The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-23
tie house. and II. servant. did nm

tie house. and the servants did nct
choose 10 deliver 1t until he had dIned.
A servant led us through the park 10
the Abbey. and took Us into beautifu.
hall wainscOted with dark oak and
hung with antlers, Old arms and other
suitable decorations, and here We
waited until Sir Edmund LasceOI
came 10 US. Our spirits rose at tie
first glimpse OF the handsome. poruy
old gentleman. There was beneyOlence
in the little curls Of his soft white hair
and the promise Of kind treatment IN
the genial smile with which he greeted
US.
Well" he SAID, cheerfully, you
have something 10 sell me. have your
Yes" replied, 'if you can buy IL;
il Is a diamond"
"A diamond! All. that's a costly
kind OF curiosity. but | Ike them FOX
all that. Have you got it with you"
yes" said /, and turning over my
hand / opened IT, showing the leather
case strapped 10 my wrist, which con
tanned the Great Hesper, as we called
our diamond. The BarOnet was thun.
derstruck by the prodigious size Of tie
stone. for he could see that the leather
fitted it closely.
You tell me that this Is a diamond"
he exclaimed, lifting the case as il lay
on my hand.
I'VE had IL tested al Natal said
Van Hoeck. 1T is a white diamond
and II not Of the first water, Is certain.
ly Of the second. 1t weighs SO car
ats"
rs II possible? Come with me; $50
carats" said Sir Edmund. in great cx-
citcmcnt. Bring light into the il
brary at once he called 10 one Of the
servants.
We went into the library, where cut
the stitches Of the case. took out the
Great Hesper and put it into Sir I'd.
mund's hand, by which time Ieadin:
lamp had been brought in.
1T is true! II is true said he. Ok.
amining il under a powerful light. A
wonderful stone a perfect form - a
prodigy. Come here, Edith; look At
thisv
A young lady who had entered the
room drew near. II was only 10y look.
ing at the facet we had had cut and
polished that she could distinguish that
this was diamond. for it was dull and
gray, and looked ike lump Of glass
that had passed through the fire.
1T is an extraordinary a.zc, is it not,
papaE' she asked.
"Extraordinary, indeed! The Kohl
moor is not fourth Of the size. See
what the book says about that; get
down Haydn my dear"
Miss Lascelles fetched the book while
her father still examined the stone, as
an artist might masterpiece, and
presently read aloud
Its original weight was nearly 500
but il was reduced by the uI-
skilfulness Of the BorgheSe, q
270 carats; It's shape and
size resembled the pointed half rose
cut Of small hens egg; the value is
scarcely cOmputable, though two mill
ions sterling have been mentioned as Il
justtiable price, if calculated 10y the
scale employed by the trade. This dia-
mond was recut in 1872, and now
weighs 1927 carats."
Good, goodw cried the .Baronet.
with skilful cutting n diamond Of
such form as this need not lose 100
carats. Heavens" he exclaimed. turn
ing to us, you have the greatest treas
ure in the world
Give me your hand. Thornc; hold
me- said Van Hocc6, in a low voice
and speaking thickly.
! turned quickly ana caught him rs
he recled forward, for he had tainted,
tense excitement, or both. -,
;rw~---- To be continued.