The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-11-06
DIAMONDS IN THE GUTTER

DIAMONDS IN THE GUTTER.
4 little girl sat on doorstep, watch
ing the rain-drOpS rs they splashed in
the puddlcs, stopping to count them in
her misery, for sho had nothing to do,
nothing to think Of and nothing to
hope for.
Hor clothes wcro shabby, her arms
wero scarcely moro than skin and bono
and her largo wistful eyes seemed big
enough to swallow up tho rest of her
face. Poverty was stamped on every
childish feature, and their beauty had
been driven away by that harsh liend,
starvation.
The door behind her opened, and q
man with red beard came out, nearly
stumbled over her, and gave her n
curse instead of an apology; then ho
won't his way down the watery pave
ment, stepping into every puddle he
came across, as if he were in too great
n rage to sec them.
Lottie Smith watched him, and said
to herself:
my! how ho'll spoil his shoe
Ieather!'
Then he passed out of sight, and she
drew her tattcred shawl round her with
n shivcr, for tho street seemed to have
grown darker and colder than it was
before.
Presently window behind her
opened, and something flashed down
like falling star on to tho pavement.
In an instant Lottic jumped up and
&, secured the prizc. holding it up to the
light Of the lamp-post in her dirty
fingers
1t was q diamond ring.
She had never seen such 2. thing in
her life, and she thought the beautiful
jewel flashing radiantly in the gas-lieht
was n star fallen from its place in the
sky.
"Poor 'icklo tar" sic said, wiping
it with the corner of her shawl, ''me
can't take 'ou back just yet, but me
goin' aforc long, doctor says, and then
me take 'ou with me-"
Holding it tight in her little bony
fingers, she dragged hcr tired feet
down one dirty street after another;
but there was q new light in her eyes,
as if small hope had risen up in the
darkness because of tho star in her
hand.
Another gentleman came to the door
step on which she had been sitting.
and being admitted after rcsoundinp
knock, made his way unannounccd to
the drawing-room.
''Sir Felix has been here again,
Marion," he said angrily. "Don't deny
1t, for he told me SO himself"
81 sha'n't deny it, because tits true"
and Marion Dcarslcy rose slowly from
the sofa. "If you wish me to say Not
ut home to every man but yourself,
must tell you that can't do it,
':Do you ever do anything to please
mop" in bitter resentment.
''Yes, but [ sha'n't for the future,
"You know whatp" looking at her in
surprise.
"That tho flowers I givo you are
passed on TO someone elsc."
"WhoevGft told you that tells n gross
falsehood!" and his dark eyes flashed
fire.
''Ho is quite as truthful, I fancy, as
Mr. Harold Battiscombe."
''Whero's my ringp" his cyos sud-
denly falling on her left hand.
"Ah, whercP" her checks flushing.
II suppose the next will be given to
Laura DicksonP"
'Time to talk about the next whom
I've found out about the first" his
brows drawing together. Marion,
tell mo tho truth. Have you, or have
you not, given tho ring to WhittakerP"
IL am not in the habit of making
presents to gentlemen.
mo cvasions, if you please. You
had tho ring on your finger when Sir
"Cortainly. md ho had the good
taste TO say liked you the best be-
cause you could give mo such jolly dia-
monds."
"And you can encourage such snob
as thatr'
81 don't encourage him." drawing
up her long neck.
"Then where is tho ringP"
Sho laughed uneasily and looked
toward the window.
II was desperately angry, because
had just heard of tho roses"
"Thero was nothing to hear" he in
terrupted hastily. ''But I'd tell you
NIL about 1t, only it would not interest
you now"
"Why not nowP" in vague alarm.
because If you give away my ring,
It is sign that you want to get rid of
tho givor,\ his face SGT and stern.
"Good-bye 1TMarion; I'll never bother
you again." taking up his hat.
"WaiS n moment II threw it out
of the window"
A contemptuous smile curlod his
moustache.
. GA likely story; diamonds arc not
generally thrown in gutter!'
eff you won't belieVo me, Co." and
she pointed to tho door, but directly it
had closed behind him, she threw her.
self down on tho sofa, and burst into n
passion of tears. "Oh, Harold, Harold,
come back"
But the days passed on and Harold
never came back, and the pride which
separated each from the other, seemed
toraise an impossible barrier between
them. AS soon as she had grown y