The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1868-09-05
insufferable impudence than their degen-

washerwoman separates with patches OF
red or yellow, the soiled linen of her
patrons, aud you expect me to remain
silent What think you-c my patriot
ism ?"
"Truly, eandor compels me to confess.
that important subject has never entered
my mind .
Really, Mons Dupleisis, I detect in
you an unfortunate predisposition to Gym
icism. You lounge here in the gayest
promenade in the Empire, the most de-
| lightful atmosphere in the world. Doubt
less you have been dreaming of the most
charming woman, over that most fragrant
of segars. You cast your eyes on sleep
ing Rio and presto you are filed with
violence. You are like spoiled child,
gazing at the gleries of shop window
and admiring nothing. Are you going
to cry with mouth .t4R of sugar
plums 2''
Monsieur" SAID Dupleiss. nietly.
you seem well acq INV name
an and = ssssl;S a Fs,,,,I J, CEuFN7,,,, an
information cOncers5De. til III es,,
| converse" @
'Let me hasten to enlIi4S.aa4sssI;u. Percy
Reed, diamond dealer, Rua Gss Ouvidor
at your service. You brought me let
ter of introduction, but unluckily was
out of town when you arrived"
The dark eyes glanced at the speaker
closely as they had watched the man and
the woman. There was something in
that face that commanded respect. The
broad high forehead, the eyes flashing
with scornful mirth, and the thin lips
curling with such a whimsical mixture of
Kindness and sarcasm, bespoke man of
mind. Since his arrival Dupleisis had
searched for these three and he liked
this one the best
Reed took out his eye glasses, and ad-
justing it carefully on his nose, survey
ed DuPleisis deliberately from head to
foot
Before take you under my gracious
protection must frankly confess l will
never look upon your face without being
filled with the profoundest commisera-
ton"
"Why ?" asked Dupleisis, curtly.
"In an early period of your youth,
when the mind was '.wax to receive and
marble to retain, some unwise friend, in
a moment of insane fattery, told yo1
you were sarcastic. | once knew rath-
er pretty and exceedingly amiable youpg
lady who was told she had a musical
laugh, and the consequence was, she gig
gled the rest of her life. Now, if you
do nos wish to see us both locked in here
for the night, come along"
CHAPTER 1.-THE FALSE GEMS.
The establishment of Percy Reed, dia-
mond dealer, Rue de 0uvidor, was cor
ner building, almost the exact counter
part of dozen edifces on the same
square The basement was of polished
blocks of black and white marble, and
the upper portion faced with blue and
white porcelain tiles. From above the
rooms looked out through bow windows
at small balconies with brass knobbed
ratings and thick glass floors; and be-
low, pedestrians gazed in through rose
wood doors and French plate windows.
The counting-r room had more the appear
ance of an elegant piece of furniture
than place of business. The floor was
of strips of satin wood and ebony; the
walls and ceilings were paneled with
rosewood and rows of small, glistening
show cases contained samples of the daz-
zling gems In the rear, but so covered
with the glossy finish as to be almost
imperceptible, was huge vault, contain
ing precious stones of value almost suf-
ficient to change the fate of an empire
Farther back and opening on the side
street was a long, dark hall way, from
which winding staircase led to the res
idence above.
Through this Percy Reed conducted
his guest Hospitality, whatever be its
definition in other countries, in Brazil
means not only receiving the stranger
within your gates but at once installing
him as member of your family. A ser
want was Immediately dispatched after
Dupleisis's luggage, an apartment select
ed for his use and lSEse placed at his
disposal. For week he puzzled over
the streets. Nearly all were narrow, the
sidewalks being scarce three feet in width,
and these were used indiscriminately by
tilburys, carts and gangs of negroes
rushing to and fro with great packages of
merchandise or sacks of coffee. With
the Jehus his experience was rather re-
markable. Ordinances for the preven-
ton of furious driving seemed positively
With cribby, the graz
ing of building with the brass hub of
his tilbury is desideratum. Should
the manoeuvre succeed in sending an un-
lucky pedestrian whirling into a shop
door, he positively beams with delight.
His warning is a peculiar hiss, which
sounds more like our English "hush'
uttered in whispe-. thge any human
expression within our kc To combine
a promenade with a quiet meditation is a
feat difficult to perform. If the hideous
iangle of the bells does not deafen, some
untoward accident threatened life or
limb. But while Dupleisis is admiring
the plaza of Don Pedro, with its bronze
pedestrian statue of the first Emperor,
while he drives to the Bontanical Garden,
inspects the water works and the aqne-
ducts running through the entire city,
or is initiated, to the luxurious precincts
of Mademoiselle Milan I?
While he views the beauties of the
bay from the ferry, mounts the Corco-
wade or explores the wonders of Sugar
Loaf, where is Edgar Fay2 To both he
is speedily introduced, and spends much
of his time in their society,". Mile Milan,
he finds, is most.e6arming woman,
speaking half dozen languages Huently.
She has secured the services of one of
Mr. Reeds diamond cutters, to grind to
pieces of quartz into imitation gems for
the stage. He knew their exact, number
and size He knew, furthermore, tho
nothing in their conduct could be con-
strued into an exhibition of the tender
tender passion, that Mademoissle Milan
and Edgar Fay saw great deal of each