Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-14


funds2"
"Of course"
"And with all the costs as herein spe-
cifedH
"With the costs"
"Well, mind you are exact, for they
will enter judgment against you by twelve
O'Clock; 80 it's your own lookout said
he.
The emissary of the law made note on
the bill of exchange, and so, without fur
ther ceremony, departed.
"Now," said Laure, rs she closed the
gate and slowly wendell her way back to
the house, "now what's to be done
where is the money to be found2"
Preoccupied with this thought Nine.
Simon proceeded straight to her own
room and sat down, wearied and perplex-
ed, in front of her dressing-table. There,
nstinctively, while she was thinking, she
raised her eyes to woman's confidential
friend, her looking-glass. And faithful
friend hers proved, and good counselor,
for, as she glanced at her own image (al-
ways pretty picture), her eyes were es-
pecially attracted toward the diamond ear
rings clinging close up to the little tiny
pink ear, that looked so small beneath the
rouleaux of heavy auburn hair. These ear
rings were the only diamonds she possess
ed they had been given her by her uncle
on the first anniversary Of her marriage,
and were, she had heard, of considerable
value There was but one stone in each,
but the stone was large and of the first
water.
eyes, said Laure, "these may be sutfi-
cient " so much encouraged, she dressed
to 60 to Paris telling the servant that she
should not be home till evening, she de-
parted by the next train. There was d
train every quarter of an hour, so she was
not long kept waiting. On her way she
meditated how she was to proceed All
at once she remembered that they knew q
diamond merchant, an Italian, and she
determined to confde in him.
NJ. Leopard was at home; he was an
old man, solitary and uncared for; it was
like breeze of Spring coming to him for
anything so young and bright as Laure to
visit him. He received her very gracious
ly.
She told her story, and then "you
know" said she, my husbands nervous
temperament, his peculiar principles; he
really has not the money to pay this, and
the anxiety as well as the grief at his
brothers conduct would make him wretch
ed and i'll. Now, can you help me
"By lending you the money!"
"No, by buying these diamonds from
me-"
Here Laure presented her earrings to
him.
buy your earrings2 Yes, they are fine
diamonds; yes, will give you 5000
francs for them; but what right have you
to sell them2"
They are mine"
"My DEAR all you possess belongs tc
your husband; think you had better tel
him the truth"
"No! no! as long as can spare him 6
sorrow | will. Won't you buy my dia'
monds2"
eyes; here are 5000 francs. Wait
here is a receipt; now, read it, and SEE
specified in it the motive which induced
you to sell, and the motive which induced
me to buy. This is only for your justitics.
ton in the future"
"What justification shall ever need p
asked Laure.
"Who knows' You begin to-day witt
a deception; we don't know where thai
may lead you. However, as you say yor
care for the person who gave you these
earrings, wait, | will take the real ones
out Of the setting, and put you in imitation!
that shall deceive every one"
deceive? Oh! I don't want to dc
that"
"You are doing it."
monsieur Leopardil But you won
betray me?"
"Ne, | will not; but you will betray
yourself"
Her ardor a little damped, Laure lef
Monsieur Leopard; but she had the mon
ey in her pocket, and money gives cour
age besides, to pay Instead of to be-
money are two very different feelings will
two very different effects.
Great was her relief when she had tn
bill of exchange and the notary's bill il
her pocket; she rushed back just in tim
to meet her husband at the depot, and t.
go home with him. She had paid two o
three visits in town in order to give
reason for her going out, and related witt
great volubility all the insignificant detail
+ OF her visit. When her husband asked he
: the simple question, "Have you been any
where 2" she felt as if it were judge ask
r ing criminal question, and blushed u
to the eyes. That very evening, as mis-
: chance would have it, a rich agent d
change, who occupied splendid fancy ed
, ifice near them, much larger than their:
| and constructed in the form of q castle
came to pay them visit. With the o'
tentation of men of money, Benazous ha
, diamond studs, diamond brooch, di'
t mond ring-in fact diamond whereve
$ there was an excuse for putting one. |
: order to display his own he began talkin
diamonds.
3 "Where are your earrings, Laurel
f said Simon, quite innocent of the pang h
was infictlng; ego fetch them"
What could Laure do but obey2
, "They were present from her uncle
t | think they are very fine"
: care they brighter than your ring
, Monsieur Benazous2" said Laure, bendin
: down over the agent de change and pre-
4 tending to hold her earring beside hi
s ring.
= "Why, yes; they are
p, Pray, do not say they are false pray
b do not" contrived to whisper poo
0 Laure.
= Benazous looked up from the bright dis
e monds to the brighter eyes, looking i'm
4 ploringly at him, and with gentle pres
n sure of the hand from which she took tn
= ! y !