Morning journal and courier., 1889-04-25
NN, THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 25, 1889.

know something about diamonds and don't
 know when I've seen such perfect one."
 "Ah, that stone has deceived even jewell
 lers by artificial light. I only wish it were
 a real diamond, for it would be worth about
 six hundred pounds"
 ssIt is worth every penny of it," said the
 other. enthusiastically. "How did you come
 by it, if it's not an impertinent question to
 asks"
 "It was left me by my aunt" l" said the
 owner "She knew it was only paste, al
 though she always wore it, and I was very
 fond of the old lady, so wear it, too."
 "Will you let me see 1t in the mornings!
 said our friend, handing the ring back with
 lingering interest.
 TCertainly. We will have return match
 gentleman, before tifin if you are agreeable,
 as I must be off to the steamer now to bring
 some more of my kit ashore"
 We all said goodnight, and parted, each
 one of us thinking good deal about the
 beautiful ring. After breakfast the next
 day S. and drove over from the club to the hotel, where we had promised to 'stifhn" with young "Golconda'' as we called him. He was there with beVy of native 'ftam- bles' around him, displaying very inferior gems, which he refused to look at. The Australian passenger soon strolled up, and asked my companion if he was disposed for return match at billiards. These two had seen each other before breakfast, and ssyoung Golconda'' had backed his opinion of the diamond ring to the extent of offering four thousand rupees for it. During the game he renewed his offer, but the other said he did not wish to sell the ring at all, and especially as real diamond, knowing we'll that the stone was paste.
 "Wil you lend me the ring, then, and al. low me to show it to a native jeweller with whom have been dealinga If he recognizes the stone as diamond, too, will repeat my offer, and also will give you an open check on the bank for the amount before closing time this evening"" Hook here,
 gentlemen, said the Australian, 'of course
 I'll sell the stone for that, if any one can be
 80 rash ss to buy 1t at that price; but, you
 see, mine will be an awkward position.
 know the stone to be paste, so cannot and
 will not sell it 8 diamond. If you, sir, :" turning to the would-be purchaser, twill give me in writing 8 statement to the effect that you buy the ring as paste, all well and good but warn you honestly you will find that you are deceived in imagining this to be diamond"
 Young Golconda took the ring to his na- tive connolsseur, who in moment pro- nounced it to be diamond; he also went to European store, and showed it to the pro- prietor. This man, after testing it, said that not only was it diamond, but that he would himself give 4,50O rupees for it. The bargain was struck, the requisite statement signed, and the check given, all in the presence of the native jeweller, S--, the Australian and myself and young Gol- conda sat all through tiffn with the ring up on his finger. He asked us the next day to come round with him shopping, and among others we visited the store proprietor whe had tested the ring. Again the man looked at it, took it to the light. shaded it from ths light with one hand. again he called for g file, touched it lightly and said at once: 'Sir, you've been done; this isn't tho stone you brought me yesterday-this ii paste." And paste it was! Somehow the ring had been changed, although we none of us re. membered seeing it touched by the hands ot | the clever swindler who had sold it; And yet he had done it. The ring had lain on Che billiard table during the signing of the paper. The purchaser had paid four thou. sand rupees for ring "knowing the stone te l be paste."
 The Australian had taken chip, unde-
 tached from his lovely diamond, but not be fore young Golconda's check had been care ! fuli hed