The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-25
The Amethyst Cross,

The Amethyst Cross,
High noon at the West End! Noon,
with it's strip of blue sky shining
down from the parallelogram OF at
mosphere 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 Grasp
ington and Jones, Jewellers, Watch
makers, and Dealers in Diamonds"
leaned back in his chair with pro-
digious yawn,, which made his coun-
tenance, like unto that of the toy
giants who terrify and astonish the
infant mind by swallowing an incredi-
BILE amount 0f small boys, in the show
windows.
"Heigho!" uttered Mr.. Jones. "a
dull day, this, for businessl"
The words were hardly out Of his
mouth before the door opened and an
elegantly dressed young lady swept
in.
"I wish to look at some amethysts,"
said she. ..
Mr.. Jones bowed low to Miss Mil
lion, the daughter of old Million, who
had made his fortune in hides and
leather. Mabel Million was a tall,
snowy girl, with great black eyes,
cherry cheeks, and white teeth, which
she displayed with great liberality
whenever she talked or smiled, and
her dress was ruby-velvet, trimmed
with lace, that was little dowry in
itself.
Mr.. Jones skillful in the matter Of
customers, scented a bargain at once,
and put in his most affable air as he
spread the tray of glittering orna-
ments on the counter before her.
'I think | may safely say, Miss
Million" smirked he, "that our firm
has the finest assortment of amethysts
in London. Mr.. Graspington HIM
self ordered them when he was in
Paris the last--We have nothing at
all, young woman, nothing at all
We make practice never to give to
street beggars.
"You are quite mistaken sir" said a
soft voice. I'm no beggar."
And Mr. jones' taking second
look, perceived that he lad been mis-
taken.
Jessie Walters was dressed shabbi-
ly, but she was lady. That was evil
den in every turn of her head, every
accent of her sweet, we'll modulated
voice; and in her hand she carried a
, small satin casket.
"I wish to dispose of this" said
she opening it and displaying a small,
r old-fashioned circlet Of gold, with a
, glittering ruby in its centre.
"HumphW remarked Mr.. Jones
rather disparagingly, still keeping one
, eye on Miss Million and the amethysts
e eve don't generally buy such
< things"
"But T hope you will make an ex
e ception in my case," said Jessie falter
e ingly. "We are very poor, and 1 an
+ in pressing need Of the money"
Poor Jessie! had she known human
t nature little better, this was the yer!
: last plea she would have used. Mr.
b Jones drummed indifferently OF
i the counter with the fingers Of his lef
hand
=. "What do you ask for it ?" he in
i quired, without even looking at tn,
r trinket.
IS eft cost three guineas, Sir, when
"Oh, cost" impatiently interrupted
b Jones, "That has nothing whateve
, u to do with the matter. The question
e is, what do you expect nOac?"
!. Anything you are willing to Civ
$, me-" said Jessie in desperation.
''It's worth no more than ten shil
IS lings to me-" said Mr.. Jones.
y "Ten shillings!'
a every we'll. Just as you please.
e dom ask to buy it," said the jewellel
g indifferently, once more turning t
Is the amethysts. .... ......
"I'll take this necklace and the cal
u y pendants that go with it, [ think,
p. said Miss Million, who had bee
e cogitating over the purple stones a.
e this time.
D "You may have it, sir, for tn
rf money!" uttered Jessie Walters
family.
g The jewelIer beckoned to one OF th
', shopmen. With a customer like Mis-
d Million to the fore, be could afford t
4 spend no precious time on trun
IL IL perry ring. The shopke eper, an inst
" lent, simpering fellow, with a wake
c. mustache and sky blue cravat, cam
g forward in leisurely fashion.
r "Your name and address, please
az miss" said he. ........
e. "My name and address ?" repeate
lJessie, What ior2"