Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-18

OF course do not mean to gife you
the e'whole of Marcellals love letter. II
was so kind OF the dear ffffy who, had
many handsome ornaments, 10 make
such fuss about this little amethyst
ring But it was Just like her, ! car
ried the letter next my gheart until ]
heard that she had returned home and,
went to her. ~ ~" ~
When she entered the room, smiling
and holding out her hands to me, ! for
got everything but her Beauty, at first;
but when we were seated together
upon the sofa she held saupsiters finger
Upon it she wore, firstly, the little
pearl engagement ring which l had
given her, above it ring in which
shone the most magnificent diamond i
had ever seen, as large as her finger
nail and perfect well of blazing light,
"Your diamond, Charles" said she.
"My diamondr' repeated, in be-
wildered way. 10 ,.s.e'g u,stssts
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 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-7she came
home with us, you know"
"Oh! she came home with you," re-
peated, like parrot. rt
Nov don't look like that" said
Marcella. "Auntie is very worldly,
l,,t l,o g, sc
to u.s. She influences mamma greatly,
and you must smile" s -
repeated: "Oh! must SMILE
"Dont!" gasped Marcella. 'Don't
| look like that!' --l Et
But how could look otherwise than
| like that" with the awful truth that
had flashed upon my mind, burning it?
L 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 ten-dollar amethyst. Just
how many thousands 1 had stolen do
not know. L 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. j should
be suspected of having exchanged the
two purposely. My only hope was to
make full confession instantly. Mar
celia was dear, sweet, reasonable
girl. A word would be enough.
"Marceila," began, "Iathink 1 must
appear somewhat confused Il have
some thing on my mind. l must tell
you very notifying" a
"Oh, hoao do you do, Mr.. Parkin?'
said one of those peculiar voices that
have won for American women the
reputation of a want of mellowness
and softness of speech, which is by NO
means universally deserved i"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 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" 3W Et1l
l have no doubt they We're melan'
choly enough at that moment.
81 know gentleman, quite an artist
amateur, but could be professionally n He
cannot wear many ornaments, but he
carries 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 thcm-gloats or
them. Really, 1 could not trust hin
alone in the room with AIarceuais ring
| :. l.;
So spoke Marcella's amt. Nor die
she leave us until l was Obliged to take
my departure. 1 could not make con
fession before her. resolved to write
to MarceIla. After all, it would bt
better. And / wrote dozen letters
that night and tore them up. The un
lucky thirteenth, penitential to the las
degree, l posted. l remember that my
excitement was SO great that ] wen
out to do SO without my hat, and wa
followed home as suspicious characte
by the policeman on our street, in con
sequence.
l bounced about in bed for hours tina
night and slept late next morning il
consequence. Out of breath and palhc
L arrived at our establishment afte
hours next day. rr'11 .h'8T"ie y
"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, go. -
Understand! did, alas! but too well
The blow had fallen. However, coul
do nothing until Marcella returned tn
ring, or bade me come and get it.
would not implicate her by mentioning
her name. rtHI.
Briggs" said 1, II don't want /
see that man yet, not for day or two.
"owe him something and don't wan
to settle till salary time?'' said Bfigg.
let it pass by nod.
"Ah!' said Briggs. We'll, as yo
are on the second floor, I can tell hir
you are home i'll and that don't llno,
where you live. But a lot G
trouble to take for nothing Is it wort
a couple of dollars to you?"