The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-05

make your Hle happy one. can
not tomagS 1y te you all you have been acgus.
if matters prosper with me, if any
chance 1 have built on succeeds-and
it will fail or succeed tonight-you will
have those comforts which love will
heighten into luxHries and-and-' II.
He was becoming incoherent again and
this time with his eyes fixed elsewhere
than on my face. Following his gaze,
ton. The lady with the diamond was
approaching us on her way to the al
cove. She was accompanied by two
gentlemen, both strangers to me, and
her head, all alive with brilliants, was
turning from one to the other with an
indolent grace. I, was not surprised
that the man at my side quivered and
made start as if to rise. She was
a gorgeous image. In comparison with
of rich pink velvet, my diminutive
frame in its sea-green gown must have
looked as faded and colorless as half
obliterated pastel.
GA striking woman,' remarked as
I saw he was not likely to resume the
conversation which her presence had
interrupted. EAnd what diamond!'
The glance he cast me was peculiar.
"Did you notice It particularly" he
asked.
Astonished, for there was something
uneasy in his manner, SO that 1 half
expected to see him rise again and join
the group he was SO eagerly watching,
and before my lips could frame g. re-
spouse I quickly replied: -:
cit would be difficult not to notice
what one would naturally expect to see
only on the. breatst of queen. But
perhaps she is a queen. I should judge
SO from the homage which follows her.
His eyes sought mine. There was
/ did not understand.
"What can you know about dia-
monds9' he presently demanded.
"Nothing but their glitter, and glitter
is not all, the gem she wears may be a
very tawdry one.'
I flushed with humiliation. He was
a dealer in gems-that was his bust
ness and the check which he had put
upon my enthusiasm certainly made me
conscious of my own presumption. Yet
I was not disposed to take back my
words. [ had had a better opportunity
for seeing this remarkable Jewel than
he, and with the perversity Of some
what ruffed mood, I burst forth, as
soon as the color had subsidized from my
cheeks:
Ono, no. It is glorious, magnificent
I never saw it's like. I doubt if you
ever have, for all your daily acquaint-
ance with jewels. Its value must be
enormous. Who is she's You seem tc
know her,
It was a direct question, but I re-
ceived no reply. Mr.. Durand's eyes haG
followed the lady who had fingered
somewhat ostensibly on the top step
and did not return to me till she haG
vanished with her companions behinc
the long plush curtains which partly
yelled the entrance. By this time he
had forgotten my words if he had ever
heard them and it was with the forced
animation Of one whose thoughts are
elsewhere that he finally returned to thu
old plea. -
When would I marry him9 If h.
could offer me a home in month-anC
he would know this tomorrow-would
come to him then9 He would not say
in a week; that was perhaps too soon
but in month"; Would Ipromise to bt
his in month"; -. s=t
What I answered I scarcely recall
His eyes had stolen back to the alcov,
and mine had followed them. The gen
tlemen who had accompanied the ladie
inside were coming out again, but other
| we're advancing to take their places am
i soon she was holding a regular cour
! in this favored retreat.
Why should this interest mes VIII
should I notice her or look that wa,
t at all9 Because Mr.. Durand did, Pos
sibly., I remember that for all his arden
> lovemaking, felt little piqued that
: should divide his attentions in thi
way. Perhaps I thought he might hav
: been blind to such coquet's fascina
lions for this one evening at least.