The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-28
THREE LINKS IN A CHAIN.

Neither the brush nor the pen, but the
lancet and the scslpel are properly my
tools, and yet for an hour past have
been occupied in delineatlng on the can
vas 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
circumstance. Have they anything in
common, despite their seeming dissocia-
ton ? 1 begin to think so. A more dub,
ious problem. If there is indeed q hid
den secret link between three events,
will the discovery thereof aid or hinder
the realization Of my dearest hope? I
have at present no answer to this ques-
tlon.
The first scene imagination has con-
jured anew before me with all the exact
ness of realism reveals the interior of a
jewelers. shop in Renford, my native
town. 1t is fine, large business depart
Cb6C5
displaying through their polished glass
costly articles of vertu-for Mr.. Huntley
magnifies his trade and is a collector
and its counters spread with more cases,
holding in dainty nests gold and silver
and precious stones. fashioned in many
forms of use and ornament. Mr.. Hunt
ley's shopman is busy in the front, re-
arranging portion of the stock, his en-
ployer and I are discussing in the Office,
semi partitioned off at the rear, quess
ton of local politics having no sort of
My father is vicar of Renford, and Mr..
Huntley, as long as can recollect, has
been wears churchwarden. Hence the
intimacy between us and although I
have commenced the study OF medicine
and look speedily to sever the ties of res
idence in the quiet western town, am
still interested In local affairs. Suddenly
the shop doors-there are wisely two
open one after the other, the inner one
with sharp little jerk that betokens ner
vousness or haste on the part of the pros
pective customer. The austere young
man who is polishing an enamel brooch
deity replaces it, slides back the case
bottom with a subdued click and waits
in an attitude of deferential 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 passed.
1t is young girl-she may be fifteen
she may be older-who has entered, and
there is something about her that find
curiously attractive. She is stranger to
me, and therefore, perhaps, observe
more particularly the slim, shapely fig
ure, fawnlike in it's timid yet graceful
movements the pretty, piquant profile;
the clear complexion with the pink spot,
telling of excitement, in the center of the
beautifully nodded cheek the hayward
golden curls that defy the restraint of
the simple sun hat, and the dress of soft
creamy white, which so admirably suits
both it's owner and the pleasant summer
weather. Erect, energetic, with an evil
dent sense of humiliation playing the
foil to touch of unconscious hauteur-
the vision comes back as write.
"You wish to see the principal, miss
Did I understand correctly ?"
The girl gave quick gesture of assent,
he llo
left with only the occupation of the on
locker.
From thresdbare reticule I see pro-
duced bracelet, ring and one or two
other articles which seemed to have
formed part of fashionable lady's outfit
of iewelry. The color has deepened on
the maiden's face, and l am fancying
that she is at once proud of her possess
ions and anxious as TO the result of her
present enterprise. She has reason for
her anxiety, of which it is charitable to
believe she suspects nothing. will be
bold to say that one cannot watch the
changing lights and shadows of her coun-
tenance and think her the originator or
wilful accomplish of fraud.
"These-what can you give me for
these ?" che asks in a low, quivering
voice. "You do buy gems, L believe;
these are very valuable, I am told"
She does not appear to have the small
est appreciation Of the fact that a respect
able trsdesman will hardly make ram
dom offer for iewelry that can be thus
described without inquiry, not only as TO
the bona fdes of the applicant, but as to
the authority also for the sale.
But this stage is never reached. Mr..
Huntley 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 storm line across his
forehead. "Have you any idea of the
worth of these articles, or of sither-any
one of them I" he dryly asked.
think both the assistant and myself
instinctively prick up our ears. The girl,
too, is startled by his tone. 81 have been
said it-that the stones in
the bracelet alone cost e250."