Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-04-10
A SET OF DIAMONDS,

"Oh, papa, if I only had a set of dia-
monds!"
"Fiddlestrings and little fishes I"
said old Mr.. Dempster, as his pretty
daughter hung lovingly over the back
of his chair; ''why, what nonsense has
the girl got into her head now? Dia-
monds indeed girls of eighteen don't
wear such things"
'Oh, but they do, indeed, papa"
breathlessly argued Daisy. Elena
Mortimore has a magnificent po,u,e,
just from Berlin-and Helen Dyer is to
have one from her uncle, for birth
day gift. And, papa, you are just as
rich as either Judge MOrtimorc or Mr..
Dyer. Papa, do buy me some dia-
mOnds."
Mr.. Dcmpstcr rubbed his jolly pur-
pie nose obviously. He belonged to
what the blue blooded critics of the
aristocracy termed "les noureauc
saches,' having made his fortune by
lucky speculation in sodas and he did
not know just what was 'the STYLE as
to outward decorations. Daisy had
been to boarding school. Daisy had
been educated by Madame Paillctcr,
regardless of expense, and So of course,
Daisy ought to know. And yet, Mr..
Dempster told himself inwardly that
diamonds didn't seem just the thing
for chit of thing like Daisy.
'Well, WELL" said Mr.. Dempster,
"Ill sec about it,"
And he went to take counsel with
his maiden sister, Miss Ruhama Demp-
Stcr.
diamonds, indeed" cackled Miss
Ruhama, contemptuously. II hope
you wont do any such ridiculous
thing. Who ever heard of an eighteen
ycarOld girl with set of diamonds ?"
"lou will, if you live to he a week
older, | guess" said Mr.. Dcmpster,
with a noiseless chuckling laugh; for
| feel it III my old bones that the girl
will coax the diamonds out of me by
that time"
Mr.. Dempster was right. He urged
and reasoned in vain against Daisy's
cagerness to own a set of 'real dia
monds"
"Child," said he. at last, II see very
plainly that shall have to give in
but tell you, once for all, don't APP
prove of ~
Daisy laughed as she pressed her
red lips caressingly to his wrinkled
brow.
Papa! you are SO old-fashioned in
your Ideas" said she.
"Old fashions are sometimes the best,
Daisy" retorted he soberly. How
| ever, You are all the child | have got,
and we may as we'll go and choose the
| foolish, sparkling stones at Oncer'
| How naiSv Donncto,.,2 hoo,+ Ioo,,o1
within her at these words.
You are the dearest, best, kindest
| papa i'll the worldw cried she exult-
antly.
1t was rather difficult business to
select from the glittcring wilderness
! of jewels that scintillated and blazed
| under the plate glass counters at
Messrs. Corby Il Morrinett's, in New
Iork-and when, at last, Daisy had
made her choice, the price proved to
be the by no means contemplate sum
OF $1,000!
Old Mr.. Dempster shook his head
doubtfully, but Daisy pinched his arm
appealingly.
"Oh. papa, do! / know you can af-
ford it-and it is such lovely setv'
Five thousand dollars is a good deal
OF money to put into white velvet
case that can be carried in ones pock-
ct, child! Suppose you should lose it ?
Suppose it should be stolen?"
"Oh, but, papa, that's quite s1mpos-
st6le," pleaded Daisy; ''Fll be so care
full. 'Ptease let me have this set !"
"Pll take night to sleep on it, said
Mr. Dempster.
| IIut tho Oayt avoDipr xhop Do;c,,
came in from drive with her bosom
friend Lena Mortimore, the white vel
vet casket lay upon her dressing bu-
rcau.
Daisy uttered a cry of joy, and ran
| to hug her father, after suffocatino
fashion around the neck.
ooh, papa, papa, you are so good p
cried she, "And they are so lovely
and l am the happiest girl in the
Worldp
There, there" said old Mr.. Demp.
ster; ''that will do, You've got your
treasures let us see if they will salts
fly you'll"
For two or three weeks the possess
sion Of the coveted set of Jewels gave
unalloyed satisfaction to Miss Daisy.
She paraded them on every possible
occasion: she showed them to her five
hundred dear, particular friends: she
contemplated their sparkle, morning,
noon, and night. And then came the
first drops of bitterness in the honeyed
cup. Helen Dyer's diamonds arrived,
direct from Paris, and the ear-drops
and the cross thereunto belonging
Were at least size larger than
Daisy's!
eff had diamonds at ALL" said Mrs.
Slander, maliciously, II should try to
have them Of some size.''