The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1891-02-20
A BAG OF DIAMONDS.

was tnht Dug OF gemBf Wn6t gOOo
except TO count over. mark their
twinkling facets, gloat over their
value, and laugh ut those who might
covet them. Palsied fingers would
shake as the strings OF the channels
skin treasury were rapturously united,
and moments life and energy flash
into pinched cheek and faded eye, as
every evening the 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 ecstacyP Was 1t
not paid for a hundredfold by nights
Of fear and forcbodings OF robbery that
made life perpetual horrorp How
often had Paul heard his uncle wake
from his noontide nap with dream
Ing cry: "My diamonds, my diamonds!
Is that you, Paulp ] thought 1t was
a robber"
His thoughts were TO como true to-
night Paul tried TO persuade HIM
self that the treasures he had set his
heart on belonged to him as much as
II they had been lying in mine, tho
prize Of the first finder.
Then came another thought. His
own poverty aud his great love. His
unclo's ward was as poor as himself
poor. proud, and beautiful. Such
flowers only grow In hard and solitary
places. In the nipping air, and un-
crowded even by the obtrusivencss OF
love. Straight, slender. full-hued as
rose, with a big soul beaming in her
face and eyes, with meek. silent why's,
and bearing unllinchingly tho blows
Of an old mans brutal tongue. this
girl had presented to the poets mind
the Image Of power, Of profound pas
sion. Of untiring constancy. such as
had enchanted him and transformed
his life. She had been first shy TO
him, then wistfully tender as she
pitied him. 1t was In the arbor at the
foot OF the garden where he was seated
now. behind the hedge OF clipped yew,
that she had nestled close In his arms,
and they had known the first moment
Of happiness In their deserted lives
"We must DO patient Paul"
Patient, did she sayP They had
been so long enough. His plans were
ripe now. and lie was watching the
light in his unclc's window. Tho old
man would sleep well-he Ind taken
care OF that tonight. II he awokep
Well, that too was provided for. Old
men are not hard to smother. Tho
night, dark and damp. suited dark
thoughts. And tho sting OF long OPP
preston. tho blind feeling after re-
vengo for vearo OF cruel sights and in
suits. had long cngendered such
thoughts And now came vision OF
an earthly heaven. the hopo OF new
life beyond the seas.
Yes, will fly with you at any time
you ask" the girl had said resolutsly.
I'VE shall DO happy, rich or poor"
No. not poor. flo would provide
against that
." VIZ "inuo"s vi inc
mansion naa gone OUT, Even inc win
vows U" INC GROUND moor which open
on the piazza, are dark. That is his
"hc'es ROOM Taui rises from hn
sea. inc tripping jasmine spray
.'a. S'''Hes MS chcek US DO ieaVes tho
'i''lo sumther-nouse makes MS heart
sop LOT u moment. no Tears even the
'a'h' crunch Oh MS iootsteps on the
gravel ihere Is u ao9 paying In tho
u'slance, ns !" CONSCIOUS that thieves
are aoou'
ZIG s'eais past tue DIG pear tree ut
inc corncr OF inc piazza ana tramp
ing ID inc soit ihoid OF inc mower gar
uen' ~he'e nor johquiis ana tulips
grow no ereeps ofea'hiessiy 70 tho
oscN por.h' mo outer aoor Is quick
y openoa' no thruS's OUT ms mana 10
ma mo KNOB Of inc mouse door, aud.
3'N,"s u '"'ch-key IRON MS vest
pocket, no opens " 700. AZ the end
u mo haii rs MS uncle room Inc
mouse Is silent but marx did No near
'oo'ia'i' IL must DO henVy ioo'fail
mat Is hoa'u on 'he 'h,eN carpet ana
s'oaay moor o' oak no ma never
oe'ore expioroi this ola rambling
a"e,n"H IN oArkncsS IL WINS always
70 nun a sad ana oreary piaee' a place
o. "aea hangings' o'u'iashioned ana
'nsn'css oric-a-o rae. paintings innpid
IN .heit 'aeh'shea frames, ana BOOKS
u'a' ee"ocu inc nancy ana OPINION oil
u aeaa observation-disclosures us yes
eraAy news
"o mas reachea ms uneios door
ihero no produces aaark lantern from
unuer ms o'oas' Drawing up tho
SIDE Tor u moment no hashes the cone
OF iRh' over .ho ha'' ana up inc stair
cnte. IL ughts up Tor moment