Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-08-15
OR THE
DIAr1OND In THE WORLD. X
SEAKeH FOR THE BIGGEST

When I took him up to his room to
dress for dinner, he asked me to open
the windows. and place him where he
might feel the air. He sat before the
open window; the setting sun was re.
f1ected upon his sightless eyes. be-
lieve he became unconscious Of my
presence, and I stood there watching
the play Of his features. His nostrils
dllated, his brows creased together,
his lips parted, showing his teeth
closely set, the whole expression of his
face indicating extreme dread; then
the muscles relaxed, for moment his
cadaverous checks were tinged with
color, the eyes closed, and the lips
tremblcd as If in ecstasy. Again his
lids rose, and the look of dread re-
turned to his face. He shrank back
in his chair, and blinked his eyes as
though struggling to give them light;
then suddenly he flung out his arms
wildly, and with smothered cry Of
impotent rage buried his face in his
hands, his long, thin fingers pressing
the throbblng veins which stood out
knotted and hard upon his temples.
what is the matter. old man" l
asked, putting my hand Oh his shoul.
der.
He started. ana answered impa-
tiently:
Nothing, nothing-a dream" And
then he asked savagely: "Who watches
you in the night?"
"This is not the night" l replied.
fancying he was yet but half awake.
isn't it?" he asked turning his eyes
from one side to the other; then
stretching out his hands, as if to
heaven. he cried: "Then what is the
nightY
Poor wretch, all was indeed night to
him. tried to engage him In convcr-
satlon, but he waved his hand impa-
tiently, and getting up, felt his way to
the washstand.
"Go down." he said; Miss Lascelles
is more pleasing to the eye than l am;
she must be beautiful, for her voice Is
music, her touch is like the petal OF
the rose. Where do you keep the dia-
mond-is 1t safe"
l told him that now kept it In a
belt buckled to my waist.
STRAP it to your wrist again; 1t Is
safer; and then bending his head aside.
he listened attentivcly for a moment
and continued in a lower voice: "Thcy
are talking together down there. Creep
down and listen. l tell you we are
not safe here-I see that through my
blindness. l have faculties in place
of that nave lost. Do you hear them
Come closer, Thorne; there is a con-
spiracy in this housc-a plot to rob us
of our treasure, and turn us beggars
again upon the street If l could trust
you I'd tell you more. But every one
is thief who has the power to steal
1t was not the first time had heard
him talk in this vein. At Natal on
the ship, he lad been in constant dread
of being robbed. I was glad to get
away from him. AS passed the head
of the stairs in going to my room, |
distinguished the sound-too distant
before to tell upon my dull ear-of Sir
Edmund's voice and the Judges; they
were in the library below. After dress
ing I Joined them, and found Sir Ed
mund greatly interested in Braces
description of gold mining in Califor-
nia-a subject upon which he could
be eloquent by the hour together.
On the 18th Sir Edmund, Miss Las
celles and rode over to Southampton.
Miss Lascelles was in her gayest, hap
piest mood and in her riding habit
looked more charming than ever.
In returning we met q friend of Sir
Edmund's; he accepted the invitation
to take lunch at the Abbey, and rode
beside the baronet, ahead of us. We
two took the hill so slowly that. COM
ing to the cross roads, we could not see
Sir Edmund and his friend. There
were two ways to the Abbey. After a
little deliberation. Miss Lascclles con-
sented to take the longer one.
The morning was superb; the woods
were glorious. The rich warm tints
of the reddening foliage were reflect
ed on my beautiful companions check;
her eyes seemed to catch the glitter of
the dew that still hung OH the gossa-
mers. l forget what we talked about.
but she was full of mirth, and now and
then the still woods rang with the mu-
sical cadence of her laugh. But sud
denly the smile died from her face,
and she said:
"We forget poor little Lola"
And then, as if the words had con-
jurcd up her presence. the girl APP
peared, swiftly speeding between the
red boles of the fir trees. We stopped,
and called:
lola, dear, come and speak to me-"
She stood still, and looked as if IT.
resolute whether or not to respond to
my appeal.
Il will stay here. Go to her." said
Miss Lascelles softly.
But, as if she had OWNED my inten.
ton, Lola shook her head mournfully
as she had done before, and going her
way, was presently hid by the tall
brake. AS we crossed the opening
where we had previously seen her,
looked back, and perceived her stand
ing in the same place gazing after us.
1t was easy to conceive her misery,