The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-09-27
ODE King Of Diamonds

| you? OF course, you have not sought
this interview and told me your story
SO unreservedly without an Interior OBJ
| ject in view? You see, am beginning
| to understand you already little bet
| ter than when We first met
Philip did not reply Immediately. He
did not want to risk a refusal. and he
was not yet quite sure that the magls-
trate fully comprehended the extent OF
the fortune which had been showered
on him from natures own mint
when Mr.. Isaacstein returns from
Amsterdam he will pay me stomething
| like forty thousand pounds" he said.
Yes. 1t would seem so from the re-
ceipt you have shown me-"
THAT will be determined on We'd
nesday next at the latest" /.
YES"
IF the money is forthcoming 1t will
be proof positive that my diamonds
are of good quality, and, as l picked
up these dirty stones quite promis-
cuously it follows that the others are
of the same Standard"
Undoubtedly"
'Wen. Mr.. Abingdon, can form no
estimate of their collective value, but
they must be worth many millions.
According to Mr.. Isaacstein's views, |
will be able to command q revenue Of
between a quarter and half a million
sterling per annum."
TT is marvellous. perfectly appalling
in some senses" cried the perturbed
lawyer throwing up his hands In the
extremity of his amazement
| You are right, sir. I am only boy.
and the thing is beyond my powers. /
can see quite clearly that while ought
| to be at college obtaining a proper edu-
cation. 1 will be worrying about the
care of great sums Of money 1 do
not know anything about investments.
How should I? Isaacstein Is a Jew.
and he will probably endeaver very
soon to get the better of me in the
necessary business transactions. How
can 1 stop MIN? i have no older rela-
tives, no friends whom can trust.
For some reason, I do feel that I can
have faith in you. Will you take
charge of my affairs, advise me dur
| ing the next few years, tell me how
| to act as my mother would have told
me-in a word. become my GUARDIAN"
For little while Mr.. Abingdon was
silent. When words came he could only
| gasp:
You certainly are the most extraor-
binary boy I have ever encountered"
Then Philipslaughed merrily.
II don't think, sir. that am so much
an extraordinary boy as a boy who has
been pitchforked into an extraordinary
position. / hope most sincerely that
you will do what I ask. If I may say
so without presumption, II will be
good thing fer you. 1 suppose a man
who looks after millions of money is
entitled to a vastly bigger income than
one who sits hours in a police court
dealing with offenses against the law"
'Such has certainly been my ex.
perience," said the magistrate, who
appreciated the nice manner in which
Philip limited at good, fat salary for
! controlling the estate of the King of
! Diamonds.
Then you agree" cried Philip joy
ously.
mot so fast, my youthful friend.
Even 4 police magistrate must bow to
his wife. Mrs. Abingdon would never
forgive me If 1 took such an import
ant step without consulting her. Will
you remain to dinner?"
Then Philip knew that he had gained
his point. Nothing was said before the
servants. but when they were cozily
ensconced in the library before
| pleasant fire, he was asked to relate
again his enhancing history for Ms.
Abingdon's benefit.
That good lady was overwhelmed
She, like everybody else. had read the
newspapers, and, of course, had the
additional benefit of her husbands
views on the subject of the unkempt
boy with his small parcel of valuable
gems.
But the presence of Philip under
their roof, the glamour ST the tale as it
| fell from his lips. cast spell over her.
She was a kindly soul. too. and tears
gathered in her eyes at some portions
of The recital.
What a pity It is that your mother
died." she murmured. when he had
ended
| The words endeared her to Philip in
stantly. A worldly, grasping woman
would have thought of nothing save
the vista of wealth opened up for her
husband and herself. Not so Mrs
Abingdon. If anything, she was some
what afraid of the responsibilities pro-
posed to be undertaken by her spouse,
to whom she was devoted.
The magistrate did not promise def
nitely that night to accept the posi-
ton offered him. He would think over
the matter. He could retire on a PEN
sion at any time. This he would now
do without delay. and Philip could GER
| tainly count on his friendship and ad-
vice, while his house would always be
| open to him.
Meanwhile. he would give one word
of advice-intrust no human being
with the power to sign any binding
document without his-Philip's con-
sent. Then It would be difficult for
any one to deal unscrupulously with
him.
The boy went away at late hour
He left behind him an exceedingly per-
picked couple, but he felt that when
Mr.. Abingdon had time to assimilate
the facts, and realize the great scope
of the work before him, there was lit
tie doubt he would gladly associate
himself with 1t.
At the hotel a telegram awaited him:
Have realized for fifty-two thou
sand. Returning Monday.
'ISAACSTEIN."
Here was the final proof. If proof
were wanting. Philip was a million
aire many times over.
| CHAPTER XIII
| AFTER LONG YEARS.