The Dickinson press., 1892-04-16

bit OF a fever,-it was him made up a
bed for her, built a screen to keep the
sun OFT, walked fifteen milein the night
to get things from the store, set ur
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, l were
ashamed to let him see | was loosin'
heart; and, when felt like blasphemin'
at things in genial, l used to take q
short walk and let off all my swearin'
where he couldn't hear me; well, it did
look asefwe hadhooked onto the ever
lastin' tishkittle. Then Israel funked
it n second time. We hev still a few
pounds lett he says to Gentleman
Ihorne, lets throw up the cards.
which they might hev done without
going from our written word, they
two formin' n 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
i'll the end he'd stick by Israel, and
keep him like his own flesh and blood
until he found the of keeping
hlsself, which was more than I'd hev
promised him, l will allow. Well, we
played on till the last cent was spent
in stores, and the stores had got
down to a hall n tin OF beef and a
screw OF shag, and then | lighted
on a %two-carat stone. The very next
day Gentleman Thorne found the
Great liesper. We couldn't allow it
vas real, yet we sorterthoughti 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
mlttee we agreed to go to a bank and
raise money on thediamond as soon's
Ne landed; but no one wouldn't take
us on, end. if the police hadn't put us
on this track, I'm burned if | know
what partic'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 despisedthe Judge, and abomina-
ted all lie 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 | thought she
looked more kindly upon me for the
glowing eulogium-of which l have
omitted IL great part--paid to me by
Brace.
The Kid changed her position, SEEM
ing tocatch some other fathers enthu-
siasm, and; sitting upon her heels with
herhands clasped before her, turnedher
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"
s"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 a low tone to
his daughter, who rose and left the
room.
"The next thing to consider u.s." 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 a small-a very, very small
share i'll it, paying down q certain
sum for your present convenience, and
taking it back when the diamond is
ultimately disposed OF, with q reason
able percentage upon the outlay. 1
make this suggestion MS a matter of
business, that you may feel yourselves
free from amy restraint in accepting
my offer"
1t took us but a few moments to
agree TO this proposal.
"1n that case" he proceeded; II
should wish to have q voice in the
management OF this business; and the
first suggestion l should make is, that
the finest artist i'll work ofthis kind be
engaged to cut the diamond underthis
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 TOR II own common security"
This arrangement wastoo obviously
advantageous to us to require argu-
ment; we consulted together, and
quickly agreed to accept the condi-
ton.
Sir Edmund read the agreement
through again, and then said:
owe must consult a lawyer with
regard to Il 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 l donot 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 IL 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, and
that we can not know before the
stone is cut. We will ques-
ton the best firms in London with re-
gard to a lapidary, and take our
time. Meanwhile, l will supply you
with what money you want upon
your |. 0. u, and the diamond shall
remain in your keeping. Talk it over
amongst yourselves at your leisure,
any modification you may think
advisable, l have no doubt l shah be
able to accept"
Miss Lascelles returned to thereon.
and she spoke to her father. Then
she went to Lola, who had curled her
self up or the skin, and knelt down
beside her. The girl was not asleep:
she started up into a sitting attitude
as Miss Lascelles approached, and
flung off the hand that was laid
tenderly on her arm.
"Yor don't dislike me, Lola?" the
young lady asked, smiling.
"Yes, do" the girl replied savage
ly.
"But | want to be your friend"
owe sha'n't never be friends"
lost Miss Lascelles' response, for u
49,. ..L-.-l q. ~