The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-03-24


night after night to give her water,
end used for to sing out about the
sleepin' beauty and Cineralla, while
he was peggin away at the burned
stones, | will allow, miss, were
ashamed to let him see was loosin'
heart; and, when felt like blasphemin'
at things in genial, / used to take 6.
short walk and let Oft all my swearin'
where he couldn't hear me; well, it did
look as we had hooked onto the ever
lastin' fishkittle. Then Israel funked
it second time. We hev still few
pounds Left he says to Gentleman
1horne, let's throw up the cards,
which they might hev done without
going from our written word, they
two formin' majority. But Gentle
man Thorne wouldn't agree to it. 1t
wouldn't be fair to the Judge, he said,
and then he promised that If we failed
in the end he'd stick by Israel, and
keep him like his own flesh and blood
until he found the means of keeping
hisself, which was more than I'd hev
promised him, will allow. Well, we
played on till the last cent was spent
in stores, and the stores had got
down to O. hall q tin of beef and q
screw of shag, and then l lighted
on a two-carat stone. The very next
day Gentleman Thorne found the
Great Hesper. We couldn't allow it
was real, yet we sorter thought it was.
Anyhow, we didn't sleep till we got to
Natal and had it tested. We sold the
hitler stone, and scraped enough to-
gether to pay our passage to South
hampton by the next boat. In COM
mittee we agreed to 60 to a bank and
raise money on the diamond as soon's
we landed; but no one wouldn't take
us on, end, if the police hadn't put us
on this track, Pm burned if | know
what partic'l lar ole we should hev
been stickin' in at the present mo-
ment."
During this recital, which l have alb
breviated considerably, Van Hoeck,
who despised the Judge, and abomina-
ted all he said, sat with his eyes close
ly shut his nostrils pinched, and his
black brows creased together so that
they almost met. Miss Lascelles list
ened with intense interest, her pretty
lips just parted, and 1 thought she
looked more kindly upon me for the
glowing eulogium-of which l have
omitted a great part--paid to me by
Brace.
The Kid changed her position, SEEM
ing to catch some of her fathers enthu-
siasm, and; sitting upon her heels with
her hands clasped before her, turned her
flashing eyes sometimes upon me, but
more often upon Miss Lascelles, as if
to catch the effect of this narrative.
Zone thing is obvious" said Sir
Edmund, cheerfully; you won't want
to leave me tonight"
"Neery one on us, sir, you bet" re-
piled the Judge, while Van Hoeck and
l expressed the same sentiment in
other words.
The baronet spoke in low tone to
his daughter, who rose and left the
room.
1.-THE next thing to consider is" he
then said, chow can be of service to
you in this affair. To purchase your
treasure is of course altogether out of
the question. But l should like to
buy small-a very, very small
share i'll it, paying down certain
sum for your present convenience, and
taking it back when the diamond is
ultimately disposed Of, with a reason
able percentage upon the outlay. |
make this suggestion as a matter OF
business, that you may feel yourselves
free from any restraint in accepting
my offer"
1t took us but few moments to
agree to this proposal.
'In that case" he proceeded; 81
should wish to have q voice in the
management of this business; and the
first suggestion | should make is. that
the finest artist in work ofthis kind be
engaged to cut the diamond under this
roof, and that during the operation
you should take up your residence
here. This precaution is necessary
for the safe keeping of the treasure,
and for our own common security"
This arrangement was too obviously
advantageous to Us to require argu
ment; we consulted together, and
quickly agreed to accept the condi'
ton.
Sir Edmund read the agreemen
through again, and then said:
"We must consult a lawyer with
regard to a legal form of agreement
Here there is q kind of tontine ar.
rangement by which one would receive
an. enormous advantage by the death
OF his partners. 1t is an uncomfort.
able clause, and do not see the ne
cessity OF existence, now that the cir
cumstances which called for it's being
made are changed. A lawyer, may
provide for our security without ex
posing us to ugly possibilities. That
however can all be settled later on
There is no hurry. 1t will be time
enough to make the legal arrangement
when we have ascertained the value
of the property to be arranged, anG
that we can not know before thu
stone is cut. We will ques
ton the best firms in London with re
gard to a lapidary, and take oul
time. Meanwhile, l will supply yot
with what money you want upor
your |. 0. u, and the diamond shall
remain in your keeping. Talk it ovel
amongst yourselves at your leisure
and any modification you may thinl
advisable, l have no doubt shah b.
able to accept"
Miss Lascelles returned to ther room
and she spoke to her father. The1
she went to Lola, who had curled her
self up on the skin, and knelt dowl
beside her. The girl was not asleep
she started up into sitting attitud
as Miss Lascelles approached, ant
flung off the hand that was lait
tenderly on her arm.
"Yor don't dislike me, Lola?" the
young lady asked, smiling.
eyes, I do" the girl replied savage
ly.
"But want to be your friend"
eve sha'n't never be friends"
I lost Miss Lascelles' response, for
servant entered the room, and Sir Ed
mund addressed us.
"Your rooms are ready" he said
johnson will show you to them
you feel you would like to turn in"
The prospect of sleeping once NOR
| in a. oood he'd hroI1oht ,1s ~ o,,r foe