The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-06-14

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life OF hermit.
First he made love TO one girl, then
to another. Innocent little Grace had
her share Of flattery and smiles and all
NEWPORT declared that the .'dIamond
man" would surely marry one Of them.
One evening Maud stole to her room,
with diamond ring on her finger.
The next day Elsie had one In her
pocket-book, and on the third little
Grace had great glittering thing un.
der the candle flame and whispered:
II wonder what he means2''
TO Elsie the young man had SAID
something about diamonds matching
her eyes. To Maud he had said that
the diamond would, for the first time,
become precious IL she wore it. To
Grace nothing Of the sort. at first she
had refused to take 1t, but he had an
swered:
81 gave your sister Maud one last
night"
And then she had slipped it on her
finger.
A tear as bright as the gem fell upon
It as she hid it in little casket where
she kept her few ornaments. and asked
H .aven to forgive her If she still cheer.
ished thought that would Da wrong
Ii he became her sisters husband.
"Girls," said Charles that evening,
coming into the parlor, "I've come to
give you a warning. There's a story
ailoat about young Edmonds. They
say his diamonds are paste. His SER
want told some men at the hotel so, He
may be an imposter after all.'
Maud started. Elsie grew pale.
Grace looked indignant. The entrance
Of callers interrupted the talk, and
later on Elsie sought an interview
with her cousin and showed hlm her
ring, and told him its story.
ut will be as we'll to have it tested,n
she said. 81 don't want to make any
mist axes"
"You're cool girl,' said her
cousin, in admiration. II will have the
thing done.'
An hour afterward another ring was
in his care. Maud had brought him
hers. But Grace never for a moment
thought Of doubling that the glitter
ing stone on which she had dropped
te&rs was genuine.
Cousin Charles went cityward that
day. and returned pale and serious.
He bowed coldly to young Edmonds as
he passed him on the piazza; and Elsie
and Maud knew what had happened
when they looked at him, but they
went for the jewelers. verdict all the
same. As rendered by Charles 1t was
this:
''Paste, by Jove."
Then the girls waxed furious. So.
ciety had cut Mr.. Edmonds before the
next night, and the landlord regarded
him doubtfully as one whose bill was
not likely to be paid. Only one stood
by him--it was his little friend, Grace.
One day they met on the beach; she
went up to him and held out her
hand.
'Mr. Edmonds," she said, 81 want
you to know that I don't believe you
knew it. The old gentleman who left
them to you deceived you, I'm sure.
Please tell every ono so. I know you
could never be an advel turer, and it's
not your fault the diamonds were false,
and thought I'd like to shake hands
and say ao."
''Thank YOU" he said. holding out
his hand. $50 you don't doubt me?"
s'No," said Grace, "I do not see how
any one could"
''Yet [ knew those were bits Of paste
when I gave them," said Mr.. Emonds.
Il knew that they were not genuine
diamonds. Yes, I am as bad as that.
What now. Miss Gracep''
"l'm sure thai can't be true" she
said. "Please say it isn't. + have
thought so we'll Of you. I--n
"Gracie," said young Edmonds,
think well Of me still. The story of
the old mans generosity is quite true.
l have and can prove that have dIa.
monds worth at least million of
money, but I gave bits Of paste to three
young ladies, because 1 knew, that
60 'A'o AAhSA ialO III lily ulhIuOnuS
would be shrewd enough to have them
tested, and that a girl who liked me for
myself would doubt neither the gems
nor the truth. Thank you, Grace. All
this world shall know that am not An
adventurer before tomorrow dawns.
1t shall now be known that you have
not misplaced your confidence. Have
you your ring, little ladyP"
She took 1t from her pocket-book. Tn
moment more he had exchanged IL for
another.
''Only you must wear thls.', he
said. "o
And Grace. looking into his ewes.
Knew what he meant, and wore It,
IL was the wedding OF the season.
that of Grace Ripley and Robert I'll,
monds; and if tho two bridesmaids
never forgave the Bridegroom they
were at least ashamed to own it.,
A---------
Marriage Among tho Afxhnns.