The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-04-20

" No no as long as can spare MIN
sorrow | will. Won't you buy my dia-
monds
"Yes here are three thousand francs.
Wait, here is q receipt now, read it, and
see specified in it the motive which induces
me to buy. This is only for your jusriiica-
ton in the future"
What justification shall ever need r.
Who knows! You begin to-day with
deception We don't know where that
may lead you. However, as you say you
care for the person who gave you these ear
rings, wait l will take the real ones out Of
the setting, and put you in limitations that
will deceive every one.
Deceive Oh | don't want to do
that"
You are doing it.
Monsieur Leopard But You won't
betray me n
No but you will betray yourself
Her ardtr a little damped, Laure left
Monsieur Leopard but she had the money
i'll her pocket, and money gives courage ;
besides, to pay instead IF TO beg money are
two very different feelings with two very
different effects.
Great was her relief when she had the
bill Of exchange and the notary's bill in her
pocket she rushed back Just in time to
meet her husband at the depot, and to 20
home with him. She had paid two or three
visits in town in order to give reason for
her going out, and related with great volu-
bility all the insignificant details of her
visit. When her husband simply asked
her the question, Have you been any
where Il she felt as if it were Judge ask
ing criminal a question, and blushed up
to the eyes. That very evening. as mis-
chance would have it, rich agent de
change, who occupied splendid fancy ed-
ifice near them, much larger than theirs
and constructed in the form Of castle.
came to pay them a visit. With the os-
tentation of men Of money. Benazous had
diamond studs, a diamond brooch, a dia-
mond ring-in fact a diamond wherever
there was an excuse for putting one In
order to display his own he Logan talking
diamonds.
Where are your car rings, Laure n
said Simon, quite innocent of the pangs he
was intiicting go fetch them
What could Laure do but obey
They were present from her uncle
think they are very fine.
Are they brighter than your ring, Mon
sieur Benazous = said Laure, bending over
the agent de change, and pretending to
hold her ear ring by his ring
Why, yes they are
Pray, don't say they are false pray do
not, contrived to whisper Laure.
Benazous looked up from the bright dia-
monds to the brighter eyes, looking EN-
ploringly at him, and with gentle pressure
of the hand from which she took the ear
rings he said aloud, "Ahem theyare very
fine diamonds, worth pretty bit Of mon
ey."
Laure breathed again. Mons. Benaznus.
as he walked from their cottage to his
castle, had an imperial air. and twisted
his moustache in most cunquering man
ner.
Well, said he, the little woman has
placed herself Ill my power, though what
she means | can't tell think NJ one
could deceive me with diamonds. however.
will see Tomorrow how things turn
out
Laure was not little surprised next day
at receiving visit from NJ Benaznus in
the middle Of the day he came all smiles
and p0llteness, with boquet of violets in
his hand. He talked great deal of s.n-
timental metaphysical nonsense about con
, fdence, love and friendship: twisted his
moustache a great deal. Laure listened
patiently, politely she was afraid not to lie
polite she felt herself in his Ipwer. At
last pressing his lips and moustsche to her
hand, he took his leave
Next day came fruit and flowers from
the castle The third day came Benazous,
still more metaphysical, still more insinua-
4 ting. This time he stayed so long that he
met Simon at the gate coming from Paris.
Simon took no notice of his visit, how
ever, seeming unusually preoccupied and
silent The next day he came back at an
unusually early hour Laure was not at
the gate, SO Simon walked up to the house.
Passing along the verandah he heard his
wlfes voice in the drawing room.
" Who is within madame J" said he to
the servant.
Who why the man who comes almost
every day, Monsieur Benazous P'
What a bore" thought Simon but
Benazous went away, and he thought nc
more about it. He seemed i'll and out OF
spirits.
" Laure, said he, "you know how i'm
possible it is for me to endure any worry
about money will you make a sacrifice for
me-a temporary one | have a debt
1 hanging over my head like the sword OF
Damocles will you lend me your diamonds
for three months The money can raise
on them will get me out Of trouble, and !
! cam
'DO not explain" said Laure, turning
pale. g If l could would help yon what
| dO | care for diamonds | have sold mime
those you saw are false
False why 7" Benazous, he was 60
ing to say, but all at once the remembrance
of Benazous visits flashed on him in con
junction with the falsehooj he had told
about the diamond, and he held his tong;.c.
He was not any more anxious abor.
money, he was wretched from anoth,~ and
more terrible sorrow. He was Jealous
Still, after a long pause, he ventured to say
Laure, for what purpose could you want
such sum of money n
Laure blushed and played with her hand
kerchief. "Why - said she at length, 81
have caught the mania for speculation
bought railroad stock"
"Oh well, l can get money on that
| lend me the coupons
II haven't got them
"You haven't got them p
Simon made no other remark, but LAur-
felt he did not believe her, and turned from
him in silence.
"Great powers - said Simon to himself
" am | mistaken in Laure, or was she mis-
taken in me Has she discovered am not
worthy of her Can she-no-I will moi
suspect her.