicoiniu" work on “Historlc Stones,” Wliere full lieLiiiIs of its weight, size, color and value may lw‘ found. At pres ent I am ftoin^to relate an'meident in its history which, for obvious reasons. her grow more liervously animated* Poor, dear girl. I never in .-Ul my recol lection wished a dirjnet 1 at an Pud so earnestly, so as to a>stir((iher of my sup- liort an<l Minpathy, though without tho faintest conception why cither should be required. / T-hc ices at last. A' menu c\vd, f« hi ed in two, was laid beside ihe. 1 real it unoliserved. “Keep Ihe 11. from join- The ii.? The bishop, of course. Witli pleasure. Put why? An 1 how? That's the ques tion, never mind “why. " (’on-M l lure him into the library, the billiard room, the conservatory? I doubt'- l it, and I doubted still more what 1 should do With him wfnut-1 -j*A i The bishop is a.grand and statelv et'- clesiastic of the medaiwarl tvp >, Irread chested, deep voiced, martial of bear ing. I could piemte him charging nw+ce will not lie published—which, in fact, 1 in hand at the head“of his vuss.Tl^; or ttUiil the reader”will consider related in delivering over a dissenter of the pmuod stru t coiitidence. toAhe riwk and thumlwrew, but not I had never setyi tlie abme itself when 1 liegan ti» write'alsmt it. and it was not Until one eveiuug hist spring, while stay-, ing with my nephew, Sir Thdlnas Acton, that I tame within measurable distance of it. A dinner party was impending, and at my instigation the bishop of Nurtliehnrch an<l Miss Panton, his daugiiter and heiress, were among tii; invited guests.* ' • The dinner was a particularly gowl one. 1 temeiidM-r that distinctly. In fact, I felt myself partly resjK>iisil»le for it, having eng ige l the new<’<M»k —a talented young Italian pupil of the a<lmirable*oId chef at :ny club. We had gone over lh'* iii’-nu carefully togetTier/wait a result r*-f resmug m its novel t v. hut not so dar- pottering among rare editions, tall copies and (irolier bindings, imr con descending t<> a ipii*‘t cigar among tin* tree fejms and orchids?' L* f * must ami shoula 1ft* ol»eye-l, I swore, neverthe less, even if 1 were driven 1« ek the dis)r in the fearless old fa-hron of a by-, gone day and «h*ol.ire i d sin »t any man who left while*a drop remained in the Unties. Tho ladies were rising. The lady at the h**ad'of the lint* Minit a**I and nodded h»t pink pinin'** c<njnetti-!dy at Toni, while her hawk's eyes roved k*H*u and predatory «wer us all. S'ie stnppnl srnj- detilv. creating a bt«s-k and confn>i<»n. “All. the dear bishop! You there, *«d I n«-v«*r saw vou! You must come lug as to disturb tlie uiiuds <»f tin* into- ^ln«l have a litre - pr»-fi mlv. l»* r smile with q iiti ts-nt country gue>u who \vre bidden thereto. The first xjHtotiful »»f soup was reassur ing. and I l<s>k*‘d to tlie »nd uf tb*- (.tide t'< exeliange .« nmigratnhit• >ry giauo' with What was amis-? No n»- ►piiHc. Her prettv fa«s- was tbi-led. «’*ui-trained; she was talking Ulili*ss--»ary cuipresM'mrfit to her in-ighUtr. isir Ihirry Lan*l*4r, though L«eTa Is on** >’( tii***e few Women wi|o 1111- der-tau-1 the import a nee of h-ttiiig a luao settle down tMrN|iMlir nnd with ap un- distur n-1 mind |otltr businesscf diniitg, albMS ing n • to|4>* ttf scrimis interest to none on iiefor • the r* b-ves, and r<*s-*rv- tng nc re i-onvirsatioual i*ruli in - y lor the entremets. (ineets.i)l right? N’ • disnpponfmetits? I Itad gone thrtMig'i the b»; t u,th In-r. -•*- |ei-nng jn-t th • right to fa* a-k*d to m*<rt th** I*.tM*lofs». ..nrnew m iglr>«*rs. Uye-by-!'* rsiie slcsik Ifr fan at litiaov< r my sh-odd-r and trip'n* I >•'!. beta, pa - mg mi* last, g .ve tuo adook of profound lle»p.ur. . •" , •D of showing ii to yoit. It is at my banks er s .jug in>w.” ’ - Mi.-.s I’anton's Mej .-i were heard in the hall. , k ' ' 'Vs “Yoit are-welljinowrl aSn roivnoisseur, Mr. Actorr." Ik* went on hurriedly. .“Is yonr collection valti.g'ih-? If so. keyiv.it safe; don*b trust a ring off your hand, or the Jtuiwpf your j -wel case opt of v. u;,r lx* ];et till (lie heo.-e.is clear again." Tiie words rushed )r<lyi^Ris lips in an impeluons whisp'-r; he ini ail ing glance and departeV w/ttrhis* ter. I went back to th«f/l rawing room mV bend Hwimii ing with bewihlcrmcnt. “What! Tiie dear lushop gone!" scn*am'‘d Lady Parwitehct fro'm the "T>'T\t rrl—o-’-r-ini.t;i -wher*e- she —foir- roundo l by most of the gentlc*mcn, all ajjiareotly well entert aTired by hefco^- vi r- itiou. , “And 1 wanted to talk over oel timbs with linn so badly. Ills poor wife v\ is my giv ite-t -friend. Mirv. Mont.•mat'danghu r of t ievgr. at l*ank r; you kiioy.;. It s ii't j»>-<il)b* tliat that iiiiseraldc little png i- my }M'or Mira's girl. The h« iress of all the Mimtanaros in a hl u’k lace gown Worth twopenei*! When I think “Of bm* unaftier's fteaflfy- and her toilets! D >es .sheerer wear the sapphires? H is any bile ever seen her in then.? Lleven large stones in a iovdV anti juc M*Uing and tile great YaJd^'Z sappliin*—worth tiioiisands and' thou amis—ibr th«* iMMidant." No one replied. “1 want* d to g« t a rise ont of the bi.-hup tonight. It used to make, him so nmd when I won* this,” ,y-* 8h** fumbled at the lae -s at h'T thn>.it and • I;nv*-d out a js ndant that hung to a Yyivet ar. '.m l h*T mfk l fairlfigaspitl when -ho tuov«*«l li-r hand. A .-apphtre of ir.-cgnlar s!t.ap • fli-li'il out i;s Mint "Ii Jdidt. 1 ; '<tv tf<. t^t-mrtr -t^t '!—A tht^v rich. n*rtjil.*w**r Mae even by that w r. ti h« d art ifieh.t light, wftii -••ft. vel vety d*'pt!»H of color an 1 dazzling ehyir- ito-oi tint in its lights nud shades—a ►ton** io-r*‘iiicin)H r! I -tr ’ch • 1 out my Land involuntarily, but lady t\ir\viichet dr*ov back witli <% v>spn*llu*ii Mpnal. “No! u«*! You iilnstn't lb •!; auv cl*»-er. moved, tmi tliu «t(H»r iM-innd vt had been bishop ami .Lady Car- Khastiy countenance to mu. “She vowed (•j.po-be to me at dmm r, my wrathful fche Uould See tne ruined and disgraced, r indignation at the thought, of the pHir unlocked and left ojxm forconvenietico I made h<*r my enemy by erossing Homo little exp.rtcd heir, defrauded ere his n f .Histiug Mrfud the wardrolw I ^ ’ ' U * V°o bir,h; ’ * M1 r i'U 'iiing contempt I felt-for , might asw-dl have liccn in the bedroom. ahall .myself and lhc.bishiUi tm a pair of tvitr “Don’t tclf m*‘ " 1 reen'rni f, in** wii; » It tl muat tie - ttonk of H it't\\\ 1 «*j» •f tl 1* Shonldu t 'tho witchet meet? Why is it wor^o for hint than any one ebe?" * ‘Why? 1 tie mght everybody had heard of that dreadful wife of his Who nearly broke his heart. If he married *her for her money it served him right, but Lady Landor says she Was very handsome and really in love with him at first. The Lady Carwitchet*got hold of her and led her into all sorts of inisohh f. 1 8iie left tier hnshand. be was only a re> tor with a country living in those days, and weift to live-in town, got into a-hor rid fast set, and made herself notorrtms. You must have heard of her.” .“i ie-ard of tier sapphireSv my dear. Put 1 was.in Hrazil at tin; liine.-’ “1 wish you had been at home, You niiglii have, lound le r out. She-wasfu- Tious because her husband iyfns<*d t» le^"' her xfca'r^tlie great Valdez sapphire. It had been in tltp Mofituuarofamily for seme geiirratioiis, and her father s*‘ttled it fii -t on her and then on her little girl - the bi-hep being trustee. He felt obliged to Take away the little girl and send her of! to" he brought up by seune old aunts m the country, and he locked up the sapphire. Lady Oarwitchet tells as a splendid joke how they got the copy made in Paris,-and it did ju.-t as well for {-•■.[ le to start* at. No womter the bishop lutti $ i he vet y name W the stone. H Vllow long will she stay here?” 1 asked dismally. “Till l<ord ('rtr'v 4 Vhet Can come and ^•ort her to P.tr is to visit some Ameri- • an friends, (towduess knows when that .•ill Is-? Do go up i» town, L-iiMc Paul!” 1 refused indignantly.* The very least ‘ I conh) do Teas to stand by my |HM»r y- urig relatives in tin ir tronbles and . V Ip iiiein LuruugU. I diil au. 1 wore oat inferior cat-eju* for six weeks! i is a tune I cannot tliiuk of eren now •■!ihout a shudder. The more 1 saw of that terrible old woman the more 1 de- . ti-Misl fier. and we saw a very gre.1t deal uf her. L**ta kept her word mid neither in*»*pted nor gave inrititUMi* ill that time. We w-re cut off from nil soriety but that i t old ticueral Kairford. who would go anywhere and imvt any one to to get a lubber after dinner; the dtictor. of her Hellenics once, and slm never for gives. She wilbkeep her Word. I ahull iny'selfand th< bishoji as a p apjiear before the world as a fraudulent less idiots unable to set* our wav out of trustee. 1 can neither produce the valu able confided to my charge nor make the lo-s good, f have only an incredible story to tell,” he dropped his head and groaned again. “Who will Indievo tue?" “I will, for one." ^ “Ah. yon? Yes, you know her. She took my wife from me, Mr. Acton. Heavon oidy knows what tho hold was that she h.'pl over |HK>r Mir.T. ’ She en couraged her to set me at defiance and eventually to leave me. She was an thcMileinma:all this boiling and surging through my soyl # I Pail only Wonder - Domenico having given hiiu.<vif h holi day, n min the kitcheti maid d.oing her worst and wickedest—that gotit or j irirl* dice did not put au laid to this story at once. . “I’ncle Paul!” Leta was looking her Sweetest when, she tripped into my room ii'*xt morning. “I've news for you. . She,” ^pointing a delicate forefinger in the direction of the corridor: *»U go. I recognized Carwitch-* “Yow've not Men here all Hwerahle for all the sea ml a Ions folly and irygd Ib-r Ikikums have reached Parisut extravagance ».f poor Mira's life in Paris la-t add M*nt for her to join them ut-the -spare me the telling of the atopy. Slie left her at last to die alone and tin cared for I reached my wife to find her dy ing of a fever, froni whieh Lady par- witelret and all her crew had fled. She was raving in delirium and died with- 0*1 it recognjzingjne. Some troalile she had Ik**“ii in which 1 must never know oje pressed her. At the very last she roused from a long Htui*or and spoke to the nurse. ‘Tell him to get the sapphire Mick—she stole it. She has riddled my child.’ These Were her Inst words. The Bnruejuuderatood ltd English, mid treated lln-tn as wamleriiigs; but 1 beard tlnaii. and knew she vas sane when she fq*uLc." “What did you do?” Grand hotel." 1 was-thunderstruck, Th** longed for deliverance had but ronio to remove ho]s lessly ami fjorever out of my reach Lady Carwitofiet and the great Valdez sapp1:ir«“. “Why. aren't you overjoye*!. I nifr ways in such ft flutti-r abont it? something with It, tieter fear. We tire going to celebrate the event by a ^>ver.” Don't, tell | cPh growl, this tym* for tiothing. You've fyecn col lecting for a Kilbnrn cpt br getting huIh script ions for the distressed Irish Uind- h*rds. 1 know yoh. N"' v -bin not going to see myself ruiue«l for the want of paltry hundr.*<l r or w». I ^**11 you the cqIi is a dead certainty. If I could have got H-thousand or two on -him last week we might have ended our dog days million aires. Hand over wliat ton can. Yon've j money’s wortn, if not money. Where's that > ippnm* y<ci st'd".''" “I didn't, ,1 can show you the receipt ed bill. AH I j»osjm**is it honestly cmno by. What could you do with it, even if i gave it you! You couldn't soil it as the Valdez, and you can't get it cut up as you might if it were real." “If it's only l»ogris, why nr" yon al l'll d«J Hand c & a* khug laugh hug w *d**wer, ami ly. rather rackety a 1 taken the U*w La< 1 v t ‘nrwttchet m* •Ul u r* •r » Not ||; b T J et town, but 11 i*l am t inn l**-**ii I ite f *r rival- in th* L t«i - fault. er»* cn , iii*r*»u i hIbmky, ini \ unty gat m r:tig. •*•1 |*arty fr**u1 \,V A -kilirnl iii*-njjng •>( 1 li.*p|- u** , l alr<* ul>? 1 linn* r aiel tin—* >1 Ii drawing r>«*ui. I ; fer-i* ■\Xu%i ns •v* rv n I all nailing int« • tny fo*»tti an d putitng tiie -*Ah, last I * my t«*ilrt. 1 fi t her. f *r 1 an n d'Mlblf nl <>f inv-'*lf n* iw.i’l.iy^ after “L Mai iv war-' d**i- n*b n.t* **! 1 t lift lit-tot •*( vl-ISiti % il* t*. Her ‘ » nte 14 g.*||. •ri'ly lt*><*n*l “Tl di-l .lit**. It; *. lay *lu* lia*l iridul'gni Hi j| Ser\ It !e»n i am** \ i ".ry tliat pr*»v uk»-l lit * an*l p* s«**- ini' 1«* tn** i n e f ( .r «liim**r. hiiel i *•, Ar«* y*»4 gv».u g !*• weir i four *ij*|»hfr.*. -W •fro i (*i ietr »iatil at the first T i«*r 1 id iuntalioi,- * l* brate*l stone; imt I lytking mad** by tu Art.»*i. never!” A ntu amitlur ims'ki lie* Miot- nr>U!il h oil lh the IhtlNTlys. young c**upi* cr Jioitst* for a t*metl (terfeetiy d in the e**ft living .M o.“>r lion , in,, in le t»- big barouche and Ike »'b dittners. as one to whom short •n-were n >t imknown. She had rrr w>»y »*f grabbing an’l grasping rvtuing hIm could—the shillings •ii at whist, tin* Ik-sI fruit at dt-^- k* |s*stage stamps m th * library ii<ji-tliMt was itifinltelysuggestivB. •‘tunes I could have pitndher, she ’ greetly. so spiteful, so frieiidl* ^ S'ays in id** tu«* think of some wick- pirate putting into a p« aeefnl js*rt Ii #*t the ‘What rNMild I? I sA»v l^idv ( ar il 1 r«* •I til with ave. N *t t! •S.-I f o t.'llli. It tin 1 natives, l*ii ill/ a -ioif for heal old sold loll li*rj on**** more. N**t till the ar ingutfthed Ani* ru r Ilia l*.it!» nsl oM uu friendly tenss Ins pirntical oi l 4itiid«*r. and Ins mg to l»* olf raa- When P'oilld til.lt v.il iii Pans of her i» fm ads. of whom witchet. who laughed at tne and defied me to make her eotib-ss or disgorge. I bstk tin* [M-n*lant to iur*ro thin one eminent j- weler on pretense of having tiie aettitilf s*tMi to. and all have exam ined and admired without giving a hint of there Is'ing anything wrong. 1 al lowed a celebrated mineralogist to see it; he gave no i*ign”—— “Perhaps they aru right and wc an* wrong." “No, no. * Listen. I heard »>f nn old Dutchman celebrated for lit- imitations. I went to him. and he told me at once that lui had Isnn allowed by Monta- nam toct>py the Vaides—setting and all — for the pans exhibition. I showed him this, and Ik* claimed it for his own work at ou«*e, and |>oiiit«‘d byt his pn- rite mark ujHai it. Y**u Must take your magnifier t** find it—a CJr«^*k U ta lie al<M» told lin* tiiat lit* ha 1 sold It to Lady far witchet more than a year ago.” 1‘iu 1.. i*_ml--"" , m .* uf litv may. “0:1, why not ih** rubyT* * “You would have yrntr war als.ijt the table d»*ct»rati“*n," I gentlvr<‘iiiitide«l her. P 1 W I I tied W Ii ; ii “With that service «.f tVown r-p.ii"*- and orchids the ruhy look ab-oluiely b«rliari«*. N'*w, would have had lie* Liinog**** -••l. c.ui“ll«*san ) a \el|«*w suit center” — v “Oil. bii! —I’m so di-anisMiiie*! —| wanted tie* by-hop to >«e \«.ur ruby—<*r niiettf j our ♦ ngrac»'d gt*m>”—i--* •*>lr tlear.it ito*i riw* tns!i ipVnwrrstmt 1 put thnt*^hi x You know hi- d iughter i- heiress bf ip.* great Valdez sajs |»hire” * * •of eoitrse sh'* is^t^id when he lias thecnargeof a stone th¥vc tiin**s as big as yours what's the u>»* ofAr-- ir’mg it? The ruby, dear I’ncle Paul, pleJtsc!” She was de-jsTatelT 1 ft “earliest I Vsjllld H-e, and con-idei ing t'ne obligitin which I am supplied to he under t<* her and Toni, it was but a .littl* iuattt*r to yield, but it involved a good deal of ex tra lrouble. Studs, sleeve links, watch guard, all carefully selected to go with 4lie sapphire ha 1 to be changed, the em erald which I chtwa a* a compromise re quiring more florid accompaniments of a deeper tone of gold, and the dinner hour struck as I replaced my jewel ease, tin* one relie left me of a once handsome fortune, in my fireproof safe. The emerald looked very, well that evening however. 1 kept my eyes ujion it for comfort when Mis- P.Jttua proved drying. She was a lean, yellow, dictatorial young porsoti, with no conversation. .1 •vf poke of.hi't' father's celebrated sapphires. “My sapphires,” she amended Hourly; ‘‘though t am legally debi^red from making any profitable use of them.” She furthermore informed me that sin* Viewed them useless gauds, which ought ' to be disposed of for the benefit of the heathen. 1 gave the subject up, and While she discoursed of the work of tne Line Uiblxm" Army among the Dosjes- tnan, I tried to understand a certain dis- ) liH-atioii in the arrange*naTit of the table. Surely we Were morijor less in iiimil*er than wc should Iter—t^ipjsito side all rigid. Who wax extra on ours? I leaned forward. Lady Landor on one side of Tom; on tiie other who? I caught gliiujikesof plume* pink and green nod ding over a, dinner plate, and Iwneath them a pink nose in a green visage, with a nutcracker chin altogether unknown to me. . "Nv , . -V sharp ^ray eye shot a sideway glance down tiie table and caught tne ]K*cping t and 1 retreated, having only 'Marked in addition two clawlike hands, ■*with punt lace ruffles and a mass of hrilliautr ring*, makifig good play with a knife and fork. . Who was she? At in- b-rvals a high, acid vows- could Is* heard atddresMtig Turn, and a laugh that made lt»' , ’Xhadd<*r; it had the qualiryTT tbe*^ Scream of a bird of pn-y or the yell of a jackal. 1 had’heard that sort of laugh 1- fnry. and it ala'ays mad*; me feel like A d**{»*t>#rU*aM rabbit. B#err Tim** it i«h»u*1***1 l saw Let*'* fan iluiu r tib*?*: fax,oJili au I Iter man- D*-rbv luck. 1 in* t v.onM un*** *in it y.'tt fa* r. l 'arwil white obliga tuui ai* l« 1 |W 111 even m out in f<*r buying and gave tiu*M a g>*ucr.d invitatioii here, as one doer, you know. N'-Vi r e VJ* *eje 1 herd * turn up with lief luggng* tuts afTerU‘*“»n ju-ri***f >iv dipi- n**r. to-«t.-»r n ■BT'Hrnr a f*ffTlifgTiTtrtTi^ 1 * yvitchet c;m j •m h>*r." A 'roan ofsym- |*athy ran around the table. “It 4*an't Is* ii*4|s*'l. I'v- told yon this just to siiow that 1 shouldn't havi*a-ked you Iht** to iti*'» t this S4»rt of i*cop]c of my < wn lr<' ■ will, but, as lr i-. plea-t* .-ay no .in.»r.* Hlsctt tlg.*lll." The S.lbj. et Wa.- liotlir -p- p-d by am' means, and 1 took car.* that it should not he. At or.rend of the ta- ble one story after anotlier went buzzing atpittl'l—sotto vt*ee out of deference to 1 Tom. but perfectly audible. . “CayW.iteled? Ah, yes. Mixed up in that Il uvKpgs. divorce c.tse, wasn't he? A bad lot. 'Turned out of tin* Dragon (riiards for cheaHng at cards, or pic!;iu ; p(H“kcts <*r something -remeinber- the low at the Cerulean Hub? Scandalous exposure—and that forgKl letter hft-i ness—oh, thaf was the Hah:iNc ;)n“>. cu- tion lnish(*d irp somehow. OngHt to Ik* serving fourtem years—anti tliar-busi- ness of ptx.r'Farfars, the bankers—got hold of some of -his secrets and Idack- j mailed him till he blew ins - brains out” It was so exciting that I clean forgot the liisiiop’, till a low g i-p at my elbow starthnl me. He wa.s lying back in bis chair, liih jlii tliry si* ivcfi jowl a ghastly White, hisMjerce, iii'periorH vycbmws drooping limp oyer In- ii.-lilijie eyes, his 'splendid figure shrunk and , c*;dr.;cted.‘ He was frying witli a slinking hand to~ -f .M, ,1 it ed t that h:«. L nn* It . It wa *H, AIK* th*lh< ■ oin-s. ] fell :» *,l T.- W.IH the 4*M I. even for I ’d by a sha'.u. y? *1 lie event** of tile • verttriT Inrl tlrifr*' t T*f“l cotifu-ed in**. I wi-i t *d to think titeiu over in «pii>*t. I would go t<* L-d. efy rooms at tin* M ir*or are tlr* M st ill tile holls**. Let ft Will IflVe it >.». 1 iini-t «*\p!.iiri tin ;r p '-itio*, for a re.i-.on t * be unde! -‘.cod lai r. M> bedroom is in tin* southeast angle of tin* hoii-e; it op ns on on** side into a sitting loom in tin* east corridor, ‘.i • rest of whieh j- taken tip by the suite of room- occupied by Tom and Leta; and on the other sid** into my sent h e« ch imis-rs ;:n to one of whieh u wa- originaiiy tin dressing room. I’a^-ing this r.K»ui 1 tiotieed a couple of llouse- m lids pnqviriiig it for the night a,nd dis covered with a -hiver that L:q!y Cir- witchet wa - to he my next door neigli- bor. Ir gave me a turn. The bn h-[»'s stiai!.'* warning must have unnerved me. I was perfeetiv safe from liei ladyship. Tlr* ub-nsed door into li(*r room was le 1 at: 1 tin* key s.ift* on the ln.';i.k'*k'ecjM*r’s "Tu"ch. JT was al.-o undi • ov rable ou her side, tie* recess in \v’irh it stoo*l being com pletely fill d by :i large wanfroln*. Un my side liu’ngaThick soundproof port h n*. N< Vert ;el ■ I ivydN ed n it lo u*-e that ' sdiL* iuiiaSited the IK Xt one my po .sessioTiS, fa.-telled the loor of couiiiiuiiication \vHJi Tnv bed- we h • ar*! a i rre.it deal. ' “('.tarmiug “It i* a t* rnble |>«».iti* _ *4 >11. *•. ..i.l i" 'i; 1 * *. tti' .* B* •Uiims. of (*1 rfcag*», the “Il 1* M y o*! rii*>t«H • di**<l lat* ly. | All • ■ ican Fr-Ti il Ii «.f Ttn* Kn gtish Ik nn- have m •rrr dansl to h live a not Ikt ap- 'hain| y«! *ii kn low! 1 iieV ►* -4'HK‘d to la* p: Jilted ifim lH*un*l t* • band over Hie Miking an lllu ' oiiKioiiaide ti itne to get sappliin! ! t*» my daughter on her mar there. Si io won il*l have liiH>t< i**l < ;» being ring**, if her liu*?»a?id c *<*nsent* to take inv* i » if\v\ r to N«»rth«*linrch to call at the naipe of Moiitnnnru. J. I 1 d tbat the 1ft- l:«* in*t» was im- ig <*• nfinuatious at bathroom, tin* fir.-t loom in the •rrnl u\ where tin- principal guest roonjwa. 1 r nit >v« room and lira. pour ont wiiK*. The decanter i lattcre.l across it against the glass and the wine spilled on the cloth. “I'm afraid you'll find the room t/>o warm. Shall we go into the libraryhx He rose hastily and followed me like a lamb. He recovered himself once we gel into flie hall, and affably rejected all my proffers of braimy and soda—medical advice—-everytiling else my limited ex- jierience coiiTd, sugge-t. lie only de- inamled hia cii^nage “directly,” and that Miss Pantou fchould be Muunioned forth with. I made the l**st use I could of the time left me. » ‘ I'm nncomtiionly sorry you' do not ft*ej Hpial to .staying a little longer, tny lord. .*1 eonntiHl on siKiwing yoti a few trifle/ of precious stones, tie* salvage from the wreck'of tny p i— - dons. Noth ing in o-rtHpirikon with your own C(*ll«*o tiou.” T.ien I stowed away my emerald my strong box. It is built into the wall of my sit ring room’ and masked by the lower part of an old carved cal: bureau, j put away e>;en tho rings l Vwn't* h ibiiuuily, k -'eping out onlv an inferior eats *ye for \vo:>*adai* wear. 1 d to 1k_* the otie r end *>f tile tlit*,'* .-v*. . > I was ali.ne in the ln*lls«*i*tieaftermnui, sitting b\ two wiinlow toying with the k*-v *4' nu -afe and u-*n-4««i tug u lu-tiui L l.ir»* treat niy-i if fo a |**s-p at my trean- •uies, when a Hu-picious inov* uient in the pai U Mlow caught my attention. A Mack figun.* ••ertiiinly d'Klgcl trom Mk- 4 hiinl one tre«* to th** pext. ai.u then into th<* -tiad<»*.v • if the pari? paling, nisteadnf ke« ping t“* th*.* f< lot path. It l«*oked pi«*er. 1 c-’-ught ri* my field glass and aiarked I nn at one js4int where lie was txiiind to couk* into the o)H‘ti for a few Ueps. ,lJe cros.'ied tile strip of tuif with gian* strid**s and got into cover again, but red quick Enough to prevent me rev.’g-eiving him. It waa—great heavens —fin* bishop! In’a soft hat pulled over tils fj.rciie.el, with a I tig cloak a*id a big stick, he looked like a jn»achcr. * (juelcd by some mysterious instinct I hurried to meet him. 1 ojk-iksI tiie eon- ■M“rvai"r\ door, and in le* rushe i. like a ImnJIed : ibbit. Willeuit explanation 1 led him up 1 he side st airca e to my room, .vli'T 1 lu'dropp d into a chair and wijK'd his face. : —“'You“ire—astoni-hed Mf At*b*ur ? -4ic pant«*d. “i will explain *!;.ectly. riianks." lb* toss<“d <*(1’ the- glass' of brandy 1 had i*oured out witluiut wait ing for !4k' qualifying so la, and looked better. “I am in serious trouhle.' You can help iheT Fve ti-el a stiock today—a grievous shoe!:.” H* .-top’H*d and tried a h'*avy\qrtoniau -ri.epub hiui-self--huretlu.*-?. ■ “I must-Lrust Tim impjieitly, M-r. Aetou. I have , fib choice. Tell me what you think of this,” He dn'W a < use f;‘6ni liis lueast jun ket ann. oiK-tied it. “I promised you 'should i dinner party. Tom's hosyTtahUi soul is vexed hy the lael^of entertainment we had provideil l«-fi W<* must ask the lirownleys some diy or oilier, ahd they v.’IUlu* dclighte*'! I-* meet Anythipgiu (Tie way of a ladyship, '*r such smart folkspis the DnWrly-lWkent. Then we lliajrtni- well have the Dlomfields, and mr that awful moilern Serres dessert ftcrvic* she gave us when w® were tnsr- ri*-d.” 1 had no objections toftnnke, nnd sh** witit on, rnblniig Imt soft cheek Against my shoulder like the purring little cat sin* was*. “Now, 1 want you to do something to please tin* nud Mrs. DlotnliehL Sis* has set her heart on *»•«•- iug yotir riihi*-s, and M though 1 know you hate her MlMuit as much as you do lluU , bt rrrs etiina"-*—- “What! Wear tny mWeft with that! I won't. I'll tell you wliat 1 will do i though. I've got Home carhifBcles as * lug as pr.ze g'K**K*lK-rri**H, a whole net. Then you have only to put those Dolie- titinn^l.i-H* va**4‘s an«l can«leN*l>ra on tin* table, and let yottr gardener do liin ' Worst with his great forced, M-entle-s; vulgar bl'iuiii*, and we shall all lie in keeping.” l>*ta |s*nte*l. Ait iil**a strin lr] i tne. “t tr. I’ll ih» ns you wt-h, on otn* conditioB. You g«*t Lely Car witchet to wear her big sapphirr and don't tell » Imt I wish it." i I livisl through the next few dst* as one ifi M»u>e evil dreuui. The s.ippuire**. like twin sj*eclers, haunted nie day and night. Was ever man so tAtitaliz***!? To hold tla* suadow and s.s? the Aids s’.iti e «lang|**<| t*‘iiiptiuglr within my r**a« h. The hishop inade no nigti of rid ding mu of my itnwelcotiie charge, and thu thought of what might hapiM*n in r;ua* of ft burglary—a fire—an earth- quake —made me At art and tremble at all sorts of in<*p|*ortinie inoitietits. I kept faith with L-tn. un*| reluctantlv pr"«liiee*l tny M-autiful nihus on tho nufht of Ik r dinner |tartl*. Ktncrging from tny r<M>in I cam** fnll u|«*n Lely 1‘arwitclM‘t in tli« corridor. She tri* dr**s*K'd for dinner, and tit li*’f throat 1 caught tb* blue gh am of the great sapphire. L* ta had kept faith with me. 1 1 doti'i know what I stammered in reply to her ladyship's glib rem.irks; my whole soul wa* ah-orls-d in the contemplation of the intoxieatlllg l*i\*eliu**s4 i>f tile gem. Tliat’a Dalai* Kovnl di's'epiiont Incred ible! My fingers twitched, my breath cairn* short and fierce with the Inst of p*•ssesaioO. She nniat have A»*en tbeisjv- et**us glare in my eyes. A look of grat- ifiod, spiteful coinplacetwy over-pread 1 li* r features, a* she swept on ahead and «le*celid**d tin* stairs la*f*»ro UK*. 1 fol lowed her to*the drawing r<s*m d«s*r. She stopped suddenly, and murmuring something uniuteihgible, hurried hick again. Kverybody wa» assetnhltKl there that I ••xp*vted to see, with an a Idiiioii. Not II welcome one, by' the li»ok on Tom'* face.* He stood on the hearthrug c*iti- versing with a great, hulking high Slioiild«*n*d fellow, sallow faced, with a lieuvv mustache and drooping eyelids, 1 from the corners of which 11 tsh**d out a Sudden suspicions l<*ok as 1 nppriKM'iied. | whieh lighted up Into a greedy one as it rested oil my rubles, and Hi •••Hied UllAU- count.'ibly familiar to me, till Lady Car- witehet, tripping past me, exclaimed: ' *\Ib* h;is come at last! My uaiiglitv, naughty hoy! Mr. Acton, is my j ikm, Lord Cat witchet!" 1 broke <.fF short i;i the midst of my lite ackiiowleilguients tb stare hlaukly at her. The sapphire was gone! A great gilt cross, with a Scotch pebble like an lit id drop, was her sole decoration. 1 had ta put my peiufcmt away," she dee the VaMer, sapphire. Look there!' The vxhiez sapphire! A great, hig, Rhining iumn of Lb .; "rystal-tlawics* and of i *. i tNci'lor—tliat was all. 1 Th*- l•(’shop’* face was ghastly pile, and the tnot-t’ir** start***! on In* brow. I racked my bnuu for sofiio wor»I of com fort. “Mis* Panton inay never marry.? "Uut sh** ivillT’he He'Uted. “That i* the I low that has 1h***ii dealt me today. My chaplain actually, my chaplain tells me that Ik* i* going out a* a tcii!|M*runre missionary t«» equatorial Africa, and has the^n-sinancy t«» add that In* la-lieve* m4Ml|iiigliter i- not indis|H»s»**l to mccoiii- pany him.” ILs consuming wrath acted a* a imtinetitary stimulant, lb* sat iqs nglit. his eyes flashing ami his brow thunderous. 1 felt for that chaplain. Then he coll.ipsed tur’-erably. “The sapphires will have to bcpriMlneed, iden tified, revalued. How slialt I come out of it? Think of th** disgrace, the tipping up of oM scandals! Lven if I were to cninpomid with La*ly I'arwitchet. t!i<; sum sh«* hinted at was to<) moustroti.*. She* wants more than tny money. Help tne, Mr. Acton! For the sake of your own family interests, help used” “1 beg your pzrdon—family interests? 1 don’t under: land.” “If my dnughjer is chiMIcPS, her next of kiu is jKior Marmailuke Pantou, who is dying ardkvmu-H, not luan u il or likely to imf-r;?; and failing him, your nephew, explained confidentially;-* trie<l.ispTiad Sir Thomas Acton, succeeds.” • got broken heunehow.” 1. di*ln't believe My tiepbew Tom! Leta, or Lota's a word, baby, might come to Ik* the possible in- Lord Canvitchet contributed little to heritor of tin* great Valdez sapphire! the gen«*ral entertainment at dinner, hut Tiie hloo*l rushed to my head as 1 looked fell into confidential tidk with Mrs. at the great shining swindle lx*fore me. Duberly-Parker. I canglit hvfew' hnin- “Wlfiit diabolic jugglery Was at work L telligible n.n.irks a*ro.“-s tin* taliK They when the c>G.iinso^was : , nader Ijle- referred, 1 Hdisoquently di-<*oyeretC to mainled tiercelyWv the lady** little l**;ok on Northchtm* “It must have been on the last occa- races, and I recollected that the spring sion of her wearing tin* sapphires in Lon- meeting was on, and .tomorrow “Cup don. 1 ought never to havedgft her out Day." After dinner there wa.s great*t;dk of tny, sight.” aljoiit getting up a party to go oii G«*n- “ You must put. astop to Miss Panbrn’s Mai Fa)i b.id's drag. Lady Carwitchet marriage in the first place," 1 i rononnoeiTWyas in ccstacies and tried to coax me had .jnsy made-all sat'** when Leta t,i; j*'*d b)*>k if tip. breatlt^l^on it. drew cut tny at tiie’«l »ir amLcane* in to wish me good night. Wribe looked flushed and harassed„ami ready to cry.. “Uncle Paul, ’ she l***gin, *H, want you t*» g*> up tb -town at oiieo and stay away till 1 send f<T you." ^ ^ - “My dear:'— I was too amazed to expostulate. “\Y< 'v** g>*t a—a pe-tflenc * among ns,” sh • d M'laiv 1. h* r Tsit tapping’the gr*mu*l angrily, •‘and the h a-t we can do is to go .nr** quarantine. Oh, I'm s** sorry m;i*1 ashatM***!! The p >or bnbtop! The lifithop clft-ja* 1 h heart, ill* breathcain*- lai d Over IS “A return plaitH*! with tignkm g of t* a<M? zvau—tL tuUilrJ sic. • iort and quicS. »f that. dizziiK*>*,*' h«- cst- a faint suiiie. “ Y *n ar>* e \ il lex s ipjiLiiv, are y»ai I u» tj* Uaic lac U- sxure it 11 • - 11.111 tiMN-f that H •ttmti I** *•**. \4tifdid your la^t f r me. Ifn l*t Paul, and manage*! it all it** um*. . I ha? what I let ween ng r***.ui K -fiT*- din- JpjK*-lta“ .m l- *.f tfic tnrougii «ilooui a A«liiiiR|b!y .i -is ;*"1 ag »:n- ii ;*•• Jkh * diisk»*f the draw te r and Wing put at table, W“* mi gut M> d-l. W’i inagnifl**r,*l'H*“ke«l at it in brie light arid another. 'Vhat was wrong with it? 1 could not y iv.' Nine experts out of ten wo’:!<l undoobi.e*liy iiave jrmuounced the sUuie genuine. 1, by virtue Omsoine mynteriou* instpnzt that ln^ . hithert a I way* gni»le«l in.* aright, was the un lucky tenth. 1 looked at tiie bishop. His eye.-met thine. .There was noticed of spoken \vor.d between us. •‘Has Lely <'arwitrln-t s’.iowu you h**r •sapphire?" was Jus ritost uuevj** '•t»*'l ques tion __ “She lifts? Now. M/. Acton, on y.'. ur honor fcp a conno.:-se"nr and a gen- .tleman. which of tu * l.v.) is thv V'aWez?*' - “N«H tins arte.'* 1 could say naught cine. Yort wrre inv list hope." .lie broke off and drop|**s! fits face on hi* fi>i*)e<l anus with s g- in tint shook the table on Witirb tie r***«r-*l, winle I stood dis mayed at ray^df for hattbif Jef fs 1»*tf • juU^tu c: ns-xyh dm. lie UfU-d • as iiutocratiCally as he could have done himself. , “Not to be thought of,” ho ndruitted helplessly. “Mira lus my fbree of fdi«r- aeter.. Slid kuo,ws iu*r rights and she jiviil have her jewcl.T, I want y*m t*» take charge of tin—thing for me. If , it's hi the house she ll it. She'll inquire you haVe it we can g.ftih time, if huf ff*r adayertw**." He broke off. Carriage wheels were crashing-on the gravel out side. We looked at each other in-con sternation. Flight was jm|K-raftve. I hurn«**l him down sVairs and oqt of the conservatory ju-t as the <1* rla-11 rang, i thiiik we 1 '"tb l«»>*t our b ads m the, confnfion. He shoved the cam> into tnw hand* and I |H*ck*‘te.l it, witlmut a thbngftt <*f the aw.fnl re**j».*n*il.ility 1 was tmurring. ami haw him •lisappt-Ar int<* tne shelter of the fn^n«llr uignt. When rthiiix of whAt my feelings wen» "thAt eventog-£ftf tny mur*lerous hatred of ta«C ttnirkin j, jesting Jexrbri woo sat . “I cin’t. I haven't got it. I had trt raise H^nnething on it la-fore I left town.” “Wi.l you Hwear it's not in that ward- robe? I dare kiv you will. I mean to Bee. Give tuc-lluSkt key*." — 1 heard a struggle and a jingle, then the wardrolie d*»or must have lieen flung open, f**r a streak of light struck through a crack in tin* wood of the Lick. Cn*e|e ing close ami (K-oping through I could k«o an awful sight. Lady Carwitchet In a IlintHd wrapper, minus hair, tenth, r*tttjnlexlon, pointing a skinny f*»refinger that quiveri**! with rage at her sou, who was out of range of my vision. “Stop that, nnd throw those keys down hen* directly, or I’ll rotme the lionsr. Sir Thotuaa i* a magistrate, ami ’will lock you up n*f soon a* look at yon." She clut* h***! at* the bell r**jie as she sjioke. “I’ll swear I'm In danger of my life fn*tn you and give yon In rhsrge. Ye#, ami when y**n're in pnaoti I'll ke^p yon then* till you die. I've often thought IM do it. HoW als*’lt the hotel mbber- b** loot MUinmer at Cowes, eli? Mightn't the police Ul* grateful fur a hint or two? Ami Imw ala*nt"—-- The ley* fell with a crash bn the Iasi. nrcoiii|Kilin'd by soin** bttd htnguAge in au n]s»iogeiic tone, ami tiie door slammed to. I crept tP'inblmg to Iasi. This new ami h«>rnble complK*Ation of the sitnation fil'r*! me with dis may. Lord Carwitrhet's wnlfiah glam e at my rubies t<*ok it twit meaning. They w**n* safe rnough. I la*li«-v«sl— lint the • zpphire! If lie di*tieliev(*«! his I mother, how l**ng wonld she lie aide to > keep it fnitn hi* clntrhek? That she had aonic pl«*t of her own, of which thw bishop would eveiituslly he the victim. I did not doubt, or why had she not made Ikt bargain with him long ago? | But *npi»iMiiig *he took fright, l<**t Iter head, allowed lier son to wrest tile jewel from h**r or give erfiiscnt t*» its living mutilated, divided. I lay iu a cold per spiration till moming. i My terror* h.tuiiUs) me all day. They wen* with me at breakfast time, wlieti L«dy Carwitchet, tripping in smiling, mi*!** a last attempt to indnee me to ac company Ik r ami keep her “Dad. I>a*l tioy!” from getting among “those homd lietting men!” They haunt***! tno tlin»ngh the long peaceful day with Leta ami the tete-a- tet-e tlimier, Imt tlmy swaruie*! aronn*! and In-set me Hon*st wlien, sitting shine 1 over my sitting fonui fin*, I listened f*ir ! the return of the drag party. I n*sd my Bews|ni**r ami bn*\v***l iiiy*<*lf s«»i1Ik* h*»t strong drink, but there Come* a time of night wlien, ihi lire can wann ami ml drink can clieer.* Tiie bishop's duiqiair* ing face kept me coui|Kftny, ami hi* troiibh** and tie* Wrongs of the future lair tisiIC |**-siy*«n*>tt t*f me. Tlien th« uncanny noiv * that irtakc all old houm * ! gho'ilr duriiig the small hours la-gan to make tle-ui-K-lve* lex'ird. Mudbrd f*s>t- st«*i*s tnnl the corridor, stopping to listen at every door, door latches gently clicke*!, I lamrd* creskcnl unr* asonably, s**umln <*f steallliy movement* came from the locked np hithrooin. Tiie welcome cra-li of wheels at las| and the sound of the front door Im*II. I could h**:»r Lady Carwitchet making her shrill adieu to her friends and her steps j in the corridor. She was softly hum ming a little song as she approached* f heard li**r unlock tier bedroom door l*e- fon* entering—an mid thing to do. Tom came sleepily stumbling tb his room I later. I put my head ont. “Where G Lord C irwitcliet?” “Haven't you ^0'*n him? He left ns hours ago. Not come home, eh? Well, he’s wi k'omc to stay away. 1 don’t want to se* more of him.” Tom'* brow was dark and hi* voice surly. “1 gave hint Mo understand a*much.” Whateverliad happened Tom wa* evidently too Uis- ' gusted t*i exidain just then. 1 went back to my fire unaccountably relieved, and brewed myself another and a stroiigeridirewi It xvarmed me thirf time, but excited tne foolishly. There must be «ome way. out of the difficulty, Lfelt how as if I could almost see it if I gave my mini to it. Why—snppoee— tiiere ruigiit be*no difficulty after all! The bishojrivki* ft nervousohl gentleman. He might hkv^ lie;-u mistaken all through. B jgqert* might ha^ve been mis taken, I might— Nori^LconhJ not have been mi^t i’cen—dr l tliotvght. not. I fidgeted and fumed ind argbed with myself till I found I should halm n( * peace of mlml Without a l«a»k- at the stmie in my jiowessioh, and I actually went to the safe and took tile Case out. . The.sapphire certainly looked different by lamplight. 1 sat and stared and all but Overpersuaded by better judgment ty critrng it a verdict. Bogaert's mark i^TNl'bb nG feniembered It. I took my magnifier nnd held-the pendant to the light. There, scratched flpuu the stone, was the Gff^k Beta! , There cane a tap on tny door, and before 1 ccatld answer the handle turned softly and Lord Carwitchet stood be fore me. 1 whipped the case into mr dressing gowu |iocket ctared at him. He was not pleasant to look at; ny. I *hUl hare to borrow *»ny irsio * esj*eciaUy at that tlms of uigbL Ho fire before! can leave this. They II be m diaheveied. dsspaMte air. h^ fla.1 eo rngh to lend iL” j ruice wa* hoaraa, hia red Not ooly iu-i t ..e portiere j6?ii re- e)id nrtajoiiiiiig e Leta declined jiofeilively. Toiiiftecepted sulkily. The l(K)kin Lord Carwitchet'* eye re- turned to iiiYqnind a* I locked up my rubies that night. It made him look m> like nis mother. I wVqt round my fas tening* with Unusual Hire. Safe and .'lj make me produce closet* and desks^nd doors, rtrp*d thrin J atT*tl>* ^atik* *rV.. If all. Coming at length to the butlrrcoui, it opene*l at cmift*. It Was the hou>e-. maid’s doing. She had evidently taken v advantage t.f my having-abandomd the room to-give it ‘ f a thorough springCl* an- ing,” and 1 anathematized her. The -furniture waa »11 piled together an*] v«nle<l with sheets, the carpet and felt curtain were gom*, there were new broom* al*out. As I peered ground,, a V. ice clone at my ear made me jump. Lely Cantutcbet’a! “I t**H you I hare nothing, not a pen- *