Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-11-06

THE CARNELIAN CROSS.

1lelIl OuluOle WAS JouliS iiHHSi' 60 '''
of distinguished promise. His neat little
domicle and his pretty little wife were situa-
ted in suburban Paris. One early twilight in
the month of November Of 4 certain year, as
he entered his home, his wife ran unto him,
twined her plump arms around his neck, be-
slowing full blown kiss upon his responsive
lips, and Immediately exclaimed, "Oh dear
Henri had such surprise, such an odd
visitor, this afternoons man with such an
inexplicable fancy that I have been waiting
these two hours for your arrival, and (bestow-
ing q playful cut thereupon) your ears"
"And the ears have arrived, Irene, my pet.
I suppose your merry tongue will rattle away
as merriy as newly wound up music-box ;
and, once started, I shall not have an oppor-
tunity to put in word edgewise until you
have run down completely. But for this odd
man, with the inex plicable fancy Did he,
utterly regardless of the divine set Of his
trousers 20 down upon his knees and beseech
of you to fly with him to some intensely rural
retreat, there to subsist upon moonshine and
his adorable moustache? And was it his mex
plicable fancy that you should be accompa-
MED by such little articles of available value
as this poor hovel might afford? Or, was he
wandering gypsy lord, who predicted that
you we're to be the queen of all proud France,
instead of one humble French heart And
did he, Just as he was about to surround your
august brow with the imperial crown, sudden
ly suspend it and take an inexplicable fancy
to have his dirty palm first crossed with
crown of silver? Or"
"There, there, do cease your badinage,"
said the pouting little woman, stamping her
small foot impatiently. "4ou will never be-
come wise listening to your own wisdom"
"Nor weary listening to yours, my charm
ing sage" lau ghed the voluble Henri, caress-
ing her soft, brown hair fondly; proceed
from this on am all ears"
"Well, let all ears listen. At about three
o'clock this afternoon, as was sitting intent
upon taking the finest possible stitches in the
border of your finest cambria, there came
sharp rap at the door. l fastened, opened it,
and found myself face to face with a man Of
middle age, who bowed politely and inquired
if he were on the Rue de Chalons. On being
informed that he was, he thanked me very at
fably, and was turning to depart, when his
glance chanced to fall on this little carnelan
cross, which then, as now, was lying on my
bosom. He stopped short, gazed fixedly at
it, as though it possessed some terrible fasci.
nation, turned first deadly pale, then llvid
purple, and in a hoarse whisper articuated,
Madame, you will pardon me, for it is no or
dinary curiosity that prompts the question,
but might venture to ask how that trinket,'
pointing trembling finger at the cross, came
into your possession under what clrcumstan'
ces?"
"Well," queried Henri, in q low, interested
tone, "what was my little wife's reply"
"Your little wife told him, sir, that it was
a present from her husband, and that it had
been in her possession about four years. How
or where you came by it, she could not inform
him."
"Then he departed satis6cd?"
"No, indeed"
"Then he inquired your name, age, and
profession ?"
"Did he? do not know whether | ought
to feel complimented or insulted. Did you
tell him."
Il hesitated, and told him."
81 wish you had not hesitated, and then not
told him. Something of moment may grow
out of this curiosity. But it will not matter.
Then he departed?"
"No; he stood absorbed in troubled thought
a few minutes, as though weighing deep
problem, and then said he had taken very
strong and eccentric fancy for the trinket,
and asked if would for a consideration part
with it."
"What was your reply to that very busi-
ness-like proposition ?"
"That, being your gift, I should much dis
like to let it 60"
"Of course, that must have terminated the
conversation"
"Of course, but it did not, though. 1t be-
came more pointed than ever
"Well, we'll, l am eager to learn the de-
nouement," said Henri. IF am not at fault
in my surmises, something will shortly grow
out of this affair that will interest very wide
circle Give me the exact particulars. What
followed ?"
"He said he was wealthy and did not value
money; and that he had conceived so strong
a desire to possess the cross that, wild as the
offer might seem, he would not demur at
giving 500 francs for it.
Give hundred, parJleu! The trinkct is
not worth five francs" said Henri, excitedly.
"The man is a lunatic."
II told the man that the offer was very
tempting, but that could not possibly accept
it without first consulting you"
"That was noble reply, my darling" said
Henri, drawing his wife close to his side, be-
slowing on her an eloquent glance and sever
al passionate kisses thereafter / shall con-
slider you cheap at $4,000 francs! What
said old Crpsus to your priceless answer p
cat first he appeared much discomfited.
A flor q 1;t,lo ,rhiln ha soid he was poinp into
the country to remain week; and that he
should return this way, and if in the mean-
time / gained your consent, or concluded to
part with the cross without it, he would make
good his offer And then he bade me a re-
luctant adieu, went to a post.chaise that was
waiting in the road, got in, and drove off rap
idly toward Chalons.'
"Finallv we have the finale Of act first"
remarked Henri.
EYES," responded the musing Irene, toying
with the object of so much discussion, which
was in reality of but little intrinsic value, and
in no way remarkable, excepting from pecu-
liarity of design. 1t was of clear, blood
red carnelian, the upright pillar being carved
to represent descending arrow, and the cross
piece very fine wrought imitation of wings
"What attraction this bit of a thing, which,
aside from being your gift, look upon as
worthless, can possess to render it so exceed
ingly precious in the eyes of the man, can
not conjecture" continued the puzzled Irene
81 think can furnish you with clue to
the foundation of this extraordinary interest"
remark Henri "What was his general ap.
pearance? That ola coarse, ill-bred person p
all -