Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-08-01

would tell us the way.
Well, there was nothing else to be
done; so we got the inspector to give
us more definite direction, and then
started off in search of the Abbey. The
Judge swinging along ahead ut good
four miles an hour, the Kid had to trot
to keep up with US, but gave her my
hand and she did not cOmplain-it was
not in her nature TO show suffering In
| the ordinary way.
1t must have been about 9 o'clock
! when we found the park entrance to
| Monken Abbey, and there we were
stopped by the lOdge-keeper, who re-
| fused to let us pass without permission
| from Sir Edmund, but when he heard
that we had been sent by the inspector
| of police at Southampton he sent his
wife up to tho house to know If the
| Baronet would see us,
We sat cn bank near the lodge gate
for close upon an hour before we
| learned our fate, for Sir Edmund was
at dinner when the message reached
the house, and the Servants did not
choose to deliver it until he had dineu.
A servant led us through the park to
the Abbey, and took us into beautiful
hall wainscoted with dark oak and
hung with antlers. old arms and other
suitable decorations. and here we
waited until Sir Edmund Lascelics
came to us. Our spirits rose at the
first glimpse of the handsome. rortly
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 he greeted
us.
WELL" he said, chcerfully, 'yon
have something to sell me. have you:
Yes" replied, IF you can buy it;
| It is a diamond"
"a diamond! All, that's n costly
kind of curiosity, but like them for
all that. Have you got 1t with you:'
YES" said l, and turning over my
hand l opened it, showing the leather
case strapped to my wrist, which con-
tanned the Great Hcspcr, as we called
our diamond The Baronct was thun-
lcrstruck by the prodigi0us size of the
stone for he could see that the leather
fitted it closely.
"Yon tell me that this is hinmonh"
he exclaimed, lifting the case as 1t lay
on my hand.
1--WE had it tested at Natal" said
Van HOcck. 1T is Il white diamond.
and if not of the first water, is certain
ly of the second. 1t weighs $40 car
ats"
rs it possible? Come with me; $50
carats" said Sir Edmund. in great cX-
citemcnt. Bring light 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 out the
Great Hesper and put it into Sir Ed
munds hand by which time reading
lamp had been brought ill.,
1T is true! 1t is true" said he. eX-
amining it under a powerful light. "A
wonderful stone "a perfect form - Il
prodigy! Come here, Edith look It
this"'
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 diamond. for it was dull and
gray, and looked like lump of glass
that had passed through the fire.
ut is an extraordinary size, is it not,
papa?" she asked.
"EXtraordinary indeed! The koh-i-
moor is not fourth of the size: See
| what the book says about that; get
down Haydn. my dear
Miss LascellcS fetched the book while
her father still examined the stone. as
presently read aloud
Its original weight was nearly 800
,arats, but 1t was reduced by the un-
skilfulness of the artist-BOrghesc,
Vonetlan-to 80 carats; its shape and
size resembled tie pointed half rose
| cut of a small hens egg; the value Is
scarcely computablc, though two mill
Ions sterling have been mentioned as 4
| justifiable price. If calculated by the
scale employed by the trade. This dia-
/ mond was recut in 1852, aud now
WEIGHS 1925 carats"
Good, good" cried the Baronet.
"With sklfuI cutting diamond Of
such Il form us this need not lose 100
carats. Heavensw he exclaimed, turn
ing to us, you have the greatest treas
ure in the world"
"Cive me your hand, Thorne; hold
me-" said Van Hoeck, in low voice
and speaking thickly.
turned quickly and caught him as
he recled forward, for he had tainted,
either from the want Of food, from In
tense excitement, or both.
J 10 be continued.
| waiting Unnecessary.
/ The novelist, Thomas A. Janvier, has
lived for a number of years in France,
and has collected many folk tales and
anecdotes of the French peasantry.
II heard a story of physician the
other day." Mr.. Janvier said recently.
HE was practicing IN village Of
Provence, and one morning, stopping
his gig. he entered into condescend-
ing talk with tho tombstone maker.
"While the talk went OH the tomb
stone man did not cease to work. He
had chisel In one hand and mallet
, in the other. He was carving upon the
, tomb the words, Sacred to the mem
DRY Of and the rest he would leave
blank.
This proceeding. for some reason,
amused the physician. Watching the
stonecutter, he laughed heartily.
"'Why.' said the other, do you
laugh"
! "'Because your way OF working
| i, ,l,,.ri1 cnid AnO