The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-05-23

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The Crossthwaites were old friends
OF mine, and amongst them 1 had no
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 a 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 a
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. 1
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 mar reached
me.
She had promised to marry Captain
Mainwaring, a 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 I 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 Crossthwaite's
town house in Fifth avenu and the
bridegroom arrived home from a long
tour in India just one week before the
wedding. He was a tall, ine-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.
ing's return from India I dined at the
Crossthwaite mansion, and after din.
ner was permitted to see the famous
gem. It reposed on a velvet bed un.
der a glass case which stood on a cen.
ter table in the o where the other
wedding presents were displayed. The
diamond presented a strange and al.
most startling appearances; it 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 it glittered on its
purple bed. In addition to the value
which its queer shape and unique ap'
pearance gave it, the stone itself was
of great intrinsic worth, as it weighed
over thirty carats.
THAT diamond has a history" said
Captain Mainwaring, coming up to my
side when he saw me examining the
stone. 1T is in reality one Of the
eyes of an Indian idol. 1t was given
to me by a rajah whose life l had
been instrumental in saving. When
he presented it to me he made q
strange request.
eft belongs to a tribe with whom
l and my people have had a lifelong
quarrel he said. 1T is, as a glance
will show you, the eye of a cobra-we
call it in Hindustani, Sanp Kee Ankh
which means the Snakes Eye. The
money value Of this stone is immense
but l run considerable danger by hav
ing it in my possession. The gem
shall be yours If you will take my
servant, Gopinath, as it's guardian.
do not wish to have your blood on my
head, and you would assuredly never
reach America in safety if Gopinatt
did not take care of the diamond fol
you. He is a Brahmin, an excellent
fellow. He will serve you day anG
night, and will protect the gem. Take
him with you to America. While he
is with you the diamond is safe.'
1T happened that I was in need O.
a servant at the time, and l accepted
the guardian with the gift. Gopinatt
has accompanied me to New York
and is so much attached to me and
the Snakes Eye that I do not think
we are likely to part for many a long
day"
How do you like the idea of a Brah
min bodyguard?" I asked, turning tt
Pamela, who came up at that moment
"Oh, you mean, Gopinath," she re
piled, with a laugh. II think he is de
lightful. Wait till I chow him t.
you"
She ran of, returning in a few mo
ments with the Brahmin, wearing {
gorgeous turban and deliberately at
tired in the rich colors Of his country
He gave a low salaam as the young
girl introduced him to me. His gilt
tering eyes turned from her face t.
mine; then I saw them light upon thu
stone itself with a peculiar expression
A moment later he had vanished. JUS
then a lady approached and engaged
Captain Mainwaring in conversation
At the same instant I saw a tall man
with a pale face and nervous expires
sion, come hastily forward. I knew
him at once-he was Pamela's formel