San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-29

If I had kILOU7I that the stones tUert
tcrctchcd, tG,odry inlitGtiOns"-
Priscilla put her hands behind her.
No. indeed. Dick; they are of no use to
me. Keep them, please; they may help
to remind you of what / have said"
ITS awfully kind of YOU" said Dick,
looking really touched "Then-since
you put it in that way-thanks. will,
Priscilla-Tll have them made into a
horseshoe pin"
"You mustn't let it make you too fond
of dress, then" said Priscilla; "but I'm
afraid you're that already. Dick"
"a diamondr' he cried. $50 on,
Priscilla. I'm listening. Pitch into me.
1t will do me lot of goodw
But Priscilla thought it wiser to say
no more just then.
That night, after Priscilla and Cathie
and Belle had gone to bed, Dick and his
mother sat up talking until late hour.
is dear little Cousin Priscilla to be a
permanency in this establishments" be-
gan her cousin, sitting yawn, for there
hid been a rather copioqs flow of precious
stones during the evening.
Well, | shall keep her with US as
long as | can" said Mrs. Hoyle; "she's
such darling! And they don't seem
to want her at home, I'm sure, limited
AS my means are, I'm most happy to
nave such visitor"
She seems to pay her way-only her
way is "a trifie trying at times, isn't it?
She lectured me for half an hour on end
without a single check"
Are you sure you picked them all up,
lear boy?"
"Got few of the best in my waist
coat pocket now. I'm afraid | scrunched
a pearl or two, though-they were all
over the place, you know. | suppose
you've been collecting too, mater?'
I've picked up one or two" said his
mother. II should think l must have
nearly enough now to fill a bandbox.
And that brings me to what wanted to
consult you about, Richard. How are
we to dispose of them? She has given
them all to me-"
You haven't done anything with them
yet, them"
How could |? | have been obliged
to stay at home. I've been so afraid of
letting that precious child go out of my
sight for a single hour, for fear some I'M
scrupulous persons might get hold of her.
| thought that perhaps when you came
home you. would dispose of the pearls
for me-"
But, mater" protested Dick, Il can't
90 about asking who'll buy a whole band
box full Of jewels!"
"Oh, very well, then. suppose we
must go on living this hugger mugger
life, when we have the means of being as
rich as princes-just because you are
too lazy and selfish TO take a little
troubled"
Il know something about these things"
said Dick; Il know fellow who's a dia-
mond merchant, and it's not so easy to
sell lot Of valuable stones as you seem
to imagine, mother. And then Priscilla
OverdOes it, you know. Why, if she goes
on like this she II make diamonds as cheap
as Currants"
81 should have thought that was rea-
son for selling them as soon as possible;
but I'm only a woman, and of course
my opinion is worth nothingl Still, you
might take some of the biggest to your
| friend and accept whatever he'll give
you for them; there are plenty more
we needn't haggle over the price"
He'd want to know all about them
and what should | say? can't tell him
a cousin Of mine produces them when
ever she feels disposed"
You could say they have been in the
family for some time, and you are
obliged to part with them. don't ash
you to tell falsehood, Richard"
We'll, to tell you the honest truth,
said Dick, I'D rather have nothing to d.
with it. I'm not proud, but l shouldn'
like it to get about among our fellows a
the bank that | went about hawkin,
diamondsp'
But, you stupid, undutiful boy; DON
you see that you could leave the bank
You need never do anything more; W,
should all live rich and happy some
where in the country, if we could onl,
sell these jewels. And you won't d
that one little thingr'
We'll, said Dick, 'Tll think over il
I'll see what can do"
And his mother knew that it was PEI
fectly useless to urge him any furtheI
for in sOrne thine D. w-S--.r c'lStinat