Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-01-09
A BAG OF DIAMONDS.

ltt litAil Nithtb itlc NbAti ast ~ AiiS
sticking point. After all, what good
to the old man was that bag of gems?
What good except to count over, mark
their twinkling facets. gIoat over their
value, and laugh at those who might
coyet them. Palsied fingers would
shake as the strings of the chamois
skin treasury were rapturously united,
and a moments life and energy flash
into pinchcd cheek and failed eye, as
every evening he revelation of untold
wealth woke in a withered heart its
only surviving passion. But what
good to the world or to the man was
that brief minute Of ecstasy? Was it
not paid for iundrcdf ID by nights
of fear and forcbodiug- Of robbery
that made life perpetual horror?
How often had Paul heard his uncle
wake from lis n)ontide nap with a
dreaming CRY: "My diamonds, my
diamonds, is that you Paul? | though.
it was a rolber.
His thoughts were to come true to
night. Paul tried to persuade him
setts-tiiA, tiiA,.ast the tsssasures he had set his
heart on belonged to nm as much
as if they had been lying in a
mine, the prize Of the first finder.
Then came another thought His
own poverty and his great love. Ills
uncle's ward was as poor as himself;
poor, proud and beautiful. Such
flowers only grow in hard and sol-
tary places; in the nipping air, and
uncrowded even by the obtrusivcness
Of love. Straight, slender, full-hued
as rose, with big soul beamiug in
her face and eyes, with meek, silent
ways, and bearing unfinchingly the
blows of an old mau's brutal tongue,
this girl had presented to the poets
mind the image Of power, Of profound
passion. Of uutiring constancy such as
had enchanted him and transformed
hfs life.
She had been first shy to him then
wistfully tender, as if she pitied him.
Il was in the arbor at tie foot of the
garden, where he was seated now, be-
hind the hedge of clipped yew, that
she had nestled close in his arms, and
they had known the first Imoment of
happiness in their deserted lives.
"We must be patient, Paul"
Patient, did she say2 They had been
20 long enough His plans were ripe
now, and lie was watching the light in
his uncle's window. The old man
would sleep well, he had taken care
Of that, tonight, If he awoke? Well,
that too, was provided for. Old men
are not hard to smother The night,
lark and damp, suited dark thoughts.
And the sting of long oppression, the
blind feeling after revenge for years
Of cruel Sights and insults, had long
engendered such thoughts. And now
came a vision of an earthly heaven,
the hope of a new life beyond the seas
s'Yes, will fly with you any time
you ask, the girl had said resolutely.
I'VE shall be happy, rich or poor"
No! not poor. lie would provide
against that.
The lights in the windows of the
mansion are gone out. Even the Win
iows Oh The ground floor, which open
on to the piazza, are dark. That is
his uncc's room. Paul rises from his
seat. The dripping jasmine spray that
strikes his check as he leaves the little
summcr-housc makes his heart stop fo:
moment. lie fears even the faint
crunch of his footsteps on the gravel,
There is a dog baying in the distance,
Is if conscious that thieves are about
lie steals past The big pear tree al
ihe corner Of the piazza, and tramp
ling in the soft mould of the flower
garden, where her jonquiis and tulips
GROW, he creeps breathles,ly to tht
back porch. The outer door is quickl.
opened. lie ihrusts out his hand tC
find the knob of the house door anC
laking a latch-key from his yes
pocket, he opens il too. At the enC
Of the hall is his uncles room. Th'
house is silent. But bark! did III
boar football? l, must be heav!
.ootfall that is heard OH the thick car
pet and steady floor of oak. He ha'
never before explored this old ram
ing dwelling in darkness. 1t wa