Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-17
THE AMETHYST CROSS.

High noon at West End! Noon,
vita its strip of blue sky shining
down from the parallelogram of the
atmosphere that was visible between
the cornices of the building tops.
Noon, with its rush of people, its
great throbbing tide of humanity.
And Mr.. Jones, Of the firm Of
"Graspington q Jones, jewelers.,
Watchmakers, and Dealers in Dia-
monds," leaned back in his chair
with a prodigious yawn, which
made his oountenance like unto
that Of the toy giants who terrify
and 5astonish the infant mind by
swallowing an incredible amount o1
small boys in the show windows.
"Heigho!" faltered Mr., Jones,
ga dull day, this, for businessl'
The words we're hardly out of hi,
mouth before the door opened ant
an elegantly dressed young lady
swept in
81 wish to look at some anne
thysts," said she.
Mr.. Jones bowed low to Mis-
Million, the daughter of old Million
who had made his fortune in hide
and leather Mable Million was
tall, snowy girl, with great blacl
eyes, cherry cheeks and white teeth
which she displayed with great lib
erality whenever she talked 0
smiled, and her dress was ruby
velvet, trimmed with lace, that wa
a little dowry in itself.
Mr., Jones, skillfpl in the matte
of customers, scented a bargain a
once, and put in his most affabl
: air as he spread the tray of glitter
/. ing ornaments on the counter b.
. fore her.
n "Ithink may safely say, Mis-
: Million" smirked he, "that on
| firm has the finest assortment {
amethysts in London. Mr.. Grasl
ington himself ordered them whe
l he was inParis the last--We hay
! nothing at all, young woman, notl
Z ing at all. We make practiC
3 never to give to street beggars."
"You are quite mistaken, sir,
5 said a soft voice; " Pm no beggar,
4 And Mr., Jones, taking a secon
{ look, perceived that he had bee
mistaken.
i, Jessie Walters was dressed shaI
L billy, but she was a lady. That WI
K evident in every turn of her hea,
every accent of her sweetly mod
rs lated voice; and in her hand 81
.. carried a small satin casket.
Q 81 wish to dispose Of this" sa
!. she, opening it and displaying
!, small, old-fashioned circlet of gol
ly with a glitteriug ruby in its cente
n n "Humphw remarked Mr.. Jon(
z rather disparagingly, still keepil
Ss one eye on Miss Million and t
y amethysts. "We don't general
/, buy such things"
r. "But l hope you will make
81 exception in my case" said Jess
II falteringly. eve are very poo
and ! am in pressing need Of t
money"
oil Poor Jessie had she known h
ID man nature little better, this W
pst at the very last plea she would ha
tn used. Mr.. Jones drummed ind
!. ferently on. the counter with t
PPt' fingers of his left hand.
= q What do you ask for it?' he
!. auired, without even looking at I
trinket.
at cost three guineas,
when"
aoh, costr impatieutly int
rupted Jones; "that has nothi
whatever to do with the matt
The question is, what do you
pect now%
"Anything you are willing
q give me-" said Jessie in despe
~ ton. 'bi.y' n'
D cts worth no more than
=" shillings to me-" said Mr. Jones.
"Ten shillingsp
every well; just as you pies
| don't ask to buy it." said the j
''s eler, indifferently, once more tu
ing to the amethysts. qr
"I'll take this necklace and
ky ear-pendantS that go with il
our. think" said Miss Million, who
heen eopltatinp over the puI