Evening journal., 1900-11-24
The DanVerS Jewels
BY MARY CHoLMoNDELEY,
Author of "RED POTTAGE."

Estimated at fabulous sum, he said,
closing his eyes again. "Ahl had they
been mine with what joyful alacrity
should l have ascertained their exact
money value And mine they ought to
have been if the sacred law Of primo
geniture that special providence which
watches over the interests Of eldest sons)
had been duly observed. Sir john mad
not the pleasure of my acquaintance,
but fear he must have heard some re-
ports-no doubt entirely without founda-
tion-respecting my career, which in
duced him to pass me over in this man
ner. What amoral Ny father and my
Aunt Mary are always delicately point
ing out the difference between Ralph
and myself. wish We're a good young
man. like Ralph. II seems to pay best
in the long run; but may as well in
form you, Col. Middleton, Of the painful
fact that ! am the blacl; sheep Of the
family"
"Oh. come. GOMEZ! l remarked un-
easily.
81 should not have alluded TO the sub
ject if you We're not likely to become
fully aware of it on your arrival, SO /
viii be beforehand with my relations. l
was brought up in the way should 60"
he continued with the utmost uncon-
Germ, as if commenting ON something
that did not affect him in the least, "but
| did not walk in it. partly owing TO the
uneOngeniai coinpanioDship that it in
volved, especially that of my aunt Mary,
who took up 50 much room herself in
the narrow path that she effectually
kept me out of It, From my earliest
youth, also. / took extreme interest
in the parable of the prodigal, and
as soon as it became possible |
exemplifed it myself. may even
say that acted the part in manner
that did credit to a beginner; but the
wind up was ruined by the lamentable
inability of others. who shall be name
less. to throw themselves into the spirit
Of the piece At various intervals" he
continued. always rs if speaking Of some
one else, Il have returned home, but |
regret to say that on each occasion my
reception was not IN any way what |
could have wished. The flavor of a fatted
calf is absolutely unknown to me; and
so far from meeting me half way. |
have, in extreme cases, when impelled
homeward by urgent pecuniary consid-
erations. found myself obliged to walk
up from the station"
Dear me. hope it is not farg" said.
"a mere matter of three miles or so
mp hill" he resumed; nothing to q
healthy Christian, though trying to the
trembling legs Of the ungodiy after a
long course Of husks. There, now | think
you are quite an fait as 10 our family
history. ! always pity stranger who
comes to a house ignorant of little do
mestio details Of this kind; he is apt 10
make mistakes. Oh, pray don't mention
it'-as / murmured some words Of
thanks - mo trouble, l assure YOU;
trouble is thing ! don't take. BY the
way, are you aware we are going
straight into a nest of private theatricals
at Stock Moreton? Tonight is the last
rehearsal; perhaps l had better look
over my part. took it once years ago.
but don't remember a word of it."
And after much rummaging in a mag
nifcent silver mounted travelling bag
the Prodigal pulled out paper book and
carelessly turned over the leaves.
did not interrupt his studies. save by
a few passing comments on the weather,
the state of the country and my own
health, which am sorry 10 say is not
what it was; bnt as | only received
monosyhabic answers. we had no more
conversation worth mentioning till we
reached Stoke Moreton
(To be Continued Monday.