The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-01-20

literature In one of our colleges. Since
the failure of his fathers commercial in
terests at Calcutta, few years before,
he had been engaged, in addition to his
own studies, in tutoring the son of a
progressive native gentleman, an adher-
ent of the reformed Hinduism of the
"Brahmo- Somaj"-one who was strong
enough to relax for himself and his
family the letters of caste, and was in
sympathetic intercourse vita his British
rulers. In association with the subtle
intellect OF the liberal and emancipated
Hindu, Paulson's own mind had ripened
in kind of religious twilight. irene;
the scion of an orthodox stock, could
never obtain a definition of his creed,
but this had not been necessary through
that long sea-voyage in order to gain her
heart. 1t was love born of moonlight
isolation and the attraction that lies in a
similar destination.
One evening, after their arrival in
Philadelphia, they were sitting together
by the freight in Mrs. Wilbul's parlor;
the gas was burning in the next room,
but they preferred degree of obscurity
in their own neighborhood. His hand
somehow came in contact with the ring
on her finger.
at is homely thing, isn't it?" said
she. "But | value it for dear father
sake. He always wore it. He had a
tinge of romance in his composition.
''Of course you will never lay it
aside" said her lover, as though some
special fancy of his own were prompting
the Injunction. Promise me you never
will, Irenem One would have said he
was speaking quite seriously. "What
do we know about anything, after
all? Is it impossible that the
blessing of good man should be
ratfiedin Heaven from Agra. Is Heaven
any farther from there than from other
places? Revelation is everywhere that
man thinks and loves and suffers. God
is manifested in all things, and all things
are part of Him"
'Pantheistr exclaimed Irene, rebuk-
ingly. ''In plain language, l suppose
all this means that you would treat this
ring with profound respect if it belonged
to you; and so intend to treat it. But
what do you think of its being broken.o on
the under side the hoop where it is
thinnest, you know? 1t must have
snapped this morning, when was romp-
noticed it before
"What do | think? That you had
better take it to the jewelers. to be
mended tomorrow. Stay there while
he is doing it, mind; for if the preroga-
tive attached to the ring should be that
you would vanish into thin air if you let
it 90 out of your sight, the result might
be rather awkward. In view of this
grave responsibility" he added, play
fully, 81 cannot offer to attend to the
matter for you.'
He rose to leave.
"Must you go?"
Then, after number of those last
tender whispers which bear no repetition
like mineral waters, their most valu-
able properties escape when taken away
from the spring he babe her good
night. She remained a while on the
sofa bordering over his words.
The next morning she carried her ring
to the most prominent jewelry establish
ment in the city. One of the firm
CHANGED to wait on her, and examining
the fracture with the usual air of profess
sional Indifference, something suddenly
occurred to him.
May take this ring to the back of
the storeP he asked.
Certainly, Sir"
After a short delay he reappeared with
curious smile overspreading his coun-
tenance.
'Do you know what stone you have
here?"
mo; do not
Something exceedingly rare-1 black
diamond. They are seldom seen in this
country. Ipresume they must be bought
up by the wealthy natives in the regions
where they are found, and -''
''How much is this WORTH" inter
rupted Miss Van Wyck, with wild i'm
patience.
"Well, should say firm that really
cared to invest so much capital in one
article, taking the chances of pur-
chaser, might give twelve or fifteen
thousand dollars for the stone" She
started visibly. ''We have in all of our
own winter stock. Why do you not take
it to New York? That, of course, is the
great commercial metropolis of the couu-
try, and your chances would be ten there
to one here of disposing of it advantage
Ously. | think | know man there who
will be glad to buy it--Mr. Seabright.
the celebrated lapidary. You will find
his address in the directory"
Was it strange if the next train that
whisked out of the Pennsylvania Sta
ton" carried Irene and all. her fortunes
to New York? Nor did she wait to con-
suit Elmer Paulson.
81 will return tomorrow with the
money, she promised herself exultingly.
Rev. Mr.. Talbot, an old classmate of
her fathers, had a pastoral charge in an
questionable locality; he and his wife
had recently invited her to visit them
when she felt so disposed; she would 90
there for the night, mentioning only that
she had come to tire city unexpectedly
on business. How far their simple.
friendly converse that evening seemed
from her secret thoughts! One Irene
answered their questions mechanically,
another at the same time was busily en-
gagged in draping the scenery of the
future.
In the morning she found her way to
MIR. Seabright's. IL was an early hour;
no customers were in the store, and
meagre, weird-looking old gentleman
advanced to meet her.
al wish vnu tn ayan,ina tl,;o ,.;,,c. ~, 4