San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-06-07
THE DIAMOND CROSS.

Why Arthur Hisluck went to the bar
was a mystery. Probably if he had tried
he could rot have chosen profession for
which he was less fitted, or which was less
to his taste. A gentle, retiring, morbidly
sensitive young fellow, who bushes when
be is spoken to, and who shrinks with hOi-
TOR from the very thought of appearing in
public, is not exactly the sort of person cal
culated to succeed as a barrister, nor is he
likely TO enjoy the boisterous, noisy, strug-
Cling life which barristers are compelled
to lead.
Why. having gone to the bar, Arthur
Hisluck Joined the Doltshire circuit was Il
further and still deeper mystery. In the
first place, he had not single friend among
the barristers on the circuit; in the second
place, he had not a single acquaintance
among the solicitors ON the circuit, and in
the third place, he had not single connec-
ton among the public on the circuit. Per
haps he knew few people out of London,
but it was next to impossible that there
was not some part of provincial England.
where he was not. quite so utterly friend
less as he was in the shires which formed
the Doltshire circuit.
I It cannot be said that the members Of
Arthur Hisluck. They considered them
selves rather a smart set; they were all
sons of the country gentry, or of the attor-
neys, brewers or wealthy pawnbrokers of
the district; at any rate, they all had local
connections of one sort or another, and the
intrusion of one utterly friendless was dis
tasteful to them. Moreover, the circum-
stance made them suspicious of him.
Why did he come where he was absolutely
unknown? Was it because he was equally
unknown elsewhere, or was it because he
did not want to go where he was known?
These were questions which were dis
cussed privately good deal, and not a
few of the bar agreed with the view enter
tanned and expressed by Mr.. Herman
Potts-the bully of the mess-that the
whole thing looked deuced shady.
1t must be admitted that Arthur His
luck's own conduct did not tend to dissi.
pate the suspicious of his fellow barristers.
The young man was, as has already been
said, of shy and retiring temperament
He kept himself very much to himself
He vouchsafed no information to the mess
as to his parentage or position. Neither
did he join in the somewhat rough jovial
ity which prevailed in the evening. Aftel
dining with the circuit he quietly with
drew, and going to his own room speu
there the hours which the other member
were devoting to cards, port and hilarity
This behavior was so unprecedented, anC
seemed to the mess so unnatural, that j
raised cloud of prejudice against hin
and did much to confirm the suspicion
which his friendlessness had aroused.
Hisluck Joined the circuit at Mudforti
"a
it to Rottenboro; there he was more or les
cut. When he reached Snobton the feeling
against him was so pronounced that HeI
man Potts felt safe in insulting him at tn
dinner table. This was too much for Tor
Brightley. Tom was a kindly fellow, an
though he knew nothing about Hisluc
and was more or less under the genera
prejudice against him, still he resente
Herman Potts behavior toward the frient
less Junior He took Hisluck's part, an
told the bully that his conduct was nc
creditable to himself or to the mess, VIII
tolerated it. Herman Potts, who lik
most bullies was coward, humble
some excuse and inwardly vowed to TAX
it out of Hisluck and Brightley yet.
The very next day strange thing hal
pened. Herman Potts was avery show
was also very fond of jewelry. On h
hands were several valuable diamond an
emerald rings, and over his waistcoat hun
a heavy watch chain, from the end
which dangled a beautiful diamond Gro
of Roman workmanship Potts was vel
proud of this cross, which, as he said, b
sides being of great intrinsic value, was
curiosity on account of its rare constru
ton. Well, it happened ON the day
question, when Potts was leaving the cou
house, TO his surprise and consternati,
he discovered that the ring which co
nected this cross to his chain had been C
almost completely through. Evidently
attempt had been made to steal it, a
had been very nearly successful. A We
slight pressure completed the severance
the ring, and Mr.. Potts, taking the crc
off, put it carefully in his waistcC
pocket, thanking heaven for its pres
walton.
A few minutes later Mr.. Herman Pc
came into the messroom. OF course he "
full to OVERLOOKING of the felonious' atten
that had been made upon his diamo
cross. As he ate his soup he talked lou,
of the narrow escape he had had, and
wondered vastly who the thief was a
how he could get at his watch chain.
''You see," he said, 81 was not out of
bar seats all day, except when went
the robing room at lunch. Now the I'll
must have been among the general pub
and YOU know there's barrier betw
their seats and ours. How any man Co
reach over that barrier, around me and
my watch chain without either me or