Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-14

III MS WalStcOat pocket. waking
briskly, he traversed some part of the
sorrowful journey of barely twelve
hours earlier. What had happened to
change his mood he did not know and
scarcely troubled to inquire. Last
night he hurried through these streets
in frenZied quest for death. Now he
strobe along full of hope, joyous in the
confidence of life and youth. His one
dominant thought was that his mother
had protected him, had snatched him
from the dark gate Of eternity. Oddly
enough, he laid far more stress on his
escape from the meteor than on the
accident that prevented his contem-
plated suicide. This latter idea had
vanished with the madness that induc-
cd 1t. Philip was sane again, morally
and mentally. He was keenly anxious
to Justify his mothers trust in him.
The clustering wind, annoying to most
wayfarers, only aroused in him spirit
of resistance, of fortitude. He breast
ed 1t so manfully that when at last he
paused ut the door Of great jewelry
establishment In Ludgate Hill his face
was flushed and his manner eager and
animated.
He opened the door, but was rudely
brought back to sense of his sur
roundings by the suspicious question
of shopwalker:
Now, boy, what do you want hereY',
The unconscious stress in the mans
words was certainly borne out by the
contrast between Philip. social pariah
In attire, and the wealth of gold and
precious stones cut Off from him by
panes Of thick glass and iron bars.
What, indeed, did this outcast want
there?
Confused by the sudden demand and
no less by its complete obviousness
Philip flushed and stnmmered:
"I-er-only wished to obtain some
information, SIR" he answered.
Like all others, the shopman was
amazed by the difference between thu
boys manners and his appearance.
information" he repeated in his
surprise. What information can we
give you?'
The wealth of the firm oppressed
this man. He could only speak in nc
cents of adulation where the shop was
concerned
Philip produced his white pebble.
what Is thisY' he said.
The directness of the query again
took his hearer aback. Without a
word, he bent and examined the stone
Professional instinct mastered all 9th.
,er considerations.
"You must apply to that depart.
ment." He majestically waved his
hand toward side counter. Philip
obered silently and approached n
small, elderly parsonage, man with
clever, kindly eyes. who was submit
ting to microscopical examination n
number Of tiny stones spread out on n
chamois leather folding case. He
quietly removed the case when his
glance rested on the boy.
'Well?' he said blankly, wondering
why on earth the skilled shopwalker
had sent such a disreputable urchin to
him. Philip was now quite collected
in his wits. He held out the pebble,
with n more detailed statement.
81 found this" he said. II thought
that 1t might be valuable, and friend
advised me to bring 1t here. Will you
kindly tell me what II is?'
The man behind tile counter stared
at him for moment, but he reached
over for the stone. Without word he
placed 1t beneath the microscope and
gave it n very brief examination. Then
he pressed 1t against his cheek.
'Where did you get it," he asked.
II found 1t where 1t had fallen on the
pavement"
Are you sure?''
"Quite sure"
STRANGE" was the muttered com
ment, and Philip began to understand
that his meteor possessed attributes
hitherto unsupported.
"BN what is it," he inquired after g
pause.
"A meteorlc diamond"
"A meteorlc diamond?"
Eyes"
ais 1t worth lnuch?"
"a great deal. Probably some hun.
dreds Of pounds"
Philip felt his face growing pale
That dirty-whitc, small stone worth
hundreds Of pounds! Yet in his pocket
he had twcnty-nine other specimens
! many Of them much larger than the
one chosen haphazard for inspection.
and IN the back yard of his tenement
lay heaps Of them, scattered about the
pavement Ike hailstones after show
er, while tie meteor itself was n COM
pact mass OF them. He became some
what faint and leaned against the glass
case that surinountel the counter.
as TINT really true:" was all that he
could say.
The expert valuer OF diamonds smil-
ed. His first impulse was to send for
the police, but he knew that meteorlc
diamonds did fall to earth occasionally.
and he believed the boys story. More
over, the thing was such rarity and
Of such value that the holder must be
fully able to account for Its possession
before he could dispose of it. So ks
tone was not unkinhly as he replied:
1T is quite true, but II you want to
ascertain its exact value you should
go to Hatton Garden merchant. and
he. most probably, would make you n
fair offer. 1t has to be cut and polish
ed. YOU know, before it becomes sal
able, and l must warn you that most
rigid inquiry will be made rs to how
1t came into your hands,"
ut fell from heaven!' was the Who'll
ly unexpected answer, for Philip was
shaken and hardly master of his fac
ultics.
Eyes, yes, know Personally, be.
lieve you or you would be in custody
at this moment. Take 1t to Messrs.
1saacstcin Il Co.. Hatton Garden. Say
sent you Mr.. Wilson is my name.
and make your best terms with Mr..
lsaacstein. lie will treat you quite
fairly. But. again, be sure and tell tho
truth, rs lie will investigate your story
fully before he is satisfied as to III,
accuracy"
Philip walking through dreamland,
quilted the shop. He mingled with the
jostling crowd and drifted into Far
rington road.
III