The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-03

NluuSNs
One diamond a meal" said Nikolai
blandly.
Sir Julius turned livid he clutched
at his neck where hung the chamois
bag suspended from the cord.
You don't get anything" he
shouted. That's a nice trick TO play
on a man. Because I've got a few pre-.
cious stones"
Il want nothing" said Nikolai.
Miss Boyd is the hostess here.
Diamonds are nothing but crystallized
carbon. AS you are aware, Sir julius
they have no intrinsic value apart
from their relation to other commodi
ties. In Maiden Lane or Kimberl,
they bring good prices; here they are
worth exactly one turtles egg for
the smaller ones and one turtles egg
and a drink of water for the finer
stones"
Sir Julius detached the bag and
picked out a tiny stone
Here! Give me turtles egg" he
snarled.
Nikolai picked out the smallest egg
and handed it to the millionaire with
a bow. While Sir julius deyoured it
greedily. Nikolai turned the diamond
over to Miss Boyd.
We have a new boarder," he said.
Please accept his meal ticket in ad-
vance"
Mary took the diamond with a
smile. When the millionaire had con-
cluded his meal he bought a drink
with another stone.
How many more have your" asked
Van Aam, laughing.
"Twenty-four," answered Sir Julius
with a snarl.
Three day." unused Van Aam,
and one for lodging-unless Sir Julius
prefers to sleep outside the campfire
among the raccoons. That will last
six days. Perhaps by that time we
shall find some manner of reaching
a more hospitable shore"
"Nikolai." said Van Aam, when the
millionaire had departed wrathfully
to pace up and down the sandy beach
and battle with his emotions, where
do you think we are? This Is not
one Of the Caymans. There Is no
scrap Of coral formation. We must
be north Of the coral limit-that
would mean in the latitude of the
Bahamas"
He ceased and sprang to his feet
suddenly. Come with me, Nikolai,"
he cried. Il want to speak to you.
Quick, before 1t grows dark. We have
some walking to do"
They did not return until after sun
set. Then they were both chuckling.
Miss Boyd and Mr.. Summers" said
Nikolai. excuse this mirth in the
presence of such danger. But really
We have a joke too exquisite to be
shared. How long will 1t take our
stout friend to dispose OF his
diamonds?"
six days." said Mary. smiling.
And you promise to keep them?"
Yes" said Mary, her face sudden
ly becoming serious. Yes, will. Do
you know he tried to push me out OF
the boat when they lowered it from
the deck?"
Mkolai clenched his fists. Its q
pity we can't leave him here to rot"
he huttered. But after all We have
SOM + sort of human duty toward him"
The worst of it is" said Van Aam.
"tbst we shall have to stay in this con-
for, ,ded place until he has passed
over his board"
lave you seen ship" | cried.
Van Aam and Nikolai looked at
one another and laughed
Well" said Van Aam, the secret
will keep six days, won't it?"
That night Sir julius paid out an
other diamond for his lodging. and his
raucous shores, Interpreted with
groans as he tossed from side to
side upon the stony ground, kept
most of us awake until the sun rose.
We exacted a tribute in advance
that day, and when Sir julius in last
attempt to save his gems offered to
work for his living, we sent him of
for turtles eggs. We watched him
wander off into the jungle and peer
into the trees; that effort was too
much for him, and thereafter he lay
at home in sullen silence while we
went off on our expeditions.
But not to gather turtles eggs. At
evening Van Aam and Nikolai disap-
peared. returning on the following
morning when the sun was well up
over the trees. They called to Mary
and myself to follow them, and, leav-
ing the millionaire sitting despairingly
beneath the thorn shrubs, We hast
ened to a tiny glade beside trickling
rivulet, where we found spread out up
on the grass a first-class banquet.
There was a ham, two loaves Of fresh
bread, a pound of butter, clean nap
kins, and, to crown all, bottle of
champagne.
Fall to, fall to- said Van Aam.
inviting us to the feast. when you
are satisfied the mystery shall be
explained"
Even our curiosity could not over
come our hunger. Two days diet OF
turtles eggs had sickened us Of that
staple food for all time. When. at
last. we laid our napkins aside we
rose and followed or companions
a narrow path in the jungle.
A mile ahead we emerged into a clear
ing, we heard the sound of the sea:
and all at once, rounding a promon.
tory, there appeared before our aston