Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-08-08
OR THE
CHAPTER Ill.
sEAKen FOR THE BIGGEST

baronet heard of our long fast, he took
us at once into the dining room, and
had us served with the best he could
give. 1t was repast to recompense
us for our long privations, and for
time we famished wretches forgot our
treasure in the keen animal pleasure
of satisfying the craving Of hunger.
Sir Edmund sat at the table with us.
directing the servants, who surely had
never before waited upon such strange
company. One could see that 1t was
real delight to this large-hearted man
to see us eat and drink. Miss Las
celles herself waited upon Van Hoeck.
attending to his wants with feminine
tact and delicacy; his affiiction ap-
pealed to her womanly sympathy.
She was tall and graceful girl, with
her fathers fair complexion, bright,
mirthful eyes, that added to the hap
py expression of her face. and beauti-
full soft brown hair, that took golden
lights and chestnut shadows in its un-
dulation. Sh, looked you in the face
with fearlessness only possible to
those who are perfectly healthy and
perfectly honest. TO the charm OF
physical beauty was added faultless
manner-the complete self-command
and unfailing grace inseparable from
q lady of birth and education. She
was as courteous to us, who must have
seemed the veriest Outcasts of society.
as though we were her equal. A true
lady can never be ungracious.
Her presence he'd an indescribable
effect upon my senses-the effect of
fine music after discord. l was con-
scious of a return from savagery to
civilization. But it was not until my
gross appetite was satisfied that be-
came susceptible to the new delight
The baronet spoke not one word
about the diamond during dinner, but
when it was all over he said:
"Well, now we will go back to the
library; and you shall come with us,
Edith, if our cigars will not be disa-
greeable to you, for we have a marvel.
GUS matter to talk about"
In the library Miss Lascelles seated
herself beside her father, while we
three men sat facing them on the other
side of a small round table, on which
/ placed the diamond. At little dis
tance from us there was lion skin
on the floor, and on this the Kid threw
herself, and as she lay there looking
toward us, with her chin resting in the
palms of her hands and her elbows
planted in the fur, we saw scarcely
anything of her but her great lustrous
eyes. because of the shadow thrown by
the lamp shade.
"Now, let us understand the position
of things, to begin with" said Sir Ed
mund, taking a cigar, after handing
the box to us.
This will explain good DEAL" said
I, putting in his nand the copy of our
agreement.
He held it that his daughter might
read it with him, and having come to
the end, said:
"May I ask which is the Judge?'
That's me-" said Brace. with some
pride; "appinted by the Long Pike Wig.
ilance Committee in &C."
"You are an Americana"
Located as such for twenty years;
born in Cornwall
"And Jake Van Hoeck"
That's Israel" responded the Judge,
indicating Van Hoeck; 'and darkness
fell upon 'em," he added explanative-
ly.
During a short space Of his eventful
career Brace had earned precarious
existence as q travelling preacher.
"Then you are Bernard Thornc," the
baronet said to me, "and Lola is"
"The Kid" said Brace. Her moth.
er was a greaser-a Mexican" he ex-
planned to Miss Lascelles. The dinner
had warmed his spirits and loosened
his tongue, and he continued: I'VE
were drawed together at Cape Town
by an advertisement in the paper. Our
afflicted brother wanted to stake his
little pile upon mining venture. He
had studied the thing scientifically;
he had laid out a kinder chart in his
head, pricked down where the great
finds had been made. sOrter reasoned
out the cause thereof, end sot his mind
firm as big find was to be made in
a certain spot known only to himself.
We conversed, and he perceived with.
out much difficulty es he had found the
right sorter pardner in me, end he kind
er left it with me to find third parry
to jine in the venture. l spotted out
t,outloman Thornp here among n dOZ-
en-. | liked the shape of his chest and
shoulders; liked the look of his face;
see that though he was outer luck,
he was gentleman, every inch of him,
and l tell you, miss" he said, address.
Ing Miss Lascenes, that though |
amt no gentleman myself, back blood
an breedin' ag'in all creation. A man
like Gentleman ThOrne. who has been
KEEP clean in his infancy, fed whole.
come, trained up N a public school,
and been learnt to respect Limself and
God Almighty, has better temper, more
endurance, more pluck and fightin'
power to overcome and win than q
dozen of the muckers that bounce
about bein' wOrkin' men," He paused
q moment to let his words make due
impression, and then continued: Gen
tleman Thorne rad no experience, but
be had a hundred pound to put into
the concern. and that fetched Israel
Just as much as his looks fetched me.
Israel had three hundred. had moth.