Morning journal and courier., 1889-04-25
THE PURoaAsE OF A DIAMOND
GIobe-Trotter's Experience.


 It was at Colombo that we met him. He was the beau ideal of rich young globe trotter. We used to see him in the deep verandas Of the Galle-face and Oriental ho- tels, surrounded by the best gem-dealers, bargaining and buying at, for them, an ex- hilaratipg rate. He had bought rubies, he had bought sapphires, the best pearls and the finest catseyes to be obtained for love or money, and still his money seemed abund ant. He was gentlemanly fellow, for all that, and did not parade his wealth inte D. tionally. Stones had "a fascination for him. Probably some member of the sex that chiefly wear them had also, that we know not How they would look out for his res turn. How their eyes, and their fingers, too, would "look brighter when he came" He had often said that he mea nt to look out for really fine diamond, but naturally found that these gems are not indigenous, or even existent, upon the spicy isle. Agra or Delei were the places. Of course there was no place like London, but he wished to possess stone uncontaminated by pawn brokers fingers, uncivilized and unchristian- ized, without flaw, and also withou. a pedigree; gem which had perhaps wasted ! it's brightness, the virgin sparkle of it's many facets, in the darkness of some native hoard until he caused it to be admired, wor- shipped, disparaged, or coveted by the fash- l ionable world of Her Majesty's or Covent ! Garden. We little thought he would ever effect his purchase before he left Colom- bo.
 There were at this time in the roads no | fewer than five mail steamers, two of the Messagerie and three of the Peninsular and | Oriental Company. Over seventy irst-class | passengers had to change steamers at Colom- \ bo, and wait two days before re-embarking \ for Australian ports, whither most of them 1 were bound. Dinner that evening was a ! pretty sight. Seldom had we seen so many ! English somplexio1s and so many Parisian dresses gathered round the small tables, or such airy flounces and pretty hair waving under the influence of the punkahs. Our gern-setting friend was dining at our table, l and asking no end of questions about ups I country life and the painting enterprise. After dinner he proposed @ game of bil- | lizards or pool. In the only room in which | play was not going on was a gentleman whom | we recognize as one of the Australian pas- sengers. There being three, he was asked to | join in one game, to which he consented. Upon the first stroke he made could not ! help noticing two things-frst that he han 1 dled his cue in quite an enviable manner,
 and that he had upon the third. finger l of his left hand the very finest diamond ring had ever set eyes on. The stone seemed as large as small nut, and the flashes of light it reflected from the gas-jets over the table
 were dazzling. The attention of our friend, it was easy to see, was riveted upon this ring, which his eyes followed round the ta- ble. The Australian passenger seemed 8 very pleasant man, and soon we all became more friendly.
 "What lovely ring that is you are wear- ing. Would you allow me to see ita" said
 our young friend, presently.
 "Oh, with pleasure; but am ashamed to
 tell you it is only paste," said it's owner,
 slipping it off his finger and allowing us all \ to look at it.
 It is needless to say who fingers soon held l it, while his eyes seemed to reflect the brilli-
 ancy of the stone.
 Nonsense, man," said he, pleasantly, "I