American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-22
VOL. XXIV.

who would cut his best friend to tn
heart TO punish an evil-docr.
" Are you positive that it was the Pres
ident." asked.
Yes" she replied, paively-'. yes
for | remember that he told me that t'
| was"
And did lie come in the daytime?
| " No; he came in the evening, and h,
| wore Il long coat and IA wide trimmed clotl
hat; he had white hair and II broad fore
head"
And you must provide $4,000 tt
save your brother? That is a very great
sum"
-"Yes, know it; but my brot her is very
| dear"
Her gentle face became convulsed with
Il spasm of grief
after it is paid, what them"
Then Allan will be secretly informed
that his wIckedness has been detected.
and he will then be permitted to leave
| the country. The matter can then be
hushed-that is. if it Is managed we'll"
But $4,000. that is a fortune"
Yes; but you forget that am fortu-
nate She made a gesture indicating
for an instant.
"Can you get it in money!
mo; but l can convert some stocks
and some bonds that have and can
draw $4,000 from each of my two bank
accounts"
What, you, yourself-can you do it
without the aid of an attorney or
lawyer"
Yes. l am independent, and 1 am
of age"
'That is very lucky. I am to under
hut have nj adj
cured pert of the amount:H
Yes; l want only $4,000 more"
l turned and looked at the dresses
The young lady at once drew me towar,
them, talking rapidly meanwhile of their
beauty and richness. She seized upon
the uppermOst garment. 1t was an
opera-cloak, or, rather. long pelisse of
a very heavy white fabric, heavily en-
broidered and fringed- Its original cost
must have been in the neighborhood of
5000.
She nervously passed her fair hands
over its thick folds and begged me to
tell her what | would allow her for it, |
told her $3.50. She was evidently pleased
at the largeness of the sum and she hast
lily put 1t down upon an ivory tablet and
threw the cloak one side. She then took
up IA white balIdress and praised that
pointing at the length of its train and
L d
good sum for that also.
She then proceeded with great rapid
ty, forgetting all her sorrow for the mo-
ment in the pleasures of bargaining
Some of the dresses brought $50 and
some four times that sum. All of them
were of the best material and bore the
traces of superior workmanship
When the pile was finally separated
into the sold and unstable there yet re-
maineds$6OO to be gained from some
quarter.
Il have already sold or pawned my
jewelry," said the poor girl, with falter-
ing voice, land l have nothing left but a
diamond cross. must not sell that, but
can pledge it."
Permit me to see it," 1 replied.
She produced it.
1t was very handsome. The stones
were of good size and were well set
Il will loan you the necessary sum for
this as security" said.
All, madam" she cried, in trem-
bling voice, show kind YOU are to me, /
was afraid of you. l thought this would
be one of the hardest moments of my
life, but you have been so frank and so
generous that | feel ashamed that | ever
dreamed that l was undertaking sacri-
flee. Allan is safe. My father Will be
left in peace. Madam, may kiss your"
She threw her arms about my neck and
pressed her soft lips several times to
mine, and the tears upon her cheeks left
a moisture upon my face which seems to
be there even now.
l produced my wallet, and, conscious
that my beautiful girl was blushing red,
l counted out upon the little table the
exact amount that she required.
When and where are you to deliver
this money!" inquired
At noon tomorrow, in one of the
parlors of the Albion" Ia private hoteD
ITO the President?"
Yes, to the President
And he, then, is to assure you that
against your brother will
not be taken, and to warn you that his
immediate flight to Canada will be nee
"Yes, madam
And have you any property left?"
VERY little-really very little; that is,
none that can convert"
You have given, then, all that it is
possible for you to give:n
''1-I-yes. That is, l.
Il understand said l; ''you have
stripped your wardrobe, your purse, your
bank, your jewel-cascs, your boxes of |
precious heirlocms, to pay the way of
your brother out of the Quandary in !
which he has placed himself He Is ig-
norant of it. You do it under no pres
sure but that of love for him and for your
father. Am right"
She hung her head, and in a nervous
manner tired to turn the rings which had
been upon her fingers. But there were
low no rings there.
At this moment there came IA knock AZ
he door. The maid went to it and re
urned with a message from some one
Who wished to borrow the diamond cross
or the night, as hers 1.-THE would be bor-
owers) was being repaired.
My young lady caught her breath and
urned pale. Then she glanced toward
ne.
1t is my brothers affiancee," she said;
she has worn the cross before"
Without the slightest hesitation |
rev it from my bosom, whittier | had
'laced it for safe-keeping, and put it
nto her hands.
You can bring it to me early in the
morning. That will do equally as we'll"
The act was very unbusiness-like, and
never did a similar one. Twas compcn-
ated for the departure from my recti-
ude, however, by watching the divine
IMPRESSION of gratitude which trans
ormed the young girls face AS she re-
,eived the jewel.
She sent it to the borrower with a kind
Message.
l prepared to go away With a delicacv
hat was as pleasant as it was rare for
ne to experience, / was relieved of the
necessity of bundling up the clothing
lad purchased; the maid was directed to
make a parcel of it, and to carry it down
o the carriage which was waiting for
ne.
e