The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-06-25


| the dish.
The aspect of the place amazed me.
1 began to regret that had set out
upon any such enterprise, but had no
time to draw back before the Russian
entered. He wore an out-at-elbow
velvet coat, and the rest of his dress
was shabby enough to suit his sur
roundings. / noticed, however, that
he offered me seat with a gesture
I that was superb. and that his manner
was less agitated than II had been
at our first meeting.
Il am glad to see you," he said. You
] have come to buy the opal7"
Under certain conditions, yes"
That is very good of you; but | am
offering you a great bargain. My price
for the stone now is $4,000, one thou
/ sand less than my wife offered 1t at
[ yesterday"
1T has lost more OF its color, Them"
Decidedly; or l should not have
lowered my claim-but see for your
self"
He took the stone from the wash
leather bag. and laid it upon the writ
Ing table. 1 started with amazement
and sorrow at the sight of 1t. The
glorious lights l had admired not 20
days ago were half gone; a dull, salty
red tinge was creeping over the SUI
perb green and the scintillating black
which had made me covet the jewel
with such longing. Yet 1t remained,
even In its comparative poverty, the
most remarkable gem have ever put
hand upon.
The stone is certainly going off"
said in answer to him. What guar
antee have l that it will not be worth
less In a months timer"
you have my word. It is a tradi-
ton of our family that he who owns
that heirloom when 1t begins to fade
must sell 1t or die-and sell 1t at its
worth. If continue to possess 1t, the
tradition must prove itself, for l shall
die of sheer starvation"
And II another has it?"
1T will regain its lights, have no
doubt Of 1t, for it has gone like this
before when q death has happened
amongst us. If you are content to
take my word, will return to you in
six months time and make good any
loss you have suffered by It, But 1
should want some money now, to-
night, before an hour-could you let
me have it?"
III l bought your stone, you could
have the money for It; my man, who
Is outside, would fetch my check
book"
At the word man." he went to the
window, and saw Abel standing be-
meath the gas lamp. He looked fixed
ly at the fellow for a moment, and
then drew down the blinds in de-
hberate way which 1 did not like at
all.
THAT ser-ant Of yours has been set
to watch this house for ten days." he
said. Was that by your order?"
was SO completely taken aback by
his discovery that 1 sat for moment
dumfounded, and gave him no an
swer. He. however seemed trembling
with passion.
Was 1t by your orders?" he asked
again, standing over me and almost
kissing out his words.
ut was" 1 answered after q pause;
but, you see, circumstances were sus-
l picious."
Suspicious! Then you did believe
me to be a rogue. I have shot men
s. for less"
I 1 attempted to explain, but he
would not hear me. He had lost COM
mand Of himself. stalking up and
down the room with great strides un-
I'll the temper tautened his veins. and
MS lean hands seemed nothing but
wire and bones. At last, he took a
revolver from the drawer in his table.
ana deliberately put cartridges into
IT. l stood up at the sight of II and
made step towards the window; but
ne pointed the pistol straight at me,
saying:
sit down, If you wish to live an
other minute-and say, do you still
believe me to be a swindler?"
The situation was so dangerous, for
tho man was obviously but half sane,
that l do not know what l said in an
swer to him; yet he pursued my words
Hereby, scarce hearing my reply be-
fore he continued
You have had my house watched,
and, as l know now, you have brand
ed my name before the police as that
or a criminal; you shall make atone
ment here on the spot by buying the
opal, or you do not leave the room
RliVe!"
1t was a desperate trial, and ! sat
Tor some minutes as a man on the
borderland of death. Had been
sensible then and fenced with him In
his words / should now possess the
opal; but l let out the whole of my
thoughts-and the jewel went with
them.
Il cannot buy your stone" said,
until l have your history and your
tather'sO But / said no more, for
at the mention of his father he cried
out like a wounded beast, and fred
the revolver straight at my head The
shot skinned my forehead and the
powder behind It blackened my face:
but ! had no other injury, and
sprang upon him.
For some moments the struggle was
appalling. had him gripped about
the waist with my left arm, my right
/ clutching the hand wherein he held
the pistol. He, In turn, put his left
hand upon my throat and threw his
/ right leg around mine with a sinewy
] q