The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-12-13


with expressions OF the most profound
sympathy for his orphaned daughter
OF course there was no harm In these
inquiries; indeed. they were quite nat
ural. But the questIoner's manner
was so affected and his expressions OF
regret and sympathy so exaggerated
that could scarcely believe their sim
certify. and felt sure that he was think
more OF the Dresden figures than OF
poor Nelly.
The next proceeding consisted OF a
glance around the room in affected
admiration OF various ornaments with
which IL was decorated. Some mis-
shaped stuffed birds. some tawdy prints.
even some hideous compositions OF
shells and moss. came Ia by turns for
their share OF admiration. And then,
at last with look at the two figures
on the mantel-piece
"oh. by the bye, Mrs. Hawkins
[John always man aged to get his vic
Tins names correctly. what are those
china groups? Have you had them
longp'
That china. my lord. was present
from my grandmother, aud / set great
store by it."
q easily followed my brother-in-
laws calculation. Mrs. Rawlin's
grandmother The things must be
100 years old. at leastr')
Have you any fancy TO part with
them?" he continued. II don't sup
pose they are worth much. but should
like little remembrance OF Mon
mouthshire. and OF our pleasant lunch
here yesterday"
'Oh, my lord, If il wasn't for Raw
Inns should be glad to give them to
your lordship. or with glance at
mel any gentleman styling ut the
court"
q wonder what his lordship woNld
have said II ! had not been presently
"Oh. no. Mrs. Rawlns. can't think
OF taking them for nothing"
Well, my lord. | doubt IL my
grandmother. II she'd ha been alive.
would have liked the idea OF my sell
ing her presents"
Lord Johns countenancc fell.
Certainly" added Mrs. Rawlins,
she wasn't too proud to sell her own.
Why, she got 10 guineas for two
figures not half go gay as these from
a travelling peddler; one was just IA
black woman with II head on like an
elephant. and the other a woman too.
but she aud her children were feeding
Il swan"
Uord Johns face expressed: al
was right; they are old Dresden! The
woman with an elephants head The |
group which represents Africa! The |
woman and children feeding swami
Leda aud attendant Cupids And |
these are two OF the companion |
groups. Worth 10 gulneas each any
day at Christic's.
Then in that case. he went on.
III shall be glad to give you f5 for the
pair
well. my lord. / should not like TO |
take your lordship's money without |
asking the peddler and he is In the
village again-if these are real
genuine. lie got heard. 20 guineas
for what he took from grandmother.
She was housekeeper. sir [to mel as
you have heard tell. at the duke OF
Beliorts." Q had heard this circum-
stance mentioned once or twice before
and was acquainted with the reputa-
ton OF the Belfort collection OF china.)
Lord John turned quite pale
'Oh. my good woman" he cried,
"rll give you fl0 and take my
chance" and he Immediately handed
Mrs. Rawlins the money. which he
had ready for such an emergency, and
which she promptly pocketed.
"Shall dust them first. my lordg'
she asked, producing rs she did SO u
heavy. damp towel
"for heavens sake woman, no.
NOW the bargain was struck there
was no need OF further civility. I'll |
take them with mo just as they are.
George. you won't mind carrying one,
will you?"
did mind carrying one very much. |
| Cisliked the whole transaction. John |
had certainly paid n considerable sum
OF money. but even with my imperfect
acquaintance with such matters knew
that II these groups were genuine. tn ely |
were worth fully 80 guIneas the pair.
/ had my suspicious however about