Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-02-04
A STOLEN DIAMOND.

sembled in pleasant room overlooking
beautiful giiden. They seemed 10 be
discussing subject of importance:
they were n young man Of about twenty
five, girl Of twenty, and the father Of
the latter, man Of about fifty.
"Why do we need richesi" asked
Theodore. tho young man. "Can they
by chance maintain our happinessl
Anna and | would 1.-Two very happily in
cottage. and the bread earned by my
labor would bc for us both sweet as am
brosia. Anna replied with a tender
glance, which seemed very eloquent TO
Theodore. because it openly repeated
that which tho girls heart had secretly
told him many times. The father who
had kind face, turned his head aside
to hide smile; then be exclaimed:
"My children, might tell you many
things which you would only use TO re-
peat in your turn in vain 10 your chill
dren twenty years from now; till then
you would neither believe them nor
understand them; but as love my
daughter more than my life and esteem
him who desires 10 be her husband
enough TO confde her happiness to his
care, cannot consent to your union till
Theodore returns from the voyage that
he is obliged 70 make under his employ
er's orders"
Theodore spoke slightingly of the profit
which he would derive from this voyage.
whose sole motive was commercial rea-
sons; but Anna's father was intlexible,
and the lovers were obliged TO yield to
what they considered an old mans whim.
"Goodby, Theodore" said Anna; "l
shall pray heaven, not that you return
rich. but constant
Theodore assured Anna with loving
glance that her wish would be granted.
and few days later he embarked
During the long voyage Theodore
thought of the places which he was to
visit, which were entirely new 10 him.
The splendors Of the orient evoked by
his imagination offered marvellous pic
lures; and little by little he formed an
idea of the extraordinary luxury of the
east
. But when they arrived in Constant
nople his disenchantment was intense.
In disgust at the difference between the
reality and tho descriptions, he resolved
I to think only Of his beloved; and as the
merchant whom he accompanied was TO
share the profits with him, he calcu-
lated about what ho should .rcceiye and
exclaimed: "Anna's father will bo sat
isfed. | ain now certain that nothing
will interfere with our happ.ness!
4 One evening, seated in his modest
room with his elbows on the table and
his head in his hands, no amused him
self by arranging the expenses Of his fu-
trlre home, discussed the grave question
Of servants, formed an interlninable list
OF furniture which no considered neces-
sary to adorn his house. and not content
with all this even thought of how his
beloved would look at the wedding,
when suddenly two knocks at the door
interrupted his agreeable task. lie
opened tho door, and was not a little
surprised at the entrance of man who,
after glancing around tho room, turned
and locked the door. Before TheoG.re
could speak the unknown said;
"Sir, we have only ten minutes to
make bargain, on which depends your
fortune and my life"
81 do not understand YOU
Listen" replied his mysterious inter-
locutor. 81 am a slave employed in the
mines. | have stolen q diamond and
feigning illness, have succeeded in be-
ing sent here. No prince in the world
possesses stone so precious as this; bat
my diamond is a treasure useless TO me,
because | am in need of money, and
without resources cannot escape to sell
1t. SO you understand | cannot hope
for any benefit from it: and if you viii
give me enough to escape the stone ia
yours"
"But"- stammered Theodore.
"Look at it and accept my proposition;
1t will make you rich and me happy be-
cause it will assist me to return to the
bosom Of my family"
And the slave showed an enormous
diamond to Theodore. who contemplated
It with intense astonishment.
Certainly" he said. lit is mag
nifcent stone. have seen many of its
class, but none so perfect nor so large.
Any ruler would be proud to sdorn his
crown with it.
"Do not lose time; by depriving your
self Of a few pounds you will be .
millionaire and will be happy"
"And If they pursue meI' observed
Theodore.
Pursue you Who would suspect
you! And then you can escape"
Theodore was in doubt, but as tho
slave was going he took the diamond
and gave f6 it what money he had, then
taking part of his portion from his ON
ployer' he also fed
Theodore provided himself with good
guide and travelled by the most rugged
paths. the more easily to escape any pur-
suit
However, one day they met band of
thieving Arabs.
"Have you money with you?" they
I'VE have only enough for the jour.
sey," Theodore answered.
"Then do not offer any resistance
after searching you we will leave you
snough TO finish your Jc1rncy.
That won't do replied Theodore
and raising his pistol he discharged it at
the first Arab. who fell
Other thieves came to the aid Of their
companions. and after "A fierce struggle
k,1l,l a. ..,,,.I, 81 .a,ly Th.aI,~.. ,,r,a