The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-08
Diamonds.

u,
Ell into the boarding house parlor, where
the three eligible ladies of the house were
lonnging. ''Such magnificent diamonds |!
Just think, he wears pin as large as a fry
ing-pan and ring to march, and hos a
Californian, and isn't married, and lie must
be as rich rs CrGsus, for he's taken the
rosewood rooms all to himself lie is look
Ing for a wife, too; heard him tell Mrs
Crumpct so myself. Isn't it splendid 10
And Nellie clappcd her hands and waltzct
around the room.
~ rich bachelor looking for wife! The
ladies, as if electrified, started from their
apathy and eagerly bcsicgcd Nell, who had
been favored with look at him, with all
sorts OF questions concerning him.
'What is he likc2" asked Miss Bell, who
dotted on tall men. "Is he tall or short ?"
'Wcll,' said Nell, hcsitatingly, she isn't
very tall; in fact, he is rather short and
pretty stout too"
''Oh! y exclaimed Miss Bell in impatienco
and disgust; "but he must have lots Of
money, though" she added, $50 one can
overlook defects. Is he handsome in the
face, Nell2"
''Not rr,,y," said Nell again. "You see,
his face is pretty red and his hair too
"Ah weathcrbcatcn from exposure Mt
the mincs," said Mrs. Lee, an interesting
widow, on sharp lookout for number two.
,Esn ch 4nese dsghff are So chvarous
and such worshipcrs of our sex; and SO
liberal, too, their gifts are often princely."
Here Mrs. Lee glanced complaccntly at her
pretty fingers rs if In her minds eye she
saw the new gentIeman's big ring flashing
there.
That evening brought orr new guest,
whom (not knowing his proper name) we
had christened ''Diamonds"- name that
stuck to him to the end of the chapter.
After dinner he held kind of court in
the parlor, at which all the lady -boardcrs of
Mrs Crumpets establishment were pre-
sented. And never on any one occasion,
had they so We'd with each other III splcndor
OF costume. ..
"Just think" said candid but worldly
minded Nell, eff it wasn't for the mans
diamonds, quite likely we never should
speak TO him, for goodness knows there's
nothing in his looks to recommend him."
The others, less candid, would not agree
with her. His diamonds and elaborate
dress rather enhanced than hid a ruflanly
look he had, which they all called his
charming piratical air; and he was swcctly
and playfully compared to Captain Kidd,
Byron's Corsair, and scores of other darlngs
OF romance.
He at once became the lion of the house
yes, indeed, In more ways than one; for,
like the roaring lion, he went about seeking
whom he might dcvour, but was sensible
enough not to roar to scare away his prey.
He was consulted on all matters of business
by the gentlemen, who would sit absorbed
listeners to his accounts of mining, ant
descriptions of the countries he had Travelled
through. But no one seemed to notice tho
fact that lie never knew anything about tht
many persons whose names were mentioned
to him, although tho life he described a
having led must have brought him in close
contact with many of them. +; ,,ts
1t was impossible for an outsider to tel
which was Diamonds favorito among th'
ladies. After breakfast, lie would lounge
morning paper in hand, into the parlor
where the widow and Miss Bell were sur,
TO repair.
Both ladies bore this partnership will
good nature, as each one managed plenty o
undistrrbed interviews with him. Dia
monds improved these interviews so wei
that he soon became the ailanced HUSBAND
of the widow, and the ardent and favore
suitor of Miss Bell.
80 each lady being under tho blissfu
deluslon that she was tho sole object of hi
choice, could, in her sweet security, dlloN
him to lie gallant to her friend; he was s
gentlcmanly.
"Wc will keep our engagement swct
secret, darling, he said to tho widow, Gun
til my birthday, just three weeks hence
1t seems long time to wait, dear onc,"
said, caressing her "but it would give m
such pleasure, to make 1t known on thu
day. How aslonishcd they will all bt
won't they, pete Now just set your lttl
head to thinking what pretty things 70
would like motto get for you. Do not /
afraid to tell what you fancy, for whatevt
money can purchase my wifc shall have. u
There was no need to make any sue
request Of Mrs. Lee, for her little head ha
been busy thinking ofqwhat she aiptende
to have ever since sho had met Diamond
First came Ills diamond ring and pin--ca
R assNellie said, Nas large, as a frying-pan-
which shc already looked upon rs her ow
property 5faRa-a s4i 6y' e4 qsls 20
tt'3l'Htis in. bad taste for gentleman
make such a display, I" sho said to herscl
II can easily talk him into giving them
Z. me. Won't they all be Jealous The
are that absurd Mise Bell and that oontsml