Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-10-01
CHApTER xIv


ting beside Mrs. Fenton's couch, looked
up eagerly as Mr.. Fenton took the brooch
to the nearest lamp, the better 70 exam
inc it. She flushed with pleasure as,
after close scrutiny, the old gentleman
declared it TO be very good and yalua-
BILE ruby.
Probably it belonged originally to
royal collection" he said. returning 1t TO
Moyra. when you wear that, Miss
Moyra, you can reflect that you have the
eMivalent 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.
'fThen | think Angus got the better Of
some dealer OF curio seller, for he is by
no means a millionaire" he said lightly.
perhaps il was sold to him by some
one ignorant of its value"
more likely by some one who knew
be had no right to it, and was anxious
to get it safely out Of his hands, Mr..
Fenton replied.
How do you know that Angus bought
It at all?" Ailcen' suggested, and Moyra
sldSLcu d 5EGAELul Hldute HtI. II uuay
have been one of his mothers jewels.
Probably. knowing Moyra, he was afraid
she would not accept it if she knew its
real value"
Then Billy. who was longing to play
some round game by which Prof. Lewis
son could be dislodged fron Aliens side,
suggested that his father should display
some Of his treasures, diaTond 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
many and divers shaped cases.
Every one clustered round, and, pleased
With their interest, Mr.. Fenton unlocked
elch case one by one. and displayed the
exquisitely set stones that were IN them
Some Of the gems he had bought uncut
and had had set according to his own
ideas. but the greater number were his
toric. lie showed them a necklace that
had once clasped the fair throat of i'll
fated 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, told Billy to warm some of the
necklaces and let her wear them. Blushing
and laughing, and highly pleased, Bride
submitted to be dressed up. There was a
tiara in her hair, and a diamond lizard
crawled acrosss the knot of rudy gold,
there were diamonds on her smooth,
rounded 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 :" she exclaimed.
"But l should be afraid to move. Used
you to wear them. Mrs. Felton,"
"a few, now and again." said the
sweetfaced invalid. looking up at her
smilingly. You are quite diamond
queen, Bride -
do you know, | think diamonds such
cruel stones" Aleen said They look
so cold and hard"
"They do not suit Miss Bride at ALL"
remarked the Professor. @They are cold
stones, 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-
monds"
'Then I'm very sorry can't propose
10 you, Bride" Billy said, helping the
girl to take of 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
l don't agree with you. | think some
people are admirably fitted to wear dia-
monds. How imperial mamma used to
look in her tiara and necklace And all
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 shonld look so confused and
Alleen stammer out an irrelevant reply.
But Mrs. Fenton's quick, expressive
glance went inquiringly from one face to
the other.
Nov. 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 l don't do that to every
one. In fact. mamma and myself are
the only ones who do know the hiding
place in this house. | think Billy knew
II at Ljttenlsuds."
The two went off together. and Billy
proposed that they should all play map"
The Rector. Prof. Lewiston aud Mrs
Fenton were the only ones who did not
join in the game, and when Bride re-
turned, flushed and smiling with the inn
portHEce of her secret, she sat very con
tentedly beside Mrs. Fenton. where they
were joined by the professor. while the
other two talked politics.
The card party was a very noisy one
and in short time Aileen, who was not
very interested, was hopeleSsly beaten.
and drew out of the game. A few min
utes later Billy had also lost all his
counters aud Joined her. She was in g
very gracious humor that evening snd.
having devoted all dinner time and an
hour afterwards TO higher culture, as
Terry designated conversation with Lew
isson. she considered she might unbend
for Billys edi6cation. So they discuss
ed pant0mimeS at Caterham-not in re
iation with those of ancient Greece
and the merits OF various burlesque ac-
treSSes and became very friendly aud al
most confidential under cover Of the hub
buh of the card table.
How solemn Bride looks" Aileen said
suddenly. Il wonder how much of his
conversation she understands"
He adluireS her tremendously,
think" Billy remarked.
Aileen looked at him in amusement.
He spoke Of her 10 me after dinner.
and seemed greatly taken with her. He
said her lOvelineSs was incredible. and
she was so innoceutly unconscious that
she was anything oat of the common
"Of course he sdmires her looks. =
Allen began.
But Blify continued equally:
'He also said it vas such a relief 10
meet girl who was absolutely without
self-consciouSneSs. who did not think she