The Portland daily press., 1892-02-09
A STOLEN DIAMOND.

sembled in pleasant room overlooking
a beautiful garden. They seemed to be
discussing subject of Importance;
they were young man of about twenty
five, girl of twenty. and the father OF
the latter, man of about fifty.
"Why do we need riches?" asked
Theodore, the young man. "Can they
by chance maintain our happiness?
Anna ard | would live very happily in
a cottage, and the bread earned by my
labor would be 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 tie girls heart had secretly
told hir, many times. The father. who
had kind face, turned his head aside
to hide a smile; then he exclaimed:
my children, might tell you many
things which you would only use to re-
peat in your turn in vain to your chill
dren twenty years from now; till then
you would neither belieSa them nor
understand them; but as | love my
daughter more than my life and esteem
him who desires to be her husband
enough to confde her happiness to his
cars. cannot consent to your union till
Theodore returns from the voyage that
he is obliged to 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 Annals father was infexible
and the lovers were obliged to yield tc
what they considered an old mans whirn.
"Goodby, Theodore" said Anna; ~
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 to 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 Constanti-
In disgust at the difference between the
reality and the descriptions, ne resolved
to think only of his beloved; and as the
merchant whom he accompanied was to
share the profits with him, he calcu-
lated abc0s what he should receive and
exclaimed: "Anna's father will be sat-
isfied | am now certain that nothing
will interfere with our happiness!"
One evening, seated in his modest
room with his elbows on the table and
his head in his hands, he amused him
self by arranging the expenses of his flu
ture home, discussed the grave question
of servants, formed an interminable list
of furniture which he 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. He
opened the door, and was not little
surprised at the entrance of man who,
after glancing around the room, turned
and locked tie door. Before Theodore
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. II am slave employed in the
mines. have stolen a diamond and,
feigning illness, have succeeded in be-
ing sent here. No prince in the world
possesses stone 50 precious as this; but
my diamond is a treasure useless to me,
because | am in need of money, and
without resources cannot escape to sell
it. So you understand cannot hope
for any benefit from it: and if you will
give me enough to escape the stone is
you;s"
''But"- stammered Theodore.
''Look at it and accept my proposition;
it 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 establishment.
Certainly" he said, sit is mag
nifcent stone. have seen many of it's
class, but none so perfect nor so large.
Any ruler would be proud to adorn his
crown with it.
''Do not lose time; by depriving your
self of a few pounds you will be
millionaire and will be happy"
'tAnd if they pursue mel" observed
Theodore.
pursue you! Who would suspect
you? And then you can escape"
Theodore was in doubt, but as the
slave was going he took the diamond
and gave for it what money he had, then
taking part Of his portion from his en-
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
thievin3 Arabs
"Eava you money with you?' they
sskea.