The Dickinson press., 1892-04-23
THE GREAT RESPER.
TALE OF A BIG DIAMOND.
How an Immense Gem Was Lost,
Recovered. and Lost Again.
CHAPTER Nv.

I must summarize as briefly as
possible the events that took place
the week following Lola's flight, not
because | find them lacking in inter-
est,-for indeed these were the hap.
piest days l had v spent-but be-
Jus the lengthy description would
unduly retard the progress OF the
history l have set myself to mar
rate.
On the morning OF the 18th, search
was made for Lola. She was not in
the house. a little after midday, one
OF the keepers sent out to explore the
Abbey woods and park, reported that
he had seen the fugitive in the frplan-
tation, about a mile from the Abbey.
At sight OF him she had "scuttled"
away like a young deer, but he, obedi-
ent to orders had not pursued her.
cts the smell OF the pines as draw
ed her there" said the Judge; "she
a born amongst 'em, end she
loves 'em more than laces and
satins and picters, and sich like; and
it's more nat'ral for the little cuss to
sleep on the brown needles than in
feathers. Theirs no tamin' her. It's
instinc', end like foul weeds in q fair
pasture, durn her, there's no gettin'
it out of her. Leave her alone, sir
and she'll come in when she's hungry,
and then I will larn her the inquiry Of
ongratitude!"
In the afternoon we went in a brake
to Southampton, driving slowly
through the woods, with the posi-
bility OF being seen by Lola, who
would certainly then have followed
us; but we saw nothing OF her. At
Southampton we bought decent
clothes, and spent some time in the
hairdresser's. / hadmy beard shaved
off; and,we.'returned to the Abbey, very
much altered for the better in appear
ance.
Miss Lascelles was much distressed
about Lola, who was still absent.
Braces explanation of her leaving the
Abbey seemed u reasonable one; but
her antipathy to Miss Lascelles, which
led her to destroy the things she had
given her, was to me q mystery,-to
Miss Lascelles also, / believe, and q
very painful ONE. She seemed to feel
herself in some inscrutable way re-
sponsible for the girls action.
Sir Edmund returned in the evening
from London.
"Now, indeed; you look yourself
a gentleman" he said, shaking my
hand cordially. He had made in
quiries respecting q lapidary, and
learned that the most expert known
to the trade, was q nan
named Carvalho, then occupied at
Madrid. With our sanction he wrote
at one Offering this man his own
terms to come to the Abbey and cut
the Great Hesper.
At night, the door by which Lola
wassupposedt to nave escaped fromthe
Abbey was lett open, and q night light
was placed in her bedroom.
The next morning the dairymaid
said that some one had been at her
milk pans i'll the night; there was no
other evidence OF Lola having entered
the house. After breakfast, l deter
mined to go through the woods my
self in search of her. Miss Lascelles
wished to accompany me. l ought to
have pointed out to her thath her COM
pany lessened the chances of Lola
suffering me to approach her, but l
could not deprive myself the pleasure
OF having such a sweet companion.
We saw Lola at the edge of a clearing
on the hillside. She watched us as we
drew near. l called to her; but she
shook her head, and, turningher back
upon us, quickly disappeared amongst
the pines. The forlorn condition of
the girl; e rgesture, which seemedfull
OF sadness; the silent fall OF leaves;
the tristness of the autumn woods
overcame Miss Lascelles; and, as she
walked silently beside me, with her
head bent, l saw that she was crying.
This episode made a deep impression
upon me; yet, while my heart ached
with sympathy for the poor little saw
age wandering alone in those silent,
still woods, M indescribable happi-
ness stole over my senses. 1t was the
awakening OF love.
Sir Edmund had a basket of food
placed in the dairy, and the doors
again lett open.
On the 18th we learned that some
bread and fruit had been taken from
the dairy in the night. Sir Edmund
and l walked through the woods: we
saw nothing of Lola. Our converse
ton turned upon his daughter, andhe
told me how she had consoled him for
the loss OF his wife. He spoke with
natural pride OF her sweet and loyal
disposition. Later on, falling upon
the subject of the great diamond, he
asked how came to be a miner.
told him Of my loss by the failure of
the Imperial, OF I've impossibility of
my getting my !. u { as a clerk, etc.
Incidentally l referred to my mothers
family, and. the name leading him
to make further inquiries, he discover
ed the curions fact that nv mother
must have been his wife'scousin. How
often do we find wide circles OF friends
linked together in this way! l
thought that Miss Lascelles was
greatly pleased with the discovery of
the distant relationship existing be-
tween us; we seemed less remote from
each other.
During Il absence Miss Lascelles
had devoted herself entirely to Van
AACSShJ e ~ 1iipdCuy 1ldu IL 1cIIlttEk-
able effect upon this strange man.
When l took him up to his room to
dress for dinner, he asked me to open
the windows, and place him where he
might feel the air. He sat before the
open window; the setting sun was
reflected upon his sightless eyes.
l believe he became unconscious of my
presence, and l stood there watch
ing the play OF his features. His nos.
trils dilated, his brows creased to-
gether, his lips parted, showing his
teeth closely set, the whole expression
OF the face indicating extreme dread;
then the muscles relaxed, for a mo.
ment his cadaverous cheeks were
tinged with color, the yes closed, and
the lips trembled as if in ecstasy
Again his lids rose, and the look O
dread returned to his face. He shranl
back i'll his chair, and blinked his eyes
as though to give them light; ther
suddenly he flung out his arms wildly
and, with a smothered cry of i'm
potent rage, buried his face in hi
hands, his long, thin fingers pressing
tho 1,o,, ,,l:oS Sa 10y