Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-26
A BAG OF DIAMONDS.

ttiChluS pun"
After all. what good to the old man
was that bag OF gems? What gc-1
Except to count over. marc their
twinkiing facets, gloat over their
value, aud laugh Mt those who might
Coyet them. Palsied fingers would
shake as tho strings OF the chamols-
skin treasury were raptnrously united,
and Il moments life and energy flash
into pinched 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 1t
not paid for hundredfold by nights
of fear. and forebodings OF robbery that
made life n perpetual horror? How
often had Paul heard his uucle wake
from his noontide nap with dream
ing cry: ''My diamonds. my diamonds!
Is that you. Paul? ! 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 Oh belonged to him as much AS
ii they had been lying in mine, the
prize of the first finder.
Then came another thought. Ills
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
a rose. with a 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 untiriug constancy. such as
had enchanted him and transformed
his life. She had been first shy to
him, then wistfully tender as she
Ipitied 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.
I'VE 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 awokep
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 yearc OF cruel Sights and in
suits, had long engendered such
thoughts. And now came vision Of
an earthly heaven. the hope Of Il new
life beyond the seas.
''Yes, will fly with you at any time
you ASK" the girl had said resolutely.
I'VE shall be happy, rich or poor"
No, not poor. He would provide
against that
The lights in the windows OF tn,
mansion had gone out. Even the win
lows on the ground floor. which opel
on the piazza. are dark. That is hi
nncle's room. Paul rises from hi
seat The dripping jasmine spra!
that strikes his cheek as he leaves thu
little summer house makes his hear
f0 Ia h.
faint crunch of his footsteps on tn
gravel. There il dog baying in thu
distance, as il conscious that thieves
are about
He steals past the big pear tree a
the corner OF the piazza, and tramp
ling in the soft mold Of the flower gar
den, where her jonquils and tulip
grow. he creeps breathlessly to tn
back porch. The outer door is quick
;ly opened. He thrustsj out his hand
find the knob Of the house door. ant
taking latch-key from his vet
pocket. he opens it too. At the en-
of the hall is his uncle's room. Th
house is silent But bark! did he hea
n football? II must be heavy foot!a
that is heard on the thick carpet an
steady floor OF oak. He had nevs
before explored this old ramblin
dwelling in darkness. 1t was alwa.
to him sad and dreary place; a pla'
OF faded hangings. old-iashioncd an
tasteless bric-a-brs>., paintings insip
in their tarnished frames, and bool
that echoed the fancy and opinion
dead Observation-Disclosures as ye
terlay's news.
He has reached his uncle's doc
There he produces Il dark lantern fro
under his cloak. Drawing up Il
slide for moment he flashes tire co
of lig hit over the hall and up the sta
case. 1t lights up for nome
oaken wainscoting, crowded hat-rat