The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-11-15

the house, ana The servAdts did NOT
choose TO deliver It until he had dined.
A servant led us through the park to
the Abbey, and took us into beautiful
han wainscoted with dark oak and
hung with antlers, old arms and other
suitable decorations, and here we
waited until Sir Edmund LasceliQs
came to us. Our spirits rose at the
first glimpse OF the handsome, portly
old gentleman. There was benevolence
in the little curls OF his soft white hair
and the promise OF kind treatment In
the genial smile with which be greeted
us.
We'll" be said, cheerfully, you
have something to sell me, have your
Yes replied, IF you can buy it;
it is a diamond"
"a diamond! An, that's costly
kind Of curiosity, but like them for
all that. Have you got it with youT'
"Yes," said I, and turning over my
hand I opened it, showing the leather
case strapped to my wrist, which CON
tanned the Great Hesper. as we called
our diamond. The Baronet was thun-
aerstruck by the prodigious size Of the
stone, for he could see that the leather
fitted it closely.
"You tell me that this is a diamondF'
he exclaimed, lifting the case as it lay
on my hand.
I'VE had it tested at Natal said
Van Hoeck. 1T is white diamond,
and if not Of the first water, is certain
" Of the second. It weighs $40 car
ats
Is it possible? Come with me; $50
caratsl' said Sir Edmund. in great ex-
element Bring hight into the IL
brary at once" he called to one Of the
servants.
We went into the library, where cut
the stitches Of the case. took ont the
Great Hesper and put it into Sir Ed
mund's hand, By which time reading
lamp had been brought in.
1T is true! 1t is truev' said he, ex-
amining it under powerful light. "a
wonderful stone perfect form -
prodigy! Come here, Edith; look at
thisr'
a young lady who had entered the
room drew near. 1t was only by look
ing at the facet we had had cut and
polished that she could distinguish that
this was a diamond, for it was dull and
gray, and looked like a lump OF glass
that had passed through the ire.
1T is an extraordinary Aize. is it not,
papa?" 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
carats. but it was reduced by the I'M
skilfulness of the artist Borghese. a
Venetian-to 279 carats; its shape and
size resembled the pointed half rose
cut Of a small hens egg; the value is
scarcely computable, though two mill
ions sterling have becs mentioned as a
justifiable price. if calculated by the
scale employed by the trade. This dia-
mond was recut in 1852, and now
weighs 1929 carats."
Good, goodv' cried the Baronet.
With skilful cutting diamond OF
such a form as this need not lose 100
carats. HeavensH' he exclaimed, turn
ing to us, you have the greatest treas1
ure in the world"
"Give me your hand, Thorne; hold
me-" said Van Hoeck, in low voice
and speaking thickly.
turned quickly and caught him as
he reeled forward. for he had tainted,
either from the want Of food. from in
tense excitement, or both.
To be continued.