The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-07-08

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l went in his company, of course and
certainly could not misunderstood the
hearty cordiality with which we were both
invited to call again.
Once in the street, however, De Roos
laughed a silvery, sarcastic laugh.
81 see, nv dear fellow, you understand
business Rather think you have put
your foot in it, hey ?"
81 should rather say l had" said l,
though not exactly comprehending how.
"COnfOund my stupid blushes y
81 should say so; but then there's no
harm done. Her paleness was as unlucky
as your color. You're man of honor
though, and you'll keep mum?"
Mum as the grave. Do you de much
of that kind of business? | shouldn't have
thought it just there"
My venture in this remark was a good
one, for it implied infinitely more knowl-
edge of the world than 1 possessed.
"We've perfect run of uptown trade,
replied De Ross; "and they're no worse
than lots of other women whose husbands
and fathers draw their purse strings a trifle
close They're fixing for a party just
now, and if the diamonds won't go far
enough | guess the carriage will have to
be mended."
81 don't take. Can't you do the car
riages?" said |.
"Oh no; that's in the ductioneer line
l reckon they've never spouted any turni-
ture, and maybe not the carriage. The old
lady owns her jewels and furniture, etc 4,
la her own right; only 1t wouldn't do to
let the old man know WHIST she does, you
know. Sometimes the auctiOneers are
awkward about leaving securities on store
in the house, too, and that's bad where it
won't do to move it"
II see. How do they take their inter
estY"
"Oh, only the legal, you know; but
then there's commissions and a whole die
tionary of charges. Good ten to fifteen
per month"
profitable, l should say. Inever knew
about that. Reckon I'm dished there now,
any way"
"Not by no manner of means! Safe
for a perpetual invite as l am myself
Couldn't afford to make an enemy of
you-don't you see?"
"Do you go there often?"
"Not very. This party, any how, for
the old mans away, and it's bound to be
tip-tOp affair. You'll be there, of
eOurse?"
off get my cards in time"
"Oh, no fear of that. Let's go to Del
monico's."
1 went, aud certainly did learn coed
deal that evening Such men as De RoOs
are capital instructors, and he seemed
fairly to have taken" TO me.
My card for the grand De Silver party
came quite as promptly as the diamond
broker had predicted; but before the ar
rival of that auspicious occasion received
q neat little note inclosing five dollar bill,
and thanking me, in terms Of most lady
like and sincere gratitude, for the Oppor-
tune benevolence which had prompted my
QuixOtic load. The note was signed plain
| ly, "Clara PAYNE" The circumstance
gave me no pain whatever, but brought
vividly to my memory the conversation
which had involuntarily overheard.
The party was every way worthy of the
efforts and sacrifices of which | was the
brilliant and successful fruition.
met De Roos there, and at certain
pause in the rush and whirl of the festivi-
ties Ome,hing prompted me to whisper
him: "Not much falling off in the dia-
monds of the family. On my word, they
look as well as the real"
And he replied I'VE have to be up to
that, my dear fellOw-trick of the trade,
you know, wouldn't do to be detected"
And then he whirled away; but on a
closer examination, as the stately Matilda
whirled away with me in the subsequent
German" the idea became strangely
fixed in my mind that the imitation was
altogether too good, and that the diamonds
worn that night by the heiress of the De
Silvers were real 1t puzzled me, but il,
only led me to the utterance of remark
in praise of their brilliancy, which was
rewarded by sweet smile and an increas
ing pallor on the cheeks of my lovely COM
panion.
Icalled most assiduously after that, with
a vague idea that any deficiencies in my
wardrobe were quite likely to be over
looked, and found to my unspeakable de-
light, that was beginning to be received
on most confidential footing; in short,
quite in the character of friend of the
family. l even met the banker himself
once or twice, but could not plume myself
on any very marked attention from him.
Meantime De Roos assured me that the
carriage had not required "mending," and
that the diamonds of the fair Matilda and
her duchess-like mother stood in no i'm
mediate danger of forfeiture
As for myself, my employers rather
liked the idea of my circulating in the
"upper ten and awaited the next in
stallment of my Insignificant stipend with
serene indifference to anything but the
fact that it would enable me to redeem my
watch if not my chain. Somehow want
ed 10 be square with De Roos at the ear
hest possible day.
1t was by accident trifle over a month
say a day or two, when presented myself
at nv friends Office, money in pocket,
with intent to regain possession of my
ponderous and somewhat cherished heir
LOOM Who so polite rs DE ROOs?
"Chair, my boy. Have a cigarg Been
up to the house lately? You seem to be
making good headway there, ha? Serious
intentions, Ell? All right-lOts of lin one
of these days"
Before long Iexplained the object of my
visit, and even the imperturbable De Roos
changed countenance somewhat as he re-
piled, rapidly,
THAT watch Why, I'd no idea you
wanted ever to redeem. Months up, you
know. Sent him to the melting pot yes
terday. Sorry, pom honor. Must look
out for business, you know"
"Monthl Melting potp / almost
shouted II don't know anything about
month. Here's my ticket-every pawn
broker in the city gives year!
And l whipped out my envelope, ard
tore from it the evidence of my property
| and the loan thareou In fact | myself