The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-09-12

But it's like this: was foolish enough, sir,
to show that diamond to my good woman,
seeing as she's a rare good judge of precious
stones, sir; and now nothing will do but
must buy it for her, if SO be it can be bought.
Which Is my only excuse for coming to
you ere at your 'otel, sir, with this offer,
STR"
"It's hardly worth while making your
offer, Bunsbury, returned the young Amer
lean, indiferently, as he took up his hat and
gloves, indicative of going out
"Ill give you eight hundred pounds for
it, sir, persisted his visitor. But Fultener,
who had played poker rather well, in the
days prior to his grand tour, only laughed.
"a thousand" said BuAsbury, promptly.
"But, my good man, Fultener protested,
drawing on glove; "while that is probably
an extraordinary price, you must remember
that am not in trade"
When Bunsbury offered twelve hundred,
the American paused with his left glove
half on. Although there was no change in
his outward seeming, he was wondering,
trepidantly, whether he dared refuse this
offer. Was the pawnbroker' limit reached?
What had the Regent Street jewellers bid for
the stone2 They could well afford to pay
two thousand pounds for it, and still be five
hundred pounds to the good.
"See here, my man." he said at length.
at have very important engagement this
morning, and I'm not disposed to waste
time in chafering. Since you seem so fiend-
ishly bent on securing this jewel, make me
an offer that would be worth my while, and
you can have it."
Bunsbury hesitated the shade Of
/ second.
"I'n give you fifteen hundred pounds,
sir," he volunteered, "and that more than
I can afford. But my good woman"
/ ats yours interrupted the young man,
and though his heart bounded, he still APP
peared stolidly impassive.
Five minutes later, fleet taxicab had set
him down before the Regent Street jewelry
shop.
81 find I shan't require that twin dia-
mond, after all, +" he announced to the dap
per clerk. 81 hope haven't put you to
any great trouble. You haven't found it,
I suppose?"
"No," the obsequious expert in gems
informed him; they had not yet sue
ceeded, though they had sent inquiries to
about every likely place, both in London
and Paris.
"I'I pay you, now, for the one bought"
said Fultener, producing one Of Bunsbury's
acknowledgement notes.
Later he secured two staterooms on the
AdriGtic, which was sailing on the morrow,
and still later, after luncheon in fact, with
Alice Davenant to assist him, he purchased
his delayed presents.
Now" he said to the girl, when this was
concluded, 81 have still one duty to per-
form. For three days I've been trying to
find chap to whom l owe something. I'll
find him tonight, or we'll postpone our
sailing"
THE fact that he called for Alice the next
morning, In ample time to catch the
boat train for Southampton, seemed reason
ably clear evidence that he had found the
"chap" and acquitted his Indebtedness
There was further confirmation in his high
spirits, which, despite painfully sprained
wrist and court-plastered abrasion of the
knuckles of his right hand, made him
almost juvenile.
He had fully expected his father to meet
him when the ship locked, more especially
as he had received no wireless greeting
but the old gentleman was not on the pier
His mother, he knew, was still at Newport,
and he didn't look for her. Alice's brother
was there, fine, hearty lad, with red
cheeks, and young Fultener put them into
taxicab together, and sent them off to the
convalescent mother in the Harlem fat
Then, feeling unaccountably crestfallen, he
took street car to Cedar Street, and walked
across to his fathers Office, in one of the big
buildings on lower Broadway.
The n1illionaire's keen eyes searched him,
for a moment, before he spoke
81 didn't expect you" he said at length,
am If his voice was not stern, it was scarcely
cordial.
81 cabled you, sir" :
"8ut heard since your cable"
Heard since?"
Yes" declared the father, and his tone,
nJw, held something of reproach. "Heard
everything; or, at any rate, more than
eeoug1 70 disappoint me-
L suddenly occurred to young Fultener
thai TIE Regent Street jewelers. had dis
covered 1is ruse, had been forced to buy
their Own diamond back from Bunsbury,
and had cabiea particulars to his father,
with demand that be make good their
loss. And he had expected his father to
applaud his cleverness.
II am sorry, sir" he said contritely,
r.