Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-01-21
Aechancsown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday January H. 1892

'iOu dOn't mean
Mrs. Dixon laughed-a shrill, excited
laugh.
IT'S really quite interesting to visit
those odd little foreign yessels,' said
she. 'I'!l take you there, dear, if you d
like?
Is that the way you got your dla-
monds, Luella:'
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell
you no lies, merrily retorted Mrs. Dix
on. You have the same chance that l
did. It's the duties on these luxuries
that makes the cost. Captain Sazeda
is in hurry to get back tc Rio Janerio.
If we go at all we'll haye to 90 to-
night .-
But it's Ralph's late night at the
bank! ! hesitated Dorothy.
"All the better. He mustn't know
a word of it. Men are so ridiculous
about such things. never would have
breathed word to you if | had sup
posed you would betray met
i won't! l won't" cried Dorothy,
her cheeks flushed. her dark eyes spark
ling. oh, Luella, do you think my
poor little seventy five dollars will buy
ANYTHING fit to look At 2
Great bargains are sometimes obtain
ed in that way nodded Mrs. Dixon
Good gracious, Is that eleven striking :?
Aud me due at nay dressmaker's at half
past ten. l must 90 Dorothy. Re
member II call for You at seven. Not
a minute before dark, yon know. Sa-
zeda VIII send up the CABIN boy to show
you the way Put on your waterproof,
and wear your Oldest hat and veil, and
make some excuse to Bridget. blind,
sharp seven
All day Dorothy Imray went about
her occupations like one in dream.
The strange, fantastic nature of the ad
venture appealed to the romantic side of
her being
She longed for diamonds as u desert
wandercr longs Tor cooling fountains.
She could tell Ralph that she had hired
them, that some of their relations up IN
Canada had bequrath9d them-she
could make up any sort Of story to
paclfy him. The rent must wait. Aunt
Rhoda would surely be in no haste about
her black brocalei gown ..
And Dorothy fell to thinking in what
shape the stones-prccious sparklers
from far southern mincs-should be set.
Seven o'clock came Ia raw, smoky
twilight, filled with fine, dlizzing rain
aud Dorothy and Mrs. Dixon were
picking their way along the narrow,
half lighted streets on the edge OF the
wharves, where the wind was full of
saline olors, and the crowded masts and
smoke stacks seemed TO overshadow
them like some outlaniish forest.
A stuntcd lad in tattered garments
trotted along in front Of them, wlnstling
| as he went, and now and tlen casting Il
backward glance to lnake sure that they
had not lost their way.
Presently he plunged into crazy old
house which seemed to balance itself on
the black tides below.
Mrs. Dixon tollowed-so did Dorothy
Imray, after one startled glance around.
They descended Il flight of ruinous
stairs, crossed rude gangplank, and
found themselves Oh stupendously
dlrty vessel, smelling of tar and cnions
and rocking back and forth with the
swell produced by the ferry boats
that came and went at intervals.
A humpbackcd little man in tarnish
ed'velveteen sat on bucket turned up.
side down, holding lantern which he
swung toward ii cabin door beyond.
'Ha, Giacome ! he utted, lie signora
she come to see re parrot an ze cocka-
too She ls welcome. Walk Eat way,
! please.
And Dorothy and her friend descend
| ed into low cei|rd, dirty place, lined
with cages of numberless shriekng for
eign birds, and a iocund looking young
man with a mandolin slung around
his neck was leisurely picking ont ii
tune by the light of a smoke bbtckened
lamp. 49,. ~.
He looked at Mrs. Dixon, Nl,o nodded
her head, while Dorothy stood t'em--
bling and little sea sick at her side.
lie laid down the mandolin, bowed
not ungracefully, to Dorothy, and clos
ing the doors with vigilant care, opened
shallow cigar box which lay on the
, table.
All at once the air seemed to flash in
to scintlllations Of light. Dorothy start
ed back with Il slight exclamation,
Not loud word was spoken as, guild
ed by Mrs. Dixon's advice. Doroty Sc
lected five many-fAceted stones and land
down her little roll OF bank bills. Her