The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-08-09

10 be forgotten that IL why chose dia-
! mondr.
Jennie took the string. her own eyes
| for moment rivaling In brilliancy the
sparkle Of the gems; then the moisture
obscured her vision and she automatic
ally poured the stones from one hand
20 the other, as II their scintillating
glitter hypnotiEed her. She tried once
or twice to speak, but could not be sure
of her voice, 30 remained silent The
princess, noticing her agitation. gently
lifted the necklace and elasped IL round
the girls white throat, chattering all
the while with nervous haste.
"Therel You can wear diamonds,
and there are 80 many to whom they
are unbecoming. also look well in
diamonds; at least 30 I've been told
over and over again, and I've come TO
believe it at last ! suppose the young
men have not concealed from You the
fact that you are strikingly good
looking girl, Jennie Indeed. and this
Is brag IL you like, we two resemble
one another enough to be sisters, nearly
the same height, the same color OF eyes
and hair. Come to the mirror. Miss
Handsomeness, and admire yourself "
She dragged Jennie to her feet and
drew her into the room, placing her
triumphantly before the great looking
glass that reflected back full length
portrait
"Now confess that you never saw a
prettier girl" cried the princess glee-
fully.
II don't think ever did," admitted
Jennie, but she was looking at the
image Of the princess and not at her
own. The princess laughed, but Miss
Baxter seemed too much affected by the
unexpected present to join in the merri-
ment. She regarded herself solemnly in
the glass for few moments, then
slowly undid the clasp, and, slipping
the string Of brilliants from her neck.
handed them back to the princess
lyon are very, very kind, but can
not accept so costly present.
"Cannot2 Whyp Have l offended
you by anything l have said since you
Gamer
ob' ho, lloI ~ ISil UuHU.
"What. then9 Don't you like me,
after ALP
Like your l love you. princess |"
cried the girl impulsively, throwing her
arms round the others neck
The princess tried to laugh as she
pressed Jennie closely to her, but there
was tremor Of tears in the laughter.
"You must take this little gift as
souvenir Of your visit with me. l was
really-very unhappy when you came,
and now-well, you smoothed away
some Misunderstanding I'm very
grateful. And it isn't natural for a wo-
man to refuse diamonds. Jennie.
~ know it isn't, and 1 won't quite
refuse them. I'll postpone. II is posi-
BILE that something l shall do before
long may seriously offend you If it
does, then goodby to the necklacel If
it doesn't, when l have told you all
about my misdeed-I shall confess cour-
ageously-you will give me the dia-
monds.
Dear me. Jennie, what terrible
crime are you about to commit? Why
not tell me now? You have no idea
how you have aroused my curiosity"
II dare not tell you. princess. not
until my project proves success or a
failure. We women-some have our
way made for us; others have our own
way to make. am among the others,
and hope you will remember that, if
you are ever angry with me.
''ls it a new kind Of speculation. a
fortune made in day, gambling2'
Something of that sort. l am going
to stake good deal on the turn of a
card; SO please pray that luck will not
be against me.
"lf pluck will make you win, am
sure that you will carry it through. but
If at first you don't succeed, try, try
again. and if You haven't the money
III supply the capital. know l should
like to gamble. Anyhow, you have my
best wishes for your success
"Thank you. princess. can hardly
fail after that
The time had come when the two
friends must part. The carriage was
waiting to take Miss Baxter to the sta