The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-19
DrittWOOd
The L.adx or the plamonds
BY PHIL H. ARMSTRONG;

~NA8AA&P%~& From the guests assembled at the masquerade ball. Raymond selected an attractive girl, in the costume of a French court lady, upon whose finger sparkled large diamond.
 Rowing politely, he adopted a time worn ruse, insisting that they had met before and trusting to colossal nerve to help him along. At first Mademoiselle appeared astonnded at hts boldness. but re- fpembering that the occasion was not Q formal one, yielded to his irristible personality. The result was she con- scented to dance, and as they giided they were floating on air.
 Fascinated. for the first time. he felt on the point of relenting and ignoring the 'job" that awaited upstairs Feel ing the touch of her goid-brown, hair against his cheek. he trembled with joy
 The ball room was lavishly decorated with flowers and numerous incandes- cent bulbs cast different coIored light on the scene. The orchestra began waiting the strains of sursurrous waltz Though half closed eyes he watched the moving figures and thought that because her hand trembled within his, the girl was beginning to love him This prompted sudden resolution to run away from temptation, Ray mond. noted for his nerve. was weak ening.
 They danced on; the man obIivious to everything except the Girl
 The music ceased for intermission.
 You are all out of breath. Miss" he ventured, Let's go into the con-. servatoryH
 Very we'll" she replied.
 Selecting a corner they sat down on Q window seatan the girl continued to talk with the utmost sang freid. Raymond felt assured that here he would weaken, for polite conversation was not numbered among his ac- complishments.
 He cherished hope that she would not discuss literature or art but Just allow him to make love; that was one thing he knew how to do. A woman win listen to love words and not notice erors of grammar.
 You Americans are so different from the French" declared Mademoiselle. petnlently.
 'Y-yes," he replied. with some ems barrassment.
 "of course you have visited Paris any number of times, Mir. er--"
 Desmond of Wall Street." he Inter- rupted. wondering at his audacity.
 ''Yes--dear old Paree,Y he smiled behind his hand--i1e was getting on
 Raymond had never crossed the ocean.
 T dare say you were pleased with some of our French9 9dfshes?s we are ahead of America you know in the way of chefsz"
 French was not the bestl. Only couldn't stand for your frscksa-sad rats--"
 "Snails are considered a delicacy among the French. but rats--how impossible --you evidently have us confused with the Chinese"
 That's it." he replied sheepishIy. realizing his blunder.
 That's right, Miss" nearly queer. ed the game~-I mean rung the wrong doorbell-hang 1t don't know what do mean--of I could only cut out slang. Us brokers are so slangy." Mademoiselie appeared shocked I There was a long interval In which the young man plainly apeared III at l ease. T suppose you Wall Street brokers find life very strenuous. I don't see how you endure it." His eyes rested intently upon his l thumb.
 'Yes, Miss. Now tumble to that mean just cast your lamps on that cut lin my thumb-done that cuttin' cou- pons--seeg
 | inflicted in a street fight.
 "oh, mon dieuA What a scar" she exclaimed excftedfy.
 Raymond dropped suddenly upon his knees and took her hand in his.
 Perhaps she was prepared for what was to follow:
 ] -ITittie girl I love you" he cried passionately as he bowed his head. The maid trembled little and shrank from him.
 though awaiting an answer that would mean great deal to him. No one was near.
 Though the portiers he could see. He he turned his head, the scores of whirl- ing figures. | How far away they seemed: He Listened awhile to the music that somehow seemed to sweep responsive chord upon the strings of his heart
 There was the subtle fragrance In the air from many roses and one could imagine the ball q scene out of Fairy | He bent lower as if t. kiss the shapely hand on which sparkled the diamond
 Suddenly the girl gave a loud scream and laughed hysterically while the man bounded out of the window and into the darkness.
 After he had gone the girl removed | her mask.
 She was smiling faintly. for. where as, a moment before she thought he meant the love words be uttered. she was happy in the realization of the fact that he did not.
 If Raymond, Professional Thief, had waited to look upon her features, he would have recognized Tn them the face of one, who had, in desguise. fol- lowed him to the ball--His wife!
 When the guests crowded about "Afademoiselle' shs held her hand to the light.
 | AS neatly as if 1t had been re- moved~sby a silver-smith, the precious stone had been Bitten from the Ring! ] Small hut Strong.