The Republican., 1891-07-17

were ill at home, and they did not know where
you boarded. I do not, either, but perhaps the
postman does, so l put New York city upon it.
Send to me at once. 1 am not superstitious.
but your diamond seems to be little dim and
shiver when 1 remember the stories told Of
gems
why haven't you writteni Did auntie
offend you? The worst of it is my trunks are
packed for Europe. Aunty decided to take me
the evening you were here Oh, how long ago
it seems! We shall be away three months at
least. I can't change my mind now.
thought startles me-perhaps your heart is
changed; perhaps you love me no longer. II
so, you have but to tell me where to send your
presents-above all your valuable ring. Your
manner was not your own when 1 saw you
last. MARCELLA'
What had done? Fear of losing my
treasure overcame all other thoughts.
l caught my hat and rushed to her
dwelling-place.
"Oh, my, Mr.. ParlSin! Is it you? The
family thought you must be dead!"
said the girl who opened the door for
me; land Miss Marcella has gone with
her aunt to Europe, and master and
missis have gone to Chicago, and Mas
ter Bob is at boarding-school, and there
amt nobody at home but cook and me
except Hammer, and she's got holiday.
We're lonesome and real scary."
So was |. | staggered down the steps
with my hand to my forehead. and
through the open window heard the
waitress inform cook that it was plain
my heart was broken by Miss Marcel
las cruelty. What should l do now?
| Whittier fly? / went as far as the
corner and ran into the arms of man
who was stalking along with bowed
head and general air of desperation.
| Involuntarily we .clutched each other.
Thank God it is Parkin!' said he.
"Doughty!' said l, but added no
thanksgiving.
I've been looking for you for days
about that ring" said he.
"All right" said |. ''But you remem-
Der you gave it to me?"
81 did," said Doughty. "But I want
you to save me from dismissal by say
ing you picked it up yourself"
81 did not" said l.
81 have a chance for promotion and
capital salary; lose it if you won't
say that" said Doughty. "Think OF
my wife; it can't matter to you; old
Glitter has your ring safe; you'll
get it,
Hang the ring" said I. "Think OF
my feelings! l wonder I'm not dead!
You see, | gave it to rand she is in
Europe, and"
Make laugh of it, said Doughty.
'Give her the other My God Don't
ruin me.'
"Doughtv.' said I, 81 don't want to
hurt you, though [ suffer through your
mistake. But - well, I'll go to the
heads of the firm at once and do my
best for both of us, but | won't risk
being ruined for any man.
why, good Lord. You are in nc
danger said Doughty. Come, they
are still in the office Gomez
He dragged me by the elbow; he
raped at the glass door. Within
could see the counters all covered in
ghastly fashion by great cloths, mar
bic statue of an angel looking down
upon the veiled splendor, and light
burnt in the partners private room
Mr.. Glitter opened the door himself.
at is |, sir" said Doughty, family.
I've found Mr.. Parkin. He will,
know. do me justice, sir"
| Mr. Glitter looked at him coldlv
"In that case ali will be WELL" he
said. Mr. Parl<in, walk in. We have
your amethyst ring safe, and lovely
stone it is An old-fashioned stone. il
| may say SO, not in the market to-day.
We apologize to you; we understand
you intended to send it away as a pres.
ent; we regret your modification.
You are very kind" said I. Il re
gret to say that it will be some time be-
fore l can return the ring l carried
away. 1t is now in England"
Let it stay there" said Mr. Glitter.
"And now, to explain how we came tC
have it in one of our boXes-you'll be
discreet. Mrs.-well. We'll mention
no names, lady renowned for her jew
els, has husband who is parsimonious
At times she needs ready money, ther
she brings one of her rings to us. We
lend her money on it, and give her ;
ring of no value whatever to keep il
the box, in case her husband inquiries
wants to see it, etc In time she pay!
us, we restore the diamond. The sub
stitute was exchanged for your anne
thyst, and if it was Mr.. Doughty.
doing"
Il carried it off, myself" said
"And what, pray, was the price of thu
substitute? The-the-"
"Plate and PASTE" said Mr.. Glitter
"Half dollar to the trade. Theatrica
people buy them to play queens il
sometimes. We have full sets. Mrs. s.
came back with the amethyst few
days ago, and we gave her anothel
sham; but if she had been a person o
another class, your ring would hav,
been lost. We can't have careless clerk
here"
All my dplOm6 had returned to me.
"Mr. Doughty was not careless,"
said. "The mistake was entirely mine.
l saw Doughty brush away tear
and, as took my leave, | heard him
say to Glitter:
'Thank you, SIR
But the diamond, the great, glowing
gorgeous diamond, is still in the family
Oh! it is family now. My wife know
the truth, but her aunt never will; ant
when Marcella wears it on state occa
sions, the old lady is wont to draw at
tention to it's splendor; and no one ha