The Argosy — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

64 Lady Ennerdale’s Fewels. ‘Had not Lord Ennerdale so kindly interceded for you, you would certainly have been committed for a month,” were the magistrate’s parting words. As Mr. Dawson and the Earl were driving back to Fairmead they overtook their quondam prisoner, who was trudging wearily along the high road, leaving Crampton behind him. Mr. Dawson reined up his horse fora moment. ‘ Hi! you fellow,” he called out. ‘ Don’t let your face be seen in these parts again, or you won’t get off so easily next time.” | The Earl said nothing, but tossed the man a sovereign. He caught it dexterously, and put it into his pocket. ‘‘ Thank you heartily, my lord,” he said, carrying a finger to his forehead. ‘If we had a few more like you there wouldn’t be half so many thieves in the world.” ‘Then you admit that you are a thief ?” said Mr. Dawson drily. ‘Whatever I am,” said the man, “I wish I may never see the sun set again if it was me as took the lady’s diamonds !” “Gammon!” ejaculated Mr. Dawson, contemptuously, as he flicked his horse with the whip, and in another minute the man was left far behind. Mr. Dawson preserved a sulky silence the rest of the way home. He was annoyed with the Earl for what he called his ‘‘ sentimental tomfoolery.” ‘Then he consoled himself by saying, ‘‘ But Ennerdale always was noted for his eccentricities, and this is only one more added to the number.” The Ennerdale robbery was a nine days’ wonder, as such affairs always are, and formed material for a paragraph in every newspaper in the kingdom. The Earl was persuaded into offering a large re- ward, but nothing came of it; and as he had said from the first that nothing would come of it, he could hardly be disappointed. Such ladies of the Countess’s acquaintance as had diamond necklaces of their own, sympathized deeply with her in her loss, but whether they were really sorry at heart was best known to themselves. The Countess, knowing what great store her husband had set by the family jewels, sometimes felt doubtful whether he had really forgiven her. Although he hardly ever alluded to the subject, she often fancied that there was a shade of coldness in his manner towards her, such as she had never noticed before. Still, it might be nothing more than fancy on her part, but she worried herself all the more in secret because she was not quite positive as to its existence. Time went on, bringing with it another Christmas in due course. On Christmas Eve, Lord and Lady Ennerdale were dining by them- selves at their house in London. They had finished a round of country visits only two days previously, and were glad to be alone for a little while. ‘Do you remember what. happened this night a year ago P” asked the Earl, when the servants had left the room. ~ EMORNIELOOOKS.E@