The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-12-28
CHAPTER XIV.

They were all in the drawing room, the
gentlemen having just come up, and coffee
had been brought in. Bride, who was sit
ting beside Mrs. Fenton's couch, looked
up eagerly as Mr.. Fenton took the brooch
TO the nearest lamp, the better to exam
Inc il. She flushed with pleasure as,
after close scrutiny, the old gentleman
declared 1t to be a very good and valua-
BILE ruby.
Probably it belonged originally to a
Moyra. when you wear that, Miss
Moyra, you can reflect that you have the
equivalent of eight or nine hundred
pounds at your throat"
Moyra turned very pale; her eyes
sought her fathers, for the others had
been attracted round her. The Rector
laughed.
-1Ihen J think Angus got the better of
come dealer or curio seller, for he is by
no means millionaire he said lightly.
perhaps it was sold to him by some
one ignorant of itl ,alue."
~More likely by me one who knew
he had no right TO it, and was anxious
fo get it safely out Of his hands," Mr..
Eenton replied.
t'How do you know that Angus bought
a. at alp Aileen suggested, and Moyra
tsashed grateful glance at her. 1T may
have been one of his mothers jewels.
Probably, knowing Moyra, he was afraid
she would not accept it if she knew its
zeal value"
Then Billy, who was longing to play
zome round game by which Prof. Lewis
son could be dislodged from Ailecn's side,
suggested that his father should display
some of his treasures, diamond collecting
being his special hobby. The idea was
eagerly seconded, and. laughing indul-
gently, Mr.. Fenton departed, to return
with large wooden tray, on which were
nzany and divers shaped cases.
Every one clustered round, and, pleased
with their interest, Mr.. Fenton unlocked
each case one by one, and displayed the
exquisitely set stones that were in them.
Some Of the gems he had bought uncut
,nnd had had set according to his own
ideas, but the greater number were his
t0ric. He showed them n necklace that
had once clasped the fair throat of ill
Gated Marie Antoinette.
The touch of petulance that had been
On Brides face vanished as she inspected
the diamonds, admiring them with the
open pleasure OF child, and, seeing her
admiration, Mr.. Fenton, whose favorite
she was, tod Billy to warm some of the
necklaces and let her wear them. Blnshing
and laughing, and highly pleased, Bride
submitted to be dressed up. There was
tiara In her hair, and diamond lizard
III 4bo 90
there were diamonds on her smooth,
eounded white arms, diamonds covered the
front of her white gown and whittier
shoulders, ropes Of diamonds hung round
her neck, flashed on her fingers, and out
,shone the radiance of hereyes. She looked
at herself with the naive simplicity of a
child.
How lovely they look !" sic exclaimed,
but should be afraid to move. Used
you to wear them, Mrs. Felton,"
4 "A few, now and again." said the
sweetfaced invalid, looking UP at her
You are quite diamond
queen. Bride =
> ADO you know, l think diamonds such
cruel stones" Aileen, said. They look
40 cold and hard"
-'They do not suit Miss Bride at ALL"
remarked the Professor. 'rrhey are cold
sfones, and they are not in keeping with
her face or expression"
'They look incongruous in some way"
Aileen said. bride has too much of the
baby kitten in her face to wear dia-
unonds"
Then I'm very sorry I can't propose
10 you. Bride" Billy said, helping the |
girl to take off the glittering burden. BE
cause, you see. shall have to find wife |
who will suit the diamonds"
docs that mean that she is to be
cold and cruel?' his father asked, chuck
ling as Bride protested that she did not |
want Billy in any circumstances. "Now
I don't agree with you. think some |
people are admirably fitted to wear dia-
monds. How imperia, mamma used to |
look Ia her tiara and necklace! And al |
though you. Miss Aileen, abuse my favor |
tie gems, / think you would look very
well in them"
lie had no idea on what delicate ground
he was treading, nor did he understand |
why Billy should look so confused and |
Aiieen stammer out an irrelevant reply. |
But Mrs. Ferdon's quick, expressive |
glance went inquiringly from one face to
fhe other.
Now, Miss Bride, as you admire the
diamonds the most" the old gentleman |
said, as each case was restored to the |
tray, Il will show you where and how ! |
keep them. and don't do that to every
one. In fact, mamma and myself are
9he only ones who do know the hiding |
place in this house, think Billy knew
It at Litteniands."
The two went OF together, and Billy |
proposed that they should all play map
THE Rector. Prof Lewiston and Mrs