The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-04-16
The GREAT HESPER,
TALE OF A BIG DIAMOND.
How an Immense Gem Was Lost.
Recovered, and Lost Again,
CHAPTER III.

Recovered, and Lost Again,
CHAPTER III.
When Van Hoeck recovered, and
the baronet heard of our long fast, he
took us at once into the dining-room,
and had us served with the best he
could give. 1t was a repast to rec
ompense us for our long privations,
and fora time ,e furnished wretches
forgot our treasure in the keen animal
pleasure of satisfying the craving of
hunger. Sir Edmund sat at the table
Withus, directingt the servants, who sure
" had never before waited upon such
strange company. One could see that
it was a real delight to this large
hearted man to see us eat and drink.
Miss LasceIles herself waited upon
Van Hoeck, attending to his wants
with feminine delicacy, his affection
appealed to her woman's sympathy.
She was a tall and graceful girl, with
her fathers fair, complexion, bright,
mirthful eyes, that added to
the happy expression Of her face, and
beautiful soft brown hair that took
golden lights and chestnut shadows in
it's undulation. She looked you in the
face with q f~earlessness only
possible to those who are perfectly
healthy and perfectly honest. To the
charm of physical beauty was added
a faultless manner,-the complete self
command and unfailing grace insepa-
rable from q lady OF birth and
education. She was as courteous to
us, who must have seemed the veriest
outcasts OF society, as though we were
her equal. A true lady cal never be
Nneraesous.
. Her presence had an indescribable
effect upon my senses,-the effect OF
fine music after discord. ] was con
scious of a return from savagery to
civilization. But it was not until my
gross appetite a satisfied that l be-
came susceptible to this new delight.
The Baronet spoke not n word
about the diamond during dinner, but
when it was all over he said:
Well, now, we will go back to the
library: and YOU shall come witt =
Edith, if our cigars will not be dis
agreeable to you, for we have a
marvellous matter to talk about"
In the library Miss Iascellas seat
ed herself beside. her father, while we
three men sat facing them on the
other side of a small round table, on
which l placed the diamond. At a
little distance from there was a lion
skin on the floor, and on this the
Kid threw herself; as she lay there
looking toward us, with her chin
resting in the palms of her hands and
her elbows planted in the
fur, we saw scarcely anything OF
her but her great lus-
trous eyes, because OF the shadow
thrown by the lamp shade.
"Now, let us understand the posi-
ton of things to begin WITH" said Sir
Edmund, taking a cigar, after handing
the box to us.
''This will explain a good DEAL"
said /, putting in his hand the copy
OF our agreement.
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He held it that his daughter might
read it with him, and, having come to
the end, said,- w.
0Mav T ask which ia the ,Judte?"