, 1892-02-16

'"We have only enough for the jour
ney," Theodore answered
Then do not offer any resistance.
after searching you we will leave you
enough to finish your journey"
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
killed the guide and took Theodore pris-
oner, and Notwithstanding the fierce re-
sistance which he made, they took pos
session of the diamond.
His great grief at losing it made the
Arabs think that it was an amulet, and
one of their women gave the stone to her
child as a plaything.
After a time the Arab chief, becoming
fond of the prisoner, told him that when
his wounds were healed he would be
free to leave them with all that they had
taken from him.
50 Theodore recovered with his health
his diamond and his liberty.
Not knowing which way to go he con-
cealed himself in a cave, where he re-
manned two days, when q caravan ap-
peared, which he Joined, and was thus
able to continue his journey.
Always worried and suspicious he took
the poorest accommodations in the inns
and the cheapest food, so that no one
might suppose he possessed a treasure.
Near the end of his journey he wrote to
Annals father, and began his letter with
this phrase:
II am rich, immensely richr"
This ~displeased Anna, who thought
that Theodore should have written of
more important things first; but she
silenced her misgivings, concluding that
his conduct, was only another proof of
his love for her.
However, the thought of the immense
fortune of her lover robbed her of her
natural light heartedness; her father
also was very reserved-not to appear
covetous; and Theodore, considering
that he would be comforting a favor by
marrying Anna, gave himself the airs of
a protector.
As they thus mutually were deceived,
their first interview was cold and unsat-
~isfactory to both.
A few days later Anna said to Theo-
dore:
81 do not know why, but your fortune
frightens me; it destroys all our plans"
What does hat natter Theodore
answered. Thanks to my riches. we
can now go to Paris and live in one of
the finest palaces"
"Oh, | should have preferred our lear
little house-our trees and our dreamed
of happiness-to all the palaces and
riches in the worldr'
Thaplara xra,t e., Dar,a 90 400 rAo
royal jeweler, but the latter was absent
and would not return for eight or ten
days. So he employed the time in look
ing for a splendid house and furniture
and ornaments to correspond. he also
ordered a carriage and pair of magniti-
cent horses. He soon found that he had
a multitude of relations who till now
had not troubled themselves about him.
When he entered the drawing room
his nam caused a sensation and people
talked of the immense fortune he had
made in the east.
He was well received everywhere.
Mothers tried to attract him for their
daughters, and the daughters decided
that he was very eligible.
Poor Anna was running grave risks
of being forgotten. However, shortly
afterward the two lovers, now husband
and wife, were living in the same little
house of which Anna had 80 often
dreamed.
When the court jeweler examined
Theodore's diamond, he said:
"Truly, it is admirablel However, |
do not wish to possess it, for | do not
deal in false stones. This is a splendid
imitation, and it will not be difficult for
you to sell it. Any jeweller will give
you ten francs for it."
With those ten francs Theodore was
able to regain Havre on foot. There he
fortunately found a position with a
salary of $500 francs a year, and shortly
afterward he and Anna were married.
Translated from the Spanish of Maria
del Pillar SHINES by Il j Eannndns for