The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-07-16
seseamea 81 amads p ,i her a.!

- AKANA uAtaAkc~Np 0ST iGnl0Y
that I may have you, and she Is going
to come down and see you-she came
nome with us, You know"
: 'Oh! She came home with you," re.
peated, like a parrot.
''Now don't look like that" said
Marcella. ..Auhtie is very worldly, I
know, but her goSd opinion is of value
to us. She Influences mamma greatly,
and you must SMILE"
l repeated: "Oh! I must SMILE"
Don't" gasped Maycella. Don't
look like that!' ''''' -
But how could look otherwise than
slike that" with the awful truth that
mad flashed upon my mind, burning it?
I-understood what that diamond blaz-
ing on Marcella's finger meant.
Doughty had given me the wrong box.
! had Mrs. - diamond; she had my
poor little ,ten-dollar amethyst: Just
how many thousands had stolen do
not know. 4 was not experienced in
gems But was certainly in for grand
larceny !" at the lowest computation.
Doughty was q good fellow enough
but he would not be likely to remem-
Der that he gave me the box. I should
be suspected Of having exchanged the
two purpose]y. My only hope was to
make full confession instantly. Mar
cell. was asdeah sweet, reasonable
girl: A NRdsvouN be enough.
''Marceila." began, 81 think I must
appear somewhat confused-l have
some hing on my mind. I must tell
you very notifying"
'Oh, Ao.o do you do, Mr.. Parkin?''
said one of those peculiar voices that
have won for American women the
reputation of want of mellowness
and softness Of speech, which is by no
means universally deserved. ''How do
YOU do? It 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 be
quite an admirer of nature; your taste
is so good in other things. Gems, for
instance. The, color of that diamond
is marvellous. You have artists eyes
melancholy eyes,
I have no doubt they were melan-
choly enough at that moment.
II know a gentleman, quite an artist
amateur, t.cou!d be professional. He
cannot wear many ornaments, but he
carries little bag of unset jewels in
his pocket, and when he wants to re-
fresh himself, he pours them into his
palm and: looks Iats them-gloats on
them. Really, / could not trust him
alone in the room with Marcella's ring,
it 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 con-
fession before her. l resolved to write
to Marcella After all, it would be
better. And l wrote dozen letters
that night and tore them up. The un-
lucky thirteenth, penitential to the last
degree, l posted. + remember that my
excitement was so great that l wen,
out to; do so without my hat, and was
followed home as a suspicious character
by the policeman on our street, in con.
sequence. f..
bounced about in bed for hours tina,
night and slept late next morning in
consequence. Out of breath and pallid
l arrived at our esta blishment after
hours next day.
There's been q 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 name
was Doughty, and he came about ring
He said you'd understand"
The blow had fallen. However, could
do nothing until Marcclla returned the
ring, or babe me come and get it.
would not implicate her by mentioning
her name.
''Briggs," said I, II don't want to
see that man yet, not for day or two. .
'Owe him something and don't want
to settle till salary time?" said Brigg.
l let it pass by nod.
"Ah!' said Briggs. "Well, as you
are on the second floor, 1 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 Of dollars to you?"
put two silver dollars into his hand
and in an instant they clinked together
in his pocket. -
Doughty called that evening. and
next morning, and the day after, and
all the while no answer came from
Marcella. What did it mean? l knew
when my letter was returned from the
dead letter office, with Not found
written all over it as if it were an en-
ample in q copy book. l had addressed
it to ''Marcella Darling, New York. >
Marcella's father being named Gill
worthy, it is not astonishing that it did
not reach its destination, especially
without a numbe
My full explanation had, perhaps
interested, some clerk in the post office
department., + but had not reached
Marcella. so Moreover, in the same mail
was letter from my betrothed her
self.
II am nearly wild,' it began. my deal
Charles, what has happened? have been ter
rihed by your absence.
- Il sent Brother Bob to Lighter & Jowls witt
note from me, and some ono told him yor
were ill at home, and they did not know where
you boarded. l do not, either, but perhaps the
postman does, so Iput New York city upon it
Send to me at once. I am not superstitious
but your diamond seems to be a little DIM apd
I SILVER when I remember the stories told Of
gems.
"Why haven't you written! Did auntie
offend you? The worst OF it is my trunks are
packed for Europe. Aunty decided to take me
the evening you were hero. Oh, how long age
it seems! We shall be away three months a,
least. I can't change my mind now. A
thought startles me-perhaps your heart is
changed; perhaps you love me no longer. Il
So you have but to tell me where to send you,
presents-above ALL your valuable ring Your
manner was not your own when I saw you
last. MARGELIA."
What had done? Fear of losing my
treasure overcame all other thoughts.
I caught my hat and rushed to her
dwelling--place
''oh, MY, Mi. Parlzin! Is it you? The
family thought you must be dead!'
said the girl who opened the door for
me; and Miss Marcella has gone with
lo