The age-herald., 1897-08-03

 , proachable as her father, who was q silent, mSsterious man, with frownine face and repeliant manner.
 They were creoles, and the hot blood 2f the tropics rioted in their veins. De- spite his sixty years, old Furiong was not man to be triffed with, and his 1 daughter knew how to take care of her self and make her soldier admirers re- frain from forcing their attentions upon her.
 Sometimes the neighbors questioned the servant, but the mulatto woman had been well trained. She said that she . had always lived with the Furlongs. They were mighty good people, but she knew very little about their affairs. Her master might be rieh, or he might have lost everything in the war. Il was none Of her business, she aid, and it was enough for her to know that she was well treated and that her young mistress was very good to her.
 The bombardment Of he city had con- tinued for week or two before Furlong could make up his mind to pack up and seek a place of safety. He did not know where to go. The union armies were overrunning trfe south, and there seemed to sbe no escape from the invaders
 Finally, the old man boxed some of his household goods. and had everything ready for sudden parture.
 Bessie he said to his daughter one morning. "eome in here and lock the door,"
 The girl quietly followed him into his room, and turned the key as she closed the door.
 My child" said Furlong in a low tone somewhat tremulous with suppressed excitement, we must leave tonight for Savannah. It will be bettsr for us to be in seaport town when the surrender comes than to be here with the railroads all torn up around us. From Savannah you can go by steamer to your aunt in New Orleans. when the federals come in"
 But you will be there to take care of me" interrupted Bessie f..
 Perhaps not replied her fathsr. q may not be alive, or I may be arrested l must provide for you while I can. Peo- pie think that we are very poor, and have encourag q that belief But I have saved a little fortune for us, or for you, If 1 should die soon, and I am going to turn it over to you for safe-k seping."
 Bessie opened her eyes in wondering surprise when her father produced a leathsr belt and opened it.
 This diamond" continued Furlong, is allthat remains of my former wealth It is worth s5O00O anywhere, in good money-gold, l mean. Never mind how Fl obtained it. The story is too long to Htell now T. is mine and yours. In the . belt you will find. few hundred dollars in greenbacks to be used when you start ito New Orleans, which may be in few wee ks" ss He replaced the glttering stone-a fit gift for an emperor-in the belt, and handed it to his daughter.vs- 2 "Take it to your room,' he said. "and lose no time in buckllng 1t around your waist, next to your person. It is all that we havee. left in the world, and it will be enough to support you comfortably"
 The girl threw the belt on a table and rushed to her father throwing her arms around his neck. as, she burst into. a flood of tears.
 A hideous. shrieking noise in midair, crash and a thunderous explosion fol- lowed
 A shell had plunged through the house and exploded in the cellar.
 The little cottage was a wreck, enNelop- ed in cloud of smoke.
 Furlong was instantly killed by frag- ment of the she'll and his daughter was hurled coi ia,,c Ho tba
 The terrible messenger of death had passed downward through the room ex- ploding directly under it. Two sides of the room, tha little table, and other ar ticles of furniture had been blown into the street
 The precious belt with its big diamond had disappeared. and when Bessie thought of it, after tha first shock of her grief was over, it was not to be found.
 The old man was buried in Atlanta, and his daughter and the servant were sent by their kind-hearted neiglIbors to Sa- vanrah.
 A few months later they made their way to New Orleans, where the girl found a honaa with her aunt, who was in com fortable circumstances.
 But Furlong's fortune was never recov- cred by it's rightful owner. It had taken it's wild and wayward flight forever Perhaps it was blown into a neighboring forest. Possibly it,was carried by frag- ment of the shen deep down into the ground. e,-,s.. s,.ef .tt.
 Bessie Furlong lived only a few months after reaching New Orleans. That terri ble day of the siege had given her nerv- ous system a fatal shock, ,rande death came to her as pleasant relief. WALLACE PUTNAM REED.