The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-06-08

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mond was gaining power. over him
every moment. For rings sake, he
was polite to a faultto man whom he
would otherwise have treated with
naughty indifference. The stranger,
reserved though he was, thawed percep-
tlbly under this persistent attention. AS
the evening advanced, the two became
apparently good friends; and when, at
an unusually early hour, the company
broke up, Eugene's friend having al
ready departed, he offered the count
seat In his carriage, and they drove back
to town together.
"Where shall leave you ?" Eugene
asked, when they were at last fairly
within the city limits. "Or," he con-
tinued, "if you are not too tired, what
do you say to a cigar and bottle of hook,
chez n1oi?''
The count readily accepted Lawrence's
invitation, and they drove to the latter's
rooms at the Hotel d.. And there,
when both were warmed to still greater
intimacy and freedom, the American
ventured to speak of what just then lay
nearest his heart.
"You have beautiful diamond there,"
he said, at last, as De Rhoan put forth
his hand to take the glass which his
host had just refilled again.
The count seemed to freeze up at once
at mention of the ring. Yes" was all
he answered, and spoke of something
else. Presently, however, Eugene, not
to be defeated by mere change of man
ner, broached the subject again.
81 beg your pardon,'' he said, pleas
antly, "but we Americans are priv
ileged people, you know. am passion
ately fond of diamonds. Would you
please let me look at yours 2"
The count hesitated q moment, then,
with evident reluctance, drew the ring
from his finger, and gravely placed it on
the table. 1t was Golconda stone, very
peculiarly set, being held in the fangs of
golden snake, which was made to coil
several times around the finger. Eugene
INDUCED in the most rapturous express
sions of admiration and envy as he
examined it more closely; and the
counts features finally relaxed little
and he smiled frankly, saying:
1t is for you to pardon me, my
friend. Perhaps was rude not to show
you the ring at once, since it seems to
give you so much pleasure; butt has
been in my family long while, and
there are many painful associations
connected with it. L do not like to have
it noticed; it is rarely, indeed, that L
wear it.'
But Eugene was hardly listening to
this. He was turning the stone back
and forth in his hand, ard admiring
it.
Excuse me once more," he said,
again. 81 know am impertinent, but
may / ask at how much you value
this stone?''
81 am told it is worth sixty thousand
francs. would not sell it for hun
dred thousand"
Eugene grew reckless. 81 will give
you hundred thousand for it !" he said
boldly, looking the other straight in the
face.
In spite of himself, there came into
the counts dark eyes CLEAN of salts
faction at these words. But he was his
cool self again on the instant.
" Monsieur Lawrence he said, with
grieved, half injured air, "you have
no right to tempt me thus. am poorer
than you think. have more than one
debt of honor that troubles me; and
unless l win money this week, l must
raise it upon the ring. But, believe me
1 would almost as soon part with my
life. Only for my honor's sake would
think of such thing"
"At least" Eugene cried, now full ol
hope that the coveted stone might yet
become his, ''promise me that you will
come to me first. 1 will give you more
than anybody else"
CT promise, replied the other, briefly
and then he again changed the subject.
Two days later Lawrence met tn,
count again. He had done nothing bu
think of that marvellous stone ever sine
his first sight of it, and he could no
forbear speaking of it at once.
Count" he said, abruptly, "yol
must let me have that ring. believe
am going crazy over it,"
The count stood still, considering
moment. Then he took the young mai
gently by the arm, and walked alonl
with him.
" could not think of parting with i