New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-19
THE KENITE.
Eugene Field.
AN ADVENTURE WITH DIAMONDS.

q
vice indeed YOU will: and to know that the
Keuite is in your charge VIII he weight on my
mind | hope that, you will hand II over at
once 10 " Durand when You arrive IN Paris, IL
vii not spoil much of your holiday. can i'm
ooine how You will enjoy shcwinS your wife all
the sights 1t IS really your honeymoon, as
could not spare you longer at Easter.
The speaker painted for a moment; then taking
I'D check from the table, went on more rapidly
lone thing more, Ilusc. Do me the kindness
10 accept this check SO that YOU may not lcei
in any way Obliged to be stlngy. Nonsense
Don't thank me. You know that if ! could act
alone You would to-day he in different position;
but the firm moves slowly, and II thus iltiG com
mission turns out well feel sure we sha,i soon
see you figuring CO. TO the firm OF Nilsson
& Harris Well. that IS settled that you start
tonight Don't let Mrs lIuSc tire herself out
you mention 10 yourswlie that you nave Inc
'Kenite in your possession
lie who spoke was whtehaired man with a
very benevolent expression of countenance, ana
the person addressed was a pleasant-looklnS young
Englishman, with an earnest, trustworthy face;
blue eyes fair curling hair, fair mustachc ana
n resolute square chin which spoke of dctermna-
tion The elder man was Mr.. Harris diamond
merchant. and Frank llulSe had been for many
wears employed and trusted by the partners. Hau
he been possessed of capital le would already
have been taken into partnership; but though
MI Nilsson was willing 10 do full Justice 10 the
value of their confidential clerk and traveller,
vet il was quite another matter rcwardlng hhn
for his faithful service. Tie question had been
discussed. but was still very uncertain.
In the meanwhile Frank lIulsc had not waited
for uncertainties, but in spite of a small income
he had married a wife I'm his eyes Janet was
the most beautiful, the noblcst, the cevcrest ana
the best of her sex. SO he did not hesitate as ne
answered the elder man.
Indeed. Mr.. Harris could trust any secret
in Janet'S Stiekecp.ng.
Mr. Harris waved his hand slightly as he smiled
kindly He was not going TO discuss Janet ;
powers of keeping a secret
only meant. IIulse, that some ladies are
little mean sometimes theX ma II uilcuIII
10 keen secret but YOU are the best judge |
know that the 'kcnite is safe with Nou, ny dear
f. low | think VI. Durand has made Us a little
overanXious about this stone However. no one
knows It's value better than you do, and shall
dismiss all anxiety from my mind Telegraph
directly YOU nave handed over the stones INTO
NJ Durands hands. Richards shall NEE. You n
tie station tonight with the Jewels They VIII
al Re carefully packed into an ordinary black
handbag which VIII attract 10 special notice
You Will of course not let II out OF your sl2ht
This is on the whole the safest course; luggage
is sometimes tempered with You know how
10 pass the Custom House officers handsome
douceur makes them very civil IL France food
by. and mind you enjoy yourself You deserve
When Frank Hulsc reached his lodgings no
happier or prouGcT man could have been found
in London; and when Janet, his wife. came
eagerly 10 meet him. and. when the door was
shut. helped 10 pull off his great coat. 1t was no
wonder that he would not have changed places
with the Prince of Wales or the Emperor OF all
Are we really 10 goo Oh, Frank
Yes. Janet; and that excellent Nj Harris has
been kindness itself Have you all the things
packed? Remember. we are going in grand style
this is a real honeymoon.
Its always honeymoon, Frank: it always
will be but now, no more talking. Ihere ul.-
ner waiting, and the last touches 10 your port
manteau: and On, ! forgot have you mat
precious 'Kenite - and Janet laughed in her
clear silvcry voice.
Janet YOU know YOU must never even men
ton the word. Richards will bring the diamonds
to meet rs this evening. told Mr. Harms
should tell you everything. imagine MS 'hIhN-
ing YOU couldn't keep secle.
/ suppose Mrs. Harris can't SAID Janet laugh
ing Sic does not look as f She could.
After this remark. Mrs. liulsc, who looked
almost too young 10 be wife, went about hcT
business with an air Of importance suitable 70 me
occasion Of first visit 10 the cont mem III, ne
seemed almost too delightful, and Janet Hulse
felt deeply grateful 10 the valuable diamond
known in the firm the kcnlte. from ne
name Of the mine where II was louhd loI ~
ing the cause of her and her husbands TIP "
Paris.
And 50. the pair. having finished their prepare
tions started of 10 Charng Cross, ana every
thing but the present enjoyment was pn' away
from the young wlle's mind as they steamed away
toward Dover. -
Frank Hnise. however, was little anxious
about the Kenite. The stone alone was worth
go 600: while the whole value Of the stones
committed 10 his charge was $4,000: terrlplc
responsibility Not that for moment ne d'ub'cd
his own clcvcTncss, or had SHADOW OF I'"I 'l"'
1vg bifrN blg WONll ttuHt ulHi ~ II .'i'N
iety still he could not fee quite free to ENJOY MN
sell iii The valuablcS were safely lodscd WIN ''
Frenchman. As the train sped onward fIamN
Iluse felt that each minute was prlh-lhS nIn
nearer 10 Paris and, therefore, nearer 10 pcIIece
rest and happi"css.
II was a chilly October evening, and the happy
pair managed 10 get into cafriase WIN onlS IiU
other passenger, a stout lady. VINO step, souhdIy
all the way 10 Dover and who was, therefore,
quite unmovcd by the slight changes OF me Dlack
bag. At first Frank placed II on his knee, Dlu
aTp M tod ar
telling the public that he was carrying something
precious; 50 lac deposited II just opposite TO NM
where both lie and Janet could fix their eyes on H.
As the Old lady slept on till Dover was reached,
their ceaseless watching was certainly wasted.
Janet, You will look after the rugs and ! VIII
carry my bag" he whispered. The crossing is
50 short that | think Shall stay on deck it viii
be sa ter" NE remarked.
IT is quite fine, Frank. so do let me stay with
you said Janet.
Frank demonstrated. saying it would be TOO
cold: but Janet scOrued the idea Of cold as she
wrapped her fur lined cloak round her. They
chose a comfortable and sheltered corner and
puttinp the bag between them, talked happily Of
what they were going 10 90.
Ianct was a sood sailor, and did not refrain from
plying others less fortunate than herself; She
felt proud too. as several male passengers passed
Tho nair Ia see that they glanced AT her with sur
prise One man especially interested her for
he courtco,sly picked up her fallen umbrella, he
remarked
Il hone you are not feeling cold; there is rug
living here which no one is using"
Frank IIulse answered for Janet ana, starting
nm be tbanked the stranger and fetched the rug
himself. Tie black bag remained for moment
protected only by Janet, and when Frank returned
to lis place, he remembered thle iacU WIN d
slight pnching OF conscience, alJhou%h, " couS"'
the precious bag had been in no danger; Ihe
stranger, having seen the brave young lazy pro,
vided with an extra wrap, raised ms nat ana
walked away Janet noticed that, as ne passed
under a T0ht the stranger had fair hair; She
could not distinguish his features, but she was
struck By the fact that there was deep scar OH
his close shaver chin. -, ~. l
What civil man. Frank, said Janet, as she
wrapped herself up; and nce-lookin2, 100.
What ong-sighted mortal you must DC!
Janet, / left this bag in your keeping for TWO