Wichita eagle., 1888-03-03
THREE LINKS In A CHAIN.

occupied in delineating on the canvas OF
memory certain scenes that belong to the
past. The reverie painted pictures are
three in number, and each is vivid, sharply
defined and stands conspicuously out in
its setting Of trivial or exacting circum
stance. Have they anything in common,
despite their seeming dissertation? / be-
gin to think so. A more dubious prob
lem: II there is indeed hidden secret
link between these events, Will the dis
covery thereof aid or hinder the realiza-
ton Of my dearest hope? l have at pres
ent no answer to this question.
The first scene imagination has con-
iured anew before me with all the exact
ness of realism reveals the interior OF
jewelers. shop in Renford, my native
town. 1t is fine large business apart
ment, with its walls lined with cases dis
playing through their polished glass costly
articles of virtu-for Mr.. Huntley mag
uifles his trade, and is a collector-and
us counters spread with more cases, hold
ing IN dainty nests gold and silver and
precious stones, fashioned in many forms
of use and ornament. Mr.. Huntley's
shopman is busy in the front rearranging
portion of the stock; his employer and l
are discussing in the Office, semi-par
titioned off at the rear, question of local
politics having no sort of connection with
the present narrative. My father is vicar
of Renford; and Mr. Huntley, as long as
] can recollect, has been wears church
warden-hence the intimacy between us;
ant although have commenced the study
of medicine, and look speedily to sever the
tie of residence in the quiet western town,
/ am still interested in local affairs. Sud
denly, the shop doors--there are wisely
two-open one after the other-the inner
one with sharp little jerk that betokens
nervousness or haste on the part Of the
prospective customer. The austere young
man who is polishing an enamel brooch
deity replaces it, slides back the case bot
tom with q subdued click, and waits in
IN attitude of defepntial attention.
Standing at right angles to Mr.. Huntley's
desk, am facing the shop and the street,
and however injurious, am compelled to
see and hear what passes.
1t is a young girl-she may be Is,
she may be older-who has entered, and
there is something abous her that find
curiously attractive. She is stranger to
me, and therefore, perhaps, / observe more
particularly the slim, shapely figure,
fawnlike in its timid yet graceful move
ments; the pretty piquant profile; The clear
complexion, with the pink spot, telling Of
excitement. in the center of the beauti-
fully moulded cheek; the hayward golden
curls, that defy the restraint Of the SIM
pie sun hat; and the dress of soft creamy
white, which SO admirably suits both its
owner and the pleasant summer weather
Erect, energetic, with an evident sense Of
humiliation playing the foil 10 touch of
hor ha Sin
back as / write
You wish TO see the principal, Miss
Did | understand correctly?'
The girl gave quick gesture of assent;
the assistant calls his master, and left
with only the occupation of the onlooker.
From a small threadbare reticule l see
produced bracelet. ring and one or two
other articles, which seemed to have
formed part of a fashionable lady's outfit
of jewelry. The color has deepened on
the maiden's face, and am fancying that
she is at once proud of her possessions
and anxious as 20 the result of her present
enterprise. She has reason for her anxiety,
of which it is charitable to believe she
suspects nothing. l will be bold TO say
that one cannot watch the changing
lights and shadows of her cOuntenance
and think her the originator or willful &C.
complete of fraud.
"TheSe-what can you give me for
these"' she asks in low, quivering voice.
You do buy gems, | believe; these are
very valuable, | am told She does not
appear to have the smallest appreciation
of the fact that a respectable tradesman
will hardly make random offer for Jewels
that can be thus described, without in
curry not only as to the bona fides of this
applicant, but as to the authority also for
the sale.
But this stage is never reached. Mr..
Huntiey has taken up one by one the
cleaning wares, and one by one laid them
aside after an inspection which has its
result in making him phenomenally
grave and chasing a storm line across
his forehead. Have you any idea of the
worth of these articles, or OF either-any
one of them?' he dryly asked.
think both the assistant and myself in
stinctively prick up our ears. The girl,
too, is startled by his tone. II have been
assured-papa said it-that the stones in
the bracelet alone cost ESQ"
The glance with which she meets Mr..
Huntley's keen look is as open as the day,
and the expression on the jewelers. face
turns to one of pity. Il could not give
YOU as many shillings, miss. The stones
are clever limitations, and that is all.
There is not one genuine amongst those
YOU have shown me- Mr.. Skirrow, let
me have your opinion
The assistant confirms the unfiattering
Judgment, and does il with a sneer that
felt disposed, though with no valid reason,
10 resent.
The crimson tide has ebbed, and the
girls cheeks are blanched; her lips CULVER,
and at first no sound comes from them;
her ewes slowly I'LL with tears. l fear
hat she may drop in swoon, but this
woman's weakness she does not seem to
share. There are seconds of intolerable
suspense for us all At last there is a half
stifled cry: Jack how could your
1t is plain that she accepts the stu
alton, and that her thoughts are even
now busy with the solution of her dark
enigma. For the moment she has for
gotten her environment, and she muir
murs her vain protest against the-to us
unknown cuiprit whose duphcity, how
ever exercised, has plunged her into an
abyss Of shame Then she stamners an
apology, accepts mechanically at Mr..
Huntley's hands the shabby bag into
which he has gathered, by her permission,
the dishonored treasures, and retires. |
question If in all Renford there is a heavier
heart; and | wonder with eager. palp;tat-
ing interest, who is Jack, y and what is
the precise nature Of the nefarious trick
he has rerpetrated
Mr.. Huntley can explain little-only
that Miss Raine and her father who is
said 10 be- al artist are the new people at
Bristol cottage. TH 2. ....
SO indelibly on the retina Of my mind, is
,~-;laly diTarao- in motif and in dafoil