The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-08-19

"Oh l'she came home with you," re-
peated like parrot.
"Now, don't look like that" said Mar
celia. Auntie is very worldly, know,
but her good opinion is of value to US.
She influences mamma greatly, and you
must smile.
l repeated: "0h! must smile"
~Don't," gasped MarceIla- "Don't look
like that"
But how could l look otherwise than
'like that" with the awful truth that
had flashed upon my mind burning it :?
| understood what that diamond blazing
on Marcella's finger meant. Doughty
had given me the wrong box. had
Mrs. IS diamond; she had my poor
little ten-dollar amethyst. Just how
many thousands had stolen did not
know. l was not experienced in gems.
But was certainly in for grand larceny,
at the lowest computation. Doughty
was a good fellow enough. but be would
not be likely TO remember that he gave
me the box. / should be suspected of
having exchanged the two purposely.
My only hope was to make a full confess
sion instantly. Marcella was dear,
sweet, reasonable girl. A word would be
enough.
"Marcella," l began, Il think | must
aYyaor ur,,, 10 aorf,,cal bo,-o .o,,a
thing on my mind. must tell you a
very mortifying-"
"Oh, how do you do, Mr.. Parkin ?"
said one of those peculiar voices that
have won for American women the rep
utation Of a want of mellowness and
softness of speech, which is by no means
universally deserved. "How do you do?
1t is nice to see you again. Why didn't
you run up to see us? We are lovely in
autumn-crimson naples and all that.
You must be quite an admirer of nature,
your tests is so good in other things.
Gems, for instance. The color of that
diamond is marvellous. You have artists
eyes-melancholy eyes"
1 have no doubt they were melancholy
enough at that moment.
81 know a gentleman, quite an artist
amateur, but could be professional. He
cannot wear many ornaments, but he
carries little bag of unset jewels in his
pocket, and when he wants to refresh
himself he pours them into his palm
and looks at them-gloats over them
Really, could not trust him alone in the
room with Marceila's ring, 1t might make
him dishonest
So spoke Marcella's aunt. Nor did she
leave US until I was obliged to take my
departure. ] could not make confession
before her. l resolved to write to Mar
celia. After all, it would be better. And
l wrote a dozen letters that night and
tore them up. The unlucky thirteenth,
penitential to the last degree, / posted. l
remember that my excitement was so
great that went out to do % without my
hat, and was followed home as a suspic-
ious character by the policeman on our
our street.
bounced about in bed for hours that
night, and slept the next morning in
consequence. Out of breath and pallid,
! arrived at our establishment after hours
next day.
There's been person here inquiring
for you," said Briggs, the individual who
noted our sins Of tardiness and the con-
deductions" "A gent in gray
clothes. Said his name was Doughty,
and he came about hing He said you'd
understand"
Understand / did, alas but too well.
The blow had fallen. However, l could
do nothing until Mareella returned the
ring or bade me come and get it. would
not implicate her by mentioning her
name.
Briggs" said I, q don't want to see
that man yet, nor for a day or two"
"Owe him something, and don't wact
to settle till salary timer" said Briggs.
let it pass with nod.
"Ah!" said Briggs. "Well, as you are
on the second floor, can tell him you
are home i'll and that don't know where
you live. But it's lot of trouble to take
for nothing. Is it worth a couple dollars
to your"
put two silver dollars into his hand,
and in an instant they clinked together
in his pocket.
Doughty called that evening, and the
next morning, and the day after, and all
while no answer came from Marcella.
What did it mean?
l knew when my letter was returned
from the dead-letter office, ''Not found
written all over, as if it were an example !
in copy-book. / had addressed il to
"Marcella Darling. New York." Mar
cella's father being named Gillworthy, |
it is not astonishing that it lid not reach |
its destination, especially without a
My full explanation had, perhaps, in
some clerk in the postoffice de-
but had not reached Msrcella.
Moreover, in the same mail was letter
from my betrothed herself.
Il am nearly wild,r it began. any /
dear Charles, what has happened? l
have been terrified by your absence. /
sent Brother Bob 70 Lighter & Jowls with
a note from me, and some one told him
you were i'll at home and they didn't
know where you boarded. do not
either, but perhaps the postmsn does, so
I put New York City upon IL Send to
me at once. am not supersttious, but
your diamond seems to be a little dim,
and shiver when rememberthe stories
told of gems.
"Why haven't you written? Did
auntie offend you? The wort of it is
my trunks are packed for Eurooe. Aunty
decided to take me the evening you were
here. OH how long it seems We
shall be gone three months, al least l
can't change my mind now. thought
startles me-perhaps your heart is
perhaps you love me 10 longer.
If so, you have but to tell me where to
send your presents-aboye yll, your valu-
able ring. Your manner was lot your
own when saw you last.
HMAnFrTa