The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-08-15


greater favorite than pretty Pamela
She was an exceptionally beautiful
girl. and when first grown up had
gone through much trouble owing TO
an unfortunate love affair. A certain
Laurence Carroll had conceived q des-
perate passion for her and she for
him. Carroll came Of a good family.
but prior to his acquaintance with
Pamela he had gained for himself the
reputation Of being mixed up with
rather fast set. Although there was
nothing against Carroll, save one or
two boyish adventures that had some
how crept into print, Mr. Crossthwaite
frowned upon his suit and forbade him
the house Pamela bowed to her Ia
theirs decree, but broke down and
had a severe illness. In the course
of a year, however, she recovered her
health, and to outward appearances at
least her usual cheerful spirits. l
had been consulted at the time of her
illness, and was therefore sincerely
glad when the news of Pamela's en-
gagement to the right man reached
me.
She had promised to marry Captain
Mainwaring, well-known traveller and
veteran soldier who had served
through a couple of Indian campaigns
in Uncle Sans army. He had money
in plenty and a character without a
flaw. He was also twenty years older
than his prospective bride, but that
fact mattered nothing In the eyes OF
her parents. At Pamela's earnest re-
quest | had promised faithfully to at
tend her wedding. She was to be
married with much ceremony early in
February, 1896. The wedding was to
take place from the CrOssthwaites
town house in Fifth avenue, and the
bridegroom arrived home from a long
tour in India just one week before the
wedding. He was a tall, f1ne-looking,
soldierly man, and brought from the
far east for his brides acceptance a
diamond Of extraordinary size and
brilliancy
The night after Captain Mainwar-
ings return from India | dined at the
CrOssthwaite mansion and after din
ner was permitted to see the famous
gem. 1t repOsed on a velvet bed I'M
der a glass case which stood on a cen
ter table in the room where the other
wedding presents were displayed. The
diamond presented a strange and al
most startling appearance; 1t was cut
In the shape Of a cobra's eye, with
some scintillating rays in the center,
which not inaptly represented the pu-
Pill. 1t was set In a thin gold locket,
and looked like an eye Of evil and
weird import as 1t glittered on its
purple bed. In addition to the value
which its queer shape and unique ap-
pearance gave 1t, the stone itself was
of great intrinsic worth, as 1t weighed
over thirty carats.
THAT diamond has a history" said
Captain Mainwaring. coming up to my
side when he saw me examining the
stone. ut is In reality one of the
eyes Of an Indian idol It was given
to me by a rajah whose life I had
been instrumental In saving. When
he presented 1t to me he made 6
strange request.
"Tt belongs to q tribe with whom
and my people have had a lifelong
QUARREL he said. 1T is, as q glance
will show you, the eye of a cobra-we
call 1t in Hindustani, Sanp Kee Ankh
which means the Snakes Eye. The
money value Of this stone is immense
but run considerable danger by hav
ing 1t In my possession. The gen
shall be yours IL you will take m,
servant, Gopinath. as its guardian.
do not wish to have your blood on m!
head, and you would assuredly neve
reach America In safety If Gopinatl
did not take care of the diamond To-
you. He is a Brahmin, an excellen
fellow. He will serve you day an,
night, and will protect the gem. TAX
him with you to America. While b.
is with you the diamond is SAFE
cit happened that I was in need o
a servant at the time. and accepte
the guardian with the gift. Gopinatl
has accompanied me to New York
and is so much attached to me an
the Snakes Eye that do not thin
we are likely to part for many q lon
day"
How do you like the idea of Bral
min bodyguardf" I asked. turning {
Pamela, who came up at that momen
ooh. you mean. Gopinath." she r,
piled, with q laugh. 81 think he Is d.
Ightful Wait till I chow him I
you"
She ran Of. returning In a few M
ments with the Brahmin, wearing
gorgeous turban and deliberately a
tired In the rich colors Of his countr
He gave a low salaam as the youn
girl introduced him to me. His gil
tering eyes turned from her face
mine; then I saw them light upon Il
stone itself with peculiar expressio
A moment later he had vanished. Ju
then q lady approached and engage
Captain Mainwaring in conversatio
At the same instant saw tall ma