The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-12
A BAG OF DIAMONDS.


was that bag of gems? What good
except to count over. mark their
twinkling facets, gloat over thei,
value, aud laugh at those who might
'covet them. Palsied fingers would
shake as the strings OF the channels.
skin treasury were rapturously united
and y moments life and energy flash
Into pinohed cheek and faded eye, as
every evening the revelation of untold
wealth woke in withered heart its
only surviving passion. But what
good to the world or to the man was
that brief minute of ecstacy? Was II
not paid for hundredfold by nights
OF fear and forebodings of robbery that
made life perpetual horror? How
often had Paul heard his uncle wake
from his noontide nap with dream
ing cry: '.My diamonds, my diamonds!
Is that YOU Paul? I thought it was
q robber.';
His thoughts were to come true to-
night. Paul tried to persuade him.
self that the treasures he had set his
heart on belonged to him as much us
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. His
uncle'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 I'M
crowded even by the obtrusiveness of
love. Straight, slender, full-hued as
q rose, with big soul beaming in her
face and eyes, with meek, silent ways,
and bearing unhinchingly the 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.
1--WE must be patient Paul"
Patient, did she say? They had
been so long enough. His plans were
ripe now, and he was watching the
light in his uncles 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, dark and damp, suited dark
thoughts. And the sting OF long op-
preston, the blind feeling after re-
Venge for years of cruel Sights and in
suits, had long engendered such
thoughts. And now came vision of
an earthly heaven, the hope of new
life beyond the seas.
I Eyes, will fly with you at any time
you ask" the girl had said resolutely.
1--WE shall be happy, rich or poor"
No, not poor He would provide
against that.
The lights in the windows of the
mansion had gone out. Even the win
.dows on the ground floor, which open
on the piazza, are dark. That is his
uncle's room. Paul rises from his
seat. The dripping jasmine spray
that strikes his cheek as he leaves the
little summer-house makes his heart
stop for moment. He fears even the
faint crunch of his footsteps on the
gravel. There is dog baying in the
distance, as if conscious that thieves
are about.
tie steals past the big pear tree at
the corner Of the piazza, and tramp
ling in the soft mold of the flower gar
den' where her jonquils and tulips
grow, he creeps breathlessly to the
back porch. The outer door is quick
ly opened. He thrusts out his hand to
lind the knob of the house door, and,
taking a latch-key from his vest
pocket, he opens it too. At the end
of the hall is his uncle's room. The
house is silent. But bark! did he hear
a football? 1t must be a heavy football
that is heard on the thick CARPET and
steady floor Of oak. He had never
before explored this old rambling
dwelling in darkness. 1t was ALWAYS
to him sad and dreary place; a place
of faded hangings, old fashioned and
dasteless bric-a-brac, paintings insipid
IN their furnished frames, and books
that echoed the fancy and opinion oil
a dead generation-aavorl less as YES
.terday's news.
He has reached his uncle's door.
There he produces dark lantern from
under his cloak. Drawing up the
slide for moment he flashes the cone
of light over the hall and up the stair
case. 1t lights up for momen
oaken wainscoting, crowded hat-rack
the antlers overhead, and the statue OF
Cupid, pallid as ghost and then falls
on the staircase. As it does so he
snaps down the slide. and all is dark
ness again.
Yes, all is darkness and quiet Their.