The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-07-18

| given her above it n ring in which
shone the most magnificent diamond l
had ever seen, as large as her finger
nail and a perfect well of blazing light
"Your diamond, Charles" said she.
"My diamondw / repeated, in be-
wildercd way
81 suppose it is an heirloom or some
thing of that sort" said Marcella; 81
never was so overwhelmed. But do
you know you have won Aunt Matilda
by 1t? 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," ] re-
pcated, like parrot.
Now don't look like that" said
Marcella. "Auntie is very worldly, |
know, but her good opinion is of value
to us. She influences mamma greatly,
and you must smile"
/ repeated: ''Oh! must smile"
"Don'tp' gaspcd Marcclla. Don't
look like that"
But how could look otherwise than
iIhC JldI, Will UnC dNlu JTuIh UlldJ
had flashed upon my mind, burning it?
| understood what that diamond blaz-
ing on Marce!la's . finger meant.
| Doughty had given me the wrong box.
| had Mrs, IS diamond: she had my
poor little ten~dollar amethyst. Just
how many thousands had stolen 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 purposely. My only hope was to
make full confession instantly. Mar
celia was a dear, sweet, reasonable
girl A word would be enough.
''Marcella," / began, 81 think must
appear somewhat confused i have
something on my mind. l must tell
you very mortifying-"
''Oh, hO1o do you do, Mr.. Parkin?"
said one of those peculiar voices that
have won for American women the
reputation of want of mellowness
and softncss of speech, which is by no
means universally deserved. How do
| 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 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
l have no doubt they were melan-
choly enough at that moment
II know IA gentleman, quite an artist
amateur, but could be professional. He
cannot wear many ornaments, but he
carries a little bag of unset jewels in
his pocket, and when he wants to re-
fresh himself, he pours them into his
palm and looks at thcm-gloats on
them. Really, l could not trust him
alone in the room with Marcella's ring,
it might make him dishonest"
SO spoke Marcclla's aunt. Nor did
she leave us until | was obliged to take
m.y departure. | could not make CON
fession before Ter. | resolved to write
to Marcella. After all, it would be
better. And wrote a dozen letters
that night and tore them up. The un-
lucky thirteenth, penitential to the last
degree ! posted. ] remember that my
excitement was SO great that | went
out to do so without my hat. and was
followed home as a suspicious character
by the policeman on our street, in con
sequence.
bounced about in bed for hours that
night and slept late next morning in
consequence. Out of breath and pallid
| arrived at our establishment after
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 "dcductons:''
IA gent in gray clothes. Said his name
was Doughty, and he came about ring
lie said you'd understand"
Understand. I did, alas! but too well.
The blow had fallen. However. | could
do nothing until Marcella returned the
ring, or bade me come and get it. |
would not implcatc her by mentioning
her name.
Briggs, said ], II don't want to
see that man yet, not for a day or two"
''Owe him something and don't want
to settle till salary time" said Brigg
/ let it pass by a nod.
"Ah''' said Briggs, well, as you
are on the second floor, | can tell him
you are homo i'll and that don't know
where you live But it's a lot of
trouble to take for nothing. Is it worth
couple of dollars to you?"
pvt two silver dollars into his hand
and ~ an instant they clinlIed together
in his pocllet.
Doughty called that evening, and
next mc,-ning, and the day after. and
all the uhile no answer came from
Marcella. What did it mean? | knew
when my tr;ter was returned from the
dead letter Office, with Not found"
written all orer it as if it were an eX-
ample in coy book, ! 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 mum ber
My full explanation had, perhaps,
interested some clerk N the post Office
department, but hal not reached
Marcella. Moreover. in the same mail
was letter from my ncUothed her
| self.
81 am nearly wild" it began My dear
Charles, what has happened: have been ter
| ritied by your absence.
Il sent Brother Bob to Lighter & Jowls with
note from me- and some one tCld him YOU
wcrcill at home, and they did not isnow where
! you boarded. do not, either but perhaps the
postman does 30 put New York city upon IT,