The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-30
CHAPTER III.

mad us served WIN tbe DesL ne cCu4u
give 1t was a Tepast 10 recompense
us for our long prvations, and for a
time we famished wretches forgot our
treasure in the keen animal pleasure
OF satisfying the craving OF hunger.
Sir Edmund sat at the table with US,
GIrectlng the servants, who surely had
never before waited upon such strange
company. One could see that il was
real delight 10 this large-hearted man
TO see US eat and drink. Miss Las
celes herself waited upon Van Hoeck,
attending to his wants with feminine
tact and delicacy; his affliction ap-
pealed to her womanly sympathy.
She was tall and graceful girl, with
her fathers fair complexion, bright,
mirthful eyes, that added TO the hap
by expression OF her face, and beauti-
full soft brown hair, that took golden
lights and chestnut shadows in its un-
dulation. Shs looked you in the face
with fearlessness only possible TO
those who are perfectly healthy and
perfectly honest. TO the charm Of
physical beauty was added faultless
manner-the complete self.cOmmand
and unfailing grace inseparable from
lady of birth and education. She
was as courteous TO us, who must have
seemed the veriest outcasts OF society,
as though we were her equal. A true
lady can never be ungraciOus.
Her presence had an indescribable
effect upon my senses-the effect Of
fine music after discord. i was con-
scious Of return from sayagery 70
civilization. But 1t was not until my
gross appetite was satisfied that / be
came susceptible TO the new delight.
The baronet spoke not one word
about the diamond during dinner but
when it was all over he said:
"Well, now we will go back 70 the
library; and you shall come with us,
Edith, IL our cigars will not be disa-
greeable TO you, for we have marvel
Gus matter to talk about"
In the library Miss Lascelles seated
herself beside her father, while we
three men sat facing them on the other
side OF small round table, on which
1 placed the diamond. At little dis
tance from us there was lion skin
on the floor, and on this the Kid threw
herself, and as she lay there looking
toward us, with her chin resting in the
palms Of her hands and her elbows
planted in the fur, we saw scarcely
anything Of her but her great mstrous
eyes, because Of the shadow thrown by
the lamp shade.
"Now, let us understand the position
of things, TO begin WITH" said Sir Ed
mund, taking cigar, after handing
the box TO us.
This will explain good deal" said
], putting in his nand the copy Of our
agreement.
He held il that his daughter might
read it with him, and having come to
the end, said:
MAY ask which is the Judgep
THAT'S me- said Brace, with some
pride; "appinted by the Long Pike Wig
ilance Committee in 90"
You are an American"
Located as such for twenty years;
born in Cornwall"
"And Jake Van Hoeck?"
"Thats Israel" responded the Judge,
Indicating Van Hoeck; "an6 darkness
fell upon EN-" he added explanatlve-
ly.
During short space of his eventful
career Brace had earned precarlous
existence as q travelling preacher.
"Then you are Bernard Thorne," the
ho cold 10 mo top1 .nln icp
"The Kid" said Brace. Her moth
er was greaser-a Mexican ne ex-
plained TO Miss Lascelles. The dinner
had warmed his spirits and loosened
his tongue, and he continued: 1--WE
were drawed together at Cape Town
10y an advertisement in the paper. Our
afflicted brother wanted to stake his
little pile upon mining venture. He
dad studied the thing scientifically;
he had laid out kinder chart in his
head, pricked down where the great
finds had been made, sorter reasoned
out the cause thereof, end sot his mind
firm as n big find was TO be made in
certain spot known only TO himself,
We conversed, and he perceived with
out much difficulty es he had found the
right sorter pardner in me, end he kind
or left il with me TO find a third parry
20 jine in the venture. ! spotted out
Gentleman Thorne here among n doz-
en-. l liked the shape of his chest and
shoulders; liked the look OF his face:
j see that though he was outer luck.
he was a gentleman. every inch Of him,
and i tell you. miss" he said, address.
ing Miss Lascenes, that though
amt no gentleman myself, back blood
an breedin' ag'in all creation. A man
like Gentleman Thorne who has been
KEEP clean in his infancy, fed whole
some. trained up N public school.
and been learnt to respect himself and
God Almighty. has better temper. more
endurance, more pluck and fghtin'
power TO overcome and win than a
dozen OF the muckers that bounce
about bein' workin' men" He paused
moment TO let his words make due
impression. and then continued: Gen
tleman Thorne lad no experience. but
ne bad a hundred pound TO put into
the concern. and that fetched Israel
just as much as his looks fetched re.
Israel bad three hundred. had moth.
ing in the shape Of dollars, but threw
In the Kid. which, bein' female. was
calclated 10 be useful unter Us In the
nat'ral order OF things. What we had
we iumpt i'm and by written opree.