The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-11-05

meet all my present dem ads Cora, win
You save fellow-creat1ts's soul by one
days sacrifice of your vshity, or win You
drive me to suicides gIAsef"
"But, Captain Wsyn1-"
Cora turned pale and Dcarlet, and heal
tated how could she I'll him, her re-
jected lover of the past, Mat the diamond
was the betrothal gift q Alban Carries
ford?
cit is enough" he said huskily, turn
ing away, as little Bessie's footstep
sounded in the hall; Thave asked, and
l have asked in vain. The offense never
shall be repeated"
Cora sprang to his aide, pale and eager.
When human soul trenbled in the bal
ance, how could she stop to weigh the
pros and cons of orthodox etiquettep
Take it." she mufm$rsd, drawing OF
the ring which Afban Csfiesford hsd
placed on her finger; but remember, it is
but for day."
His murmured blessing scarcely reached
her ear, so bewildered was she with the
conflict of emotions within her heart !;
and the next moment she was alone in
the room, and Bessie's tiny hand upon
the door-knob
"Where is Uncle Bruce ?" lisped the
child; 81 couldn't anywhere End his eye
glass, and mamma said it was hanging on
his watch ribbon.''
Messrs. Stone & Sparkle's elegant en-
porium of jewelry was crowded as Mr.
Carlesford sauntered down the marble
paved room, but Mr.. Sparkle himself came
eagerly forward to meet the new custo-
mer.
"What can we do for you, sir p ques-
toned Mr.. Sparkle, rubbing his plump,
white hands smilingly together.
Emerald, sir ? Certainly. Please to
step this way. There is a very choice
set just sent in-old Mrs. Balaplan's sir,
that used to be-setting little old-fash-
ioned, to be sure, but the stones much
choicer than you see nowadays. We
would reset them for 500, and"
Mr. Sparkle opened a little private
drawer as he spoke-a special sanctum
where he kept choice jewels, rare canoes,
and priceless antiques. AS he sought
about for the emeralds, Mr.. Carlesford's
eye was caught by the glitter of large
solitaire diamond, set round with tiny
seed pearls.
"Whyr' he calculated, "that's the
ring !"
That we sold you last week. Exactly
so," chimes in Mr.. Sparkle. 1T is here
only on deposit to raise little money
temporarily. We are often called on in
that way"
Alban Carlesford's brow had grown
very dark.
"Who brought it here ?''
"Well, really, sir we don't usually"
Il insist upon knowing" thundered
the young man, furiously.
But to you, sir, in confidence, don't
mind mentioning it," hurried on the ter
rified Mr.. Sparkle. at was Captain
Bruce Wayne"
"Bruce Wayner'
Mr.. Carlesford stood silent for a min
ute or two, while every feature of his
face seemed to settle and grow rigid as if
it had been carved in marble.
"Thank you that will do. / will not
| look at the emeralds this afternoon"
What a storm of contending passion
shook Alban Carlesford's breast as he
walked along with mechanical, footstep
scarcely looking whittier he went.
Deceived, slig ghted, betrayed, his very
betrothal gifts gone to swell the rapacious
purse Of q mere spendthrift like Bruce
Waynel
al have been fool-a love-sick fool p
he muttered between his clenched teeth,
"and l am fttingly repaid p
When Cora Vane returned from her
| days round of music lessons weary yet
happy (for had not the consciousness of
good mans love gone with her on her
tedious way?) she found . note lying on
| the table. note directed in Alban Carries
ford's hand.
She took it mp and broke the seal with
a soft crimson glowing over her face; but
as her eyes glanced over the contents q
deadly hue usurped the deadly carmine.
1t read thus
MISS VANE: return your troth. Captain
Wayne is welcome to the diamond ring, a. well
| as your heart. l want no secondhand afiec-
| ton. A c."
AS she stood there pale and startled q
k ock came at the door. It was repeat
ed !; and then the door was opened rs in
| despair of an answer and Bruce Wayne
stood there eager and smiling.
have brought you your ring, Cora,
and it has saved me. May heaven bless
you as truly as shall ever do"
"It's too late" said Cora, in strange,
hard sort of voice. Read that -
Bruce Wayne glanced over the note.
"Cora," he said earnestly, "this must
not be. No fatal mistake such as this
must undermine thehappiness.of two lives
and through my fault, too. I will see;
him myself"
alt will be of no use," said Cora; he
is stern as adamant, and"
at will be of use, Cora;" Wait here
but half an hour! I"
And Bruce Wayne hurried of.
Mr.. Carlesford was particularly engaged
he could see no one. At least that was
the answer brought to the door by his
servant.
al must see him." said Bruce Wayne ;
"stand aside, my manl'
And he pushed his determined way d.
rectly into Alban Carlesford's presence.
"Captsin Wsyne!'
But Bruce was not to be disheartened
by the frigid sarcasm Of the voice.
"Carlesford - he cried, "you must
listen to me while / tell you what . true
and noble-hearted girl you have won"
And he told the whole story Of the dia-
mond ring.
| As q