The Republican., 1891-07-17

thought of anything so lovely, ETC., etc"
OF course | do not mean to give you
the whole of Marcella's love letter. 1t
was so kind of the dear girl, who had
many handsome ornaments, to make
such fuss about this little amethyst
ring. But it was just like her. l car
ried the letter next my heart until l
heard that she had returned home and
went to her.
When she entered the room. smiling
and holding out her hands to me, l for
got everything but her beauty, at first;
but when we were seated together
upon the sofa she held up her finger.
Upon it she wore, firstly, the little
pearl engagement ring which | had
given her, above it ring in which
shone the most magnificent diamond
had ever seen, as large as her finger
nail and perfect well of blazing light.
Your diamond, Charles" said she.
"My diamond!'' l repeated, in be-
wilGered way.
Il suppose it is an heirloom or some
thing of that Sort said Marcella; Il
never was so overwhelmed. But do
you know you have won Aunt Matilda
by it? Her own diamonds are very
fine, but when she saw this she fairly
screamed. She has made up her mind
that may have you, and she is going
to come down and see you-she came
home with us, you know
'Oh! she came home with you," l re-
peated, like parrot
Now don't look like that" said
Marcella. "Auntie is very worldly,
know, but her good opinion is of value
to U.S. She influences mamma greatly
and you must smile"
| repcated "Oh! must smile"
"Don't!' gasped Marcella. Don't
look like that
But how could look otherwise than
like that with the awful truth that
had flashed upon my mind, burning it:
| understood what that diamond blaz-
ing on Marcella's finger meant.
Doughty had given me the wrong box.
| had Mrs. IS diamond; she had my
poor little tcn-dollar amethyst. just
how many thousands | had stolen l do
not know. | was not experienced in
gems. But | was certainly in for grand
| larceny at the lowest computation
| Doughty was good fellow enough
| but he would not be likely to remem
ber that he gave me the box. l should
be suspected of having exchanged the
two purposcly. My only hope was tc
make full confession instantly. Mar.
celia was a dear, sweet, reasonable
girl A word would be enough.
"Marceila," | began, Il think l must
appear somewhat confuscd-l have
some hing on my mind. | must tel
you very mortifying-"
''Oh, h05o do you do, Mr.. Parkin?'
said one of those peculiar voices that
have won for American women the
reputation of want of mellownes>
and softncss of speech, which is by nc
means universally deserved. "How dc
YOU do? 1t is nice to see you again
Why didn't you run up to see us? We
are lovely in the autumn, crimson
naples and all that You must bt
quite an admirer of nature; your taste
is so good in other things. Gems. fol
instance. The color of that diamond
| is marvellous You have artists eyes
melancholy eyes"
| have no doubt they were melan
| choly enough at that moment
II know Il gentleman, quite an artis
amateur. but could be professional. He
cannot wear many ornaments, but he
carries a little bag of unset Jewels il
| his pocket, and when he wants to re
| fresh himself, he pourS them into hi
palm and looks at them-gloats or
them. Really, ! could not trust hin
alone in the room with Marcella's ring
| it might make him dishonest
So spoke Marcella's aunt. Nor die
she leave us until was obliged to take
my departure. could not make con
fession before ter. | resolved to write
to Marcella. After all, it would b,
better. And | wrote dozen letter.
that night and tore them up. The un
lucky thirteenth, penitential to the las
| degree, posted. | remember that my
| excitement was so great that l wen
out to do SO without my hat, and wa
| followed home as suspicious charactel
by the policeman on our street, in con
sequence.
bounced about in bed foE. hours tina
night and slept late next morning il
consequence. Out of breath and pallit
| | arrived at our Establishment afte
| hours next day.
"There's been person here inquir
ing for YOU" said Briggs, the individ
ual who noted down our sins of tardi
ness and the consequent deductions;
"a gent in gray clothes. Said his nam,
was Doughty, and he came about ring
He said you'd understand"
| Understand. did, alas! but too we'll
The blow had fallen. However, | coult
do nothing until Marcella returned tn,
ring, or bade me come and get it.
would not implicate her by mentioning
her name.
Briggs said l, Il don't want t,
see that man yet, not for a day or two.
"Owe him something and don't wan
to settle till salary time?" said Brigg.
let it pass by a nod.
"Ah!' said Briggs. "Well, as yo,
are on the second floor, l can tell hin
you are home i'll and that don't know
where you live. But it's a lot o
trouble to take for nothing. Is it wortl
couple of dollars to you?"
put two silver dollars into his hant
and in an instant they clinked togethe
| in his pocket