The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-19
A STOLEN DIAMOND.


end Of August, three people were as
sembled in pleasant room overlooking
beautiful garden. They seemed to be
discussing a subject Of Importance;
they were young man of about twenty
five, girl of twenty, and the father of
the latter, man of about fifty.
"Why do we need riches?' asked
Theodore, the young man. "Can they
by chance maintain our happiness?
Anna and | would live very happily in
cottage, and the bread earned by my
labor would be for us both sweet as am
brosia." Anna replied with a tender
glance, which seemed very eloquent to
Theodore, because it openly repeated
that which the girls heart had secretly
told him many times. The father, who
had kind face, turned his head aside
to hide smile; then he exclaimed:
"My children, | might tell you many
things which you would only use to re-
peat in your turn in vain to your chill
dren twenty years from now: till then
you would neither believe them nor
understand them but as love my
daughter more than my life and esteem
nm WIN utSlIcS W De EbT UIlSDtbilu
enough to confde her happiness to his
care, cannot consent to your union till
Theodore returns from the voyage that
he is obliged to make under his employ
er's orders"
Theodore spoke slightinyly of the profit
which he would derive from this voyage.
whose sole motive was commercial rea-
Sous: but Annals father was inhexible.
and the lovers were obliged to yield to
what they considered an old mans whim.
"Goodby, Theodore" said Anna; ~
shall pray heaven, not that you return
rich, but constant"
Theodore assured Anna with loving
glance that her wish would be granted,
and few days later he embarked.
n
During the long voyage Theodore
thought Of the places which he was to
visit, which We're entirely new to him
The splendors Of the orient evoked by
his imagination offered marvellous pic
lures; and little by little lie formed an
idea Of the extraordinary luxury of the
east
Eut when they arrived in CONSTANT
nople his disenchantment was intense.
ln disgust at the difference between the
reality and the descriptions, he resolved
TO think only OF his beloved: and as the
merchant whom he accompanied was to
share the profits with him. he calcu-
lated about what he should receive and
exclaimed Annals father viii be sat
lshed. ! am now certain that nothing
will interfere with our happinessr'
One evening, seated in his modest
room with his elbows ON the table and
his head i'll his hands, he amused him
self by arranging the expenses of his fu-
ture home. discussed the grave question
OF servants formed an interninable list
OF furniture which he considered ntases-
sary to adorn his house, and not con. cut
With all this even thought of how his
beloved would look at the welding.
when suddenly two knocks at tho door
interrupted his agreeable task lie
opened the door, and was not litllc
surprised at the entrance Of man vino,
after glancing around the room turned
and locked the door. Before Theodore
could speak the unknown said:
"Sir, we have only ten minutes 10
make bargain, on which depends yolr
fortune and my life"
81 do not understand you"
Listen, replied his mysterious inter
locutor. Il am slave employed in the
mines. | have stolen diamond and,
feigning illness, have succeeded in be-
ing sent here. No prince in the world
possesses a stone so precious as this; but
my diamond is treasure useless to me,
because | am in need of money, and
without resources | cannot escape to sell
it. So you understand | cannot hope
for any benefit from it; and if you will
give me enough to escape the stone is
yours"
"But'- stammered Theodore.
"Look at it and accept my proposition;
it will make you rich and me happy, be-
cause it will assist me to return to the
bosom of my family"
And the slave showed an enormous
diamond to Theodore, who contemplated
it with intense establishment.
Certainly" he said, sit is mag
nifcent stone, / have seen many of its
class, but none SO perfect nor so large.
Any ruler would be proud to adorn his
crown with it."
''Do not lose time; by depriving your
self of few pounds you will be 6
millionaire and | will be happy"
"And if they pursue me?' observed
Theodore.
pursue you'll Who would suspect
you? And then you can escape"
Theodore was in doubt, but as the
slave was going he took the diamond
and gave for it what money he had, the1
taking part of his portion from his EN-
ployer, he also fed.
Theodore provided himself with a gooC
guide and Travelled by the most rugged
paths, the more easily to escape any pur
suit.
However, one day they met band o