The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-04-05

10 il, ehY" ! said looking at small
case fixed on the wall before me. In
II was n gray feather mounted in 81.
yer, and underneath, date was en-
graved May 18th, IS.
We'll" replied my friend Burke, as
he rose from his chair and stood be
side me, his hands deep in his pock-
cts. II daresay you'll smile when ]
tell you that the feather you're looking
Mt not only won my wife for me but
brought great criminal 20 justice a.
well"
was incredulous, but knowing
Burke TO be man of sense ] resumed
my chair by the fire and placed my
self in an attitude for listening to
his story.
II is so many years since Nellie and
myself first met that ] almost forget
how IL came about. But ! remember
one morning, when was about TWEEN
ty-four years OF age / found myself
In the private Office OF Mr.. Potter, n
wealthy jewelcr in Regent street.
do not exactly rccollect what passed
between us, but when | re-entered the
street / had been engaged 10 assist
him in the selecticl Of gems, for was
supposed to know n good stone as well
as any man. and, ahem! perhaps !
did.
For about n year ! worked with Mr..
Potter, and at the end Of that time j
was compelled to acknowledge that ]
was In an extremely awkward posi-
toni had fallen in love with my
employers daughter But being
novice In the art feared TO declare
my passion, despite the fact that
often felt her searching eyes upon me
when in her presence, and was always
favored with one of her sunny smiles.
She lived with her mother on the
premises, while Potter made repeated
visits to the continent TO buy up par
cells OF diamonds and other stones for
setting,a invariably leaving me in
charge of the gem department during
his absence.
Now when man is in love his
wits are not sharpcned by the malady.
and ] was no exception 10 the rule.
discovered that until | had told Nellie
Potter of my devotion | was totally
Incapable of occupying the important
position intrusted 10 me, and one can
not afford TO make many mistakes
when dealing in precious stones. Ac-
cOrdingly, as soon as an opportunity
offered itself | robbed my heart OF It's
secret, and boldly and without fear
declared the love | bore for her Ncv-
rr shall i forget that day. The awful
suspense of waiting to see the effect
of my words, the slight glimmer In
her eyes that gave me hope, and then
with my heart throbbing as If NJ
bursting point learned that my love
was returned.
But" she added. with a little sigh,
"Tm afraid father will never agree
20 our marriage"
"Why notW | asked, as an icy trcm-
or ran through my frame.
Because he wants me to marry the
Honorable Mr.. Walrond, who will one
day be Lord Cairnforth."
what, that gambling spendthrift"
j cried, eXasperated, for tales of the
reckless life he was leading were al
ways reaching me. Besides. l knew
the man we'll for ne lived close az
hand and frequently entered the
shop TO buy jewelry, which, by the
way, he always took care to have en-
tered against him instead of paying
for il on the spot Now | understood
why Potter never allowed the account
TO he rendered and always greeted
him cordially when he came TO make
purchase. He wanted n title for
his daughter, and was striving 10
force her into an obnoxious union
with man she did not love.
But does Walrond-care for youG'
] asked, presently.
"He says he does. and his pigeons
are always pitching on my window
sill with little notes beneath their
wings. At first ! used to read them
because they amused me, but now |
leave the birds alone and they return
with the letters unread. No, | won't
marry him-I won't"
She tore herself from my grasp and
ran upstairs, choking with sobs and
fathers return to approach him upon
the matter. She should never marry
Walrond against her will so long as
] had breath within me 10 prevent the
union.
A week later Potter returned, and
that night l remained late with him
I'm his study. examining some small
Ia Ia. hu. Ia,
sterdam. Then. summoning up suf-
6cient courage TO face the ordeal,
blurted out the tcuth. For few
seconds he stood staring at me blank
ly. and / saw the veins slowly rising
I'm great knots upon his forehead. tell
Ing me plainly what the verdict would
be. Then he began to pace the room.
Are you mad. sir. or do you take
me for n fool? My daughter marry
you-you" he stormed. "IIa! ha! she's
for Mr. Walrond. not 'or you. and you
will live TO see her Lady Cairnfouh.
She's already afiianced To him"
Pardon me. Mr. Potter. but your
daughter seems ignorant 0. her en-
gagement." | interrupted
"Liarr' he retorted she knows 1t
as well as and better than ! DO. Look
here. Burke. my daugn,er is not for
you. so IL you're not content to work
here without filling your head with
such absurd ideas. why. take your
money and-go! Maybe you know the
great ruby is TO be her dowry. aud
that's what you're after!'
81 ignored his insults aud remained