The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-19

| very fine. but never in my widest dream
thought Of anything so lovely, ETC., etc.
| OF course do not mean to give you
the whole of Marcella's love letter. II
was so kind of the dear girl, who had
many handsome ornaments, to make
such a fuss about this little amethyst
ring. But it was just like her. car.
ried the letter next my heart until /
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 l had
given her, above it a 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" repeated, in be-
wil6ered 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 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," re-
peated, like parrot
snow 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'tT gasped Marcella. 'sDon't
look like thatr'
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 l 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-
Der that he gave me the box. / 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.
"Marceila." began, 81 think must
appear somewhat confused II have
meshing on my mind. 1 must tell |
7ou very notifying"
''Oh, hoo do you do, Mr.. Parkin?n
aid one of those peculiar voices that
lave won for American women the
equation of want of mellowness
md softness of speech, which is by no
means universally deserved. "How do
'ou do? 1t is nice to see you again.
Why didn't You run up to see us? We
re lovely in the autumn, crimson
naples and all that You must be
Iuite an admirer of nature; your taste
SO good in other things Gems. for
Instance. The color of that diamond
) marvellous. You have artists ewes
Melancholy eyes,
have no doubt they were melan-
holy enough at that moment.
Il know gentleman, quite an artist
mateur, but could be professional. He
annot wear many ornaments, but he
aries little bag of unset Jewels in
Is pocket. and when he wants to re- {
'esh himself, he pours them into his
aim and looks at them-gloats on
lem. Really, / could not trust him J
lone in the room with Marcella's ring. G
might make him dishonest
So spoke Marcella's aunt. Nor did 6
lie leave us until was obliged to take I
y departure. could not make con- a
ssion before her. resolved to write
Marcella. After all, it would be :
,tter. And wrote dozen letters
at night and tore them up. The un- d
cky thirteenth, penitential to the last n
gree. posted. / remember that nv 6
,citement was SO great that I went A
It to do so without my hat, and was S
lowed home as suspicious character l.
the policeman on our street, in con- r.
quence. IL
bounced about in bed for hours that "
ght and slept late next morning in u
nsequence. Out of breath and pallid 81
arrived at our establishment after Il
urs next day. d.
There's been person here inquir-
for you," said Briggs, the individ- +"
| who noted down our sins of tardi- s,
IS and the consequent ''deductions;,
gent in gray clothes. Said his name &C
IS Doughty, and he came about a ring. d,
said you'd understand" SC
Understand! did, alas! but too well. ca
e blow had fallen. However, could d.
nothing until Marcella returned the sh
g, or babe me come and get it. / ar
uld not implicate her by mentioning bs
: name. he
Briggs" said /, II don't want to
that man yet, not for day or two"
Owe him something and don't want sa
settle till salary timer" said Brigg.
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