THE SHERWOOD HEIRLOOM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE SHERWOOD HEIRLOOM.

(By BESSIE 03. SPOQNER.) - A great commotion reigned throughout the Sherwood mansion. Everything and everybody was upset, for the famous Sherwood heirloom, an exquisitelycut ruby, had been stolen. Not only that, but several silver trophies of .the ancestral home were also found to be missing. Lady Sherwood was very grieved and upset, and sought comfort from her only son, Lord Raynor Sherwood, who Was pacing to and fro in tho spacious library. He quite realised what a' terrible loss this would .ho to his mother 'and.'to'-the' homo itself. The : estimated value of the ruby alone was nearly £2000, arid Lord Raynor know that their financial position, at the. present time, could not stand such a severe loss. Ho turned quickly as he" heard liis mother's footsteps enter the room. Her faco showed unmistakable signs of grief as she crossed the carpet to where he stood, gazing abstractedly out of the window. ' ! "Oh; Eaynor, whatever shall I do?" she cried, brokenly. ■ , ■■• Lord Eaynor turned and put a consoling arm about her shoulders. "I guess we'll just have to wait," ho said softly,, "and see if the police.can discover anything." • v : : ■ ■■

But several days passed and' no trace of the missing valuables could be found. The servants had been questioned and cross-examined, -but no suspicion could be attached to any of them. A week passed and nothing had eventuated. Lady' Sherwood sat looking 'disconsolately through the Brench windowe at tho freshly-cut lawn. Of a sudden she arose and summoned Jakes, the butler.

"Tell Jobson I wish to speak to him." siio said; wearily. ; ■ ■ l ■

Jobson was the Sherwood gardener, who had been employed there for quite' a number of years. .A few minutes later ho was announced, • and shuffled into the room, twisting' his cap nervously between his brown, gnarled hands. Hβ stood at areapectful distance waiting for Lady Sherwood to speak. At length sho addressed him.

."Jobson, I would, like. the. hedges trimmed to-day,": she. instructed, "and see that the roses aro freshly tied over the portico." ■■■, ; ; ' "Yea, your ladyship,"' he answered, with a sigh of relief, and turning, left the room., . -.-•■ ■■•...

Later that same afternoon Lady Sherwood retired to her • bedroom, feeling very much overwrought. Worry and "anxiety had affected her health, and as she lay. there fretting over her lose the maid burst excitedly into the room, gesticulating wildly. Lady Sherwood was both angry and surprised at the girl's strange behaviour. - "Anna! What is the matter?" she asked sharply. "Tell me at once." ' .

Anna strove to,« calm herself as best she could, and at, last managed to make her speech fairly intelligible. "Oh,. your ladyship," she said, with suppressed 'excitement. "Jobson is downetairs and asks to see you h'mediately, and he's got eomethin , under 'is harm." '■'•..

Her-grammar was sadly muddled for tho moment, and she was just taking m another deep hreath-to start talking' volubly again when her mistress interrupted her.

"All right, Anna. Toll Johson I will bo down in about ten. minutes.-" ■

Lady Sherwood's 'voice quivered slightly as sho spoke, and a faint flush stole into her pale cheeks. \ She mado a scanty toilet and .hurried to the drawing room, to find Lord Kaynor already there. The old gardener hugged something tightly under his arm; it looked like a bulky canvas bag. He handed rt to Lady Sherwood with, hands that trembled. . . ■.'.:■■, •-' '~. ■:'" '■ V ' '.' ;••■• ■■■

"I found it. under the hcdge ; that borders the drive," he explained. "So I says tp myself I'll take it.iip to' Lady Sherwood right now." '"'■• : ■.■•••'/•••;' Lady Sherwood took the bag arid placed it on the mahogajiy table and proceeded to undo the buckle.and strap with feverish haste. At last tho Hap felt back, and out rolled a bright silver cup; There was no mistaking the longlost articles, and as they came to the last trophy Lord Raynor took up tho bag aud shook it. Something fell out with a click on to the tablej and there looking like a. wicked eye, reposed a beautiful red stone. Of course it was tho Sherwood heirloom,'and all sorts of surmises were made as to how they came to bo found- under the , hedge. Nevertheless, Lady Sherwood's joy knew no bounds, and now the old Rardener lives happily.in a lovely little home of his own-on the edge, of the Sherwood estate. :.'■'•' ;: ■:• '■ ; .'■' .' .'■, ••: '■: