DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 80

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

(Written for the Witness by Lit,y Gheex.)

Old CareAr was a miser. If, struck by the curious figuie he presented, Avith his patched coat and shabby boots, as he slouched along, you had questioned one of the lads always knocking about as to the old man's identity, you would have received the reply, "Oh, him?" jerking his thumb in the direction the old man had taken. "He's old Josh, the money-lender." Had you followed old Carew to his home you would have found that his residence was a gloomy, unpainted, two storeyed house, looking not unlike a prison, with its narroAv, heavily-barred windows. Had you been able to go through the office — a dirty front room devoted, to the receiving of old Carew's clients — and enter the house, you would have found that it was as dreary and dismal-looking inside as out. The house was presided over by his mother, ; an aged, wrinkled, grey-headed old woman. : .The establishment Avas conducted on the most economical system — the economy often Jjordering on parsimony — for old Josh Avas very stingy, and would have walked a mile in Avet weather sooner than take the tram for a penny. Some idea of his meanness may be gathered from the following conversation Avith his mother. Some household arrangement not suiting his ideas, he had reproached his mother Avith extravagance. "Well," said the old lady, with a smile, | for she kneAv what the answer Avould be, "why don't you get married?"' "Married?" repeated her son, looking at her as if undecided whether she had taken leave of her senses or not. "What do I want to get married for? To make more expenses? If I get married there's settlements to make and marriage fees to pay. Then in a feA\ years there'll be a family to support. Then comes sickness, Avith doctors to pay. No, I shall never get married." Therf was surely never a meaner, more heartless man than old Josh CareAV, as those tradespeople who were under obligations to him could testify. Well might they dread the coming month when the /time of then loan expired, for they kneAv that it was of as much avail to appeal to liim for, a month's respite as to a block of stone. The moment the time Avas up, oldCarew Avould exhibit his mortgages, and accordingly take possession. Thus, at the time at which our story opens, fully half the town belonged to him. He was sitting in his "office"' one day, looking over some papers, when a gentleman came in — a gentleman from his high top hat down to nis neatly-clad feet. Josh put away his papers, aud 3 offering him a chair*- requested to know his business. Declining to sit down, the gentleman remarked : "I wish to borrow one hundred pounds. 'You lend money at interest, do you not?" - "On good security,' replied the moneylender. With a smile, the gentleman took from ; liis pocket a beautiful diamond necklace, iwith bracelets and earrings to match. The miser's eyes glistened when he saw these valuable jewels, for never had any so costly been brought to him before. "I will lend you two hundred pounds on these," he remarked, laying them doAvn on the table. It must not be supposed that it ,was from any generous motive that he made this offer. He had tAvo reasons for doing it — namely, it made more interest, and, although the gentleman might be able to raise one hundred pounds in time to redeem the jewels, he might not be able to raise two hundred, in which case he (CareAv) would be the possessor of them. "No. A hundred pounds Avill be enough. ■I only want it till next week. I shall give you ten pounds interest for the loan of it. That will do," casting his eye over the bill that Carew had drawn up. "Goodinorning." "Good-morning." responded the moneylender, being engaged in the contemplation of the jewelry. Being at last convinced that it was genuine, he put it into his iron safe. A week later, to Carew's disappointment, the gentleman brought the money, and took his jeAvelry aAvay with him. A month later lie came again, this time for two hundred and fifty pounds. For his security h& brought a more magnificent and costly set than the last one. Three weeks later .he came again to redeem it. As he was going out he observed : "Oh, by-the-bye, I've got some sort of beads here. Do you think they're any good?" pulling from his pocket a rev? strings of pearls as he spoke. "Yes, they are very valuable," returned CareAV, caressing the pearls. "I thought they might be worth a bit, responded the stranger. Then, seeing Carew looking surprised at any one owning them, and only "thinking" they might be Avorth a bit, he continued, "I suppose that you arc wondering how these jewels came into my possession without me knowing their value? I shall tell you. You knoAV Lord Carlton, up at the hall? Well," he continued, after Carew had replied in the affirmative, "I'm his steward. One day, when I was going over the plans of the estate, I came across one of an underground room. This room was situated under — well, I Avon't tell where. Knowing that his lordship Avas unaware of there being Buch a room, I determined to go under the cottage There," with an air of vexation, "I've let the cat out of the bag. Well, I Avent down and found the room filled with jewels and heirlooms of every kind." Seeing CareAv's look of incredulity, be continued, "If you like I'll take you to Bee for yourself." Carew assenting, he udded, "Well, to-morrow evening at 7 o'clock, I shall call for you." All the next day Carew was in a state of excitement, and Avas so snappy that his mother feared he was going mad. At 7 o'clock, punctual to the minute, Mr the steward, appeared. Five minutes later they were on their Avay. In about JO minutes, th*f h*wim l»y this time kit

the town behind them. Mr Arden proposed to blindfold Carew. To this the latter objected, looking round the deserted forest as if he feared that some attack might be made upon him. Being assured that unless he consented to be blindfolded, he could not see this underground room, he at last submitted. After another five minutes' walking, Carew felt that they were descending | si-me steps. "One, two. tw entynine, thirty," and they weie at the bottom. Ushering Carew into a room, Arden removed the bandage, leaving the former free ■to look about him. And what a sighi that j loom was! As Arden had said, it Avas ! full of costly heirlooms. Costly silver and gold figures stood under glass shades. Richly- worked banners hung upon the walls. Jewels worth a king's ransom were carelessly scattered on a curiously-caived table. Before Carew had seen Lalf of the hidden treasure Mr Arden told him that they would have to go, as, having an important engagement, his time was somewhat limited. With visible reluctance Carew allow ed himself to be re-blindfolded and led away, ascending the 30 steps that he had previously counted. Another five minutes and they were out in the open air, for Carew could feel the fresh breeze blow against his ! face. *B.ut he was not thinking of this, for his thoughts were in the underground room I that he had lately quitted, so that he was I surprised when the steward broke in upon i his reverie with, "I must untie your bandage | now, for lamin a hurry. There," having i done this, "1 must go away now, and leave you to find your way home, which I piesume you will be able to do.'' Without another word he struc's into a side path and was soon lost to sight be- ' hind a clump of trees. Far from evincing indignation at his guide's unceremonious departure, Carew seemed not to notice his absence — all his faculties being concentrated on the one pomt — that of finding out where he now stood, and calculating from that where the hidden treasure trove was situated. The first point was speedily solved, for at the first glance he knew himself to be on the outskirts of Lord Cailton's esr. «.e. Far around him, indeed, as far as the eye could reach, stretched the fail lands of Lord Carlton. But Carew was not envying him the possession of those thousand's of acres now, for though he had many times longed to be the owner of them, never had he felt so eager to possess anything as he now Aras to possess that small cottage about fifty yards to his rear. I\o one, to look at it, could "have told what there Avas about it to attract , or, to use the exact word, fascinate Carew. as it evidently seemed to do. Nor would Carew himself, j had it not been for the accidental remark \ pbout the cottage made by the steward the j evening before, have connected Ihe under- j giound room Avith it. As it was, howe\-er, j he instantly leaped to the conclusion that j the hidden treasure was located .mmcdl- ! ately under the cottage ; one l in the same instant a plan for obtaining possession of those millions flashed into his iniud. We j must now leave him fostering that plan, i aud go back to Mr Arden, the steward. \ After leaving Carew, he struck into a by- j path, which, to judge by the narrow, grass- | grown track, Avas but little frequented. ] FolloAving this for about 10 minutes, he : came presently to a brick wall, into which I a small gate 'had been let. Taking a key j from his pocket, he opened the gate, ami j was soon traversing the smooth lawn- that ' led up to the terrace. Another moment, j and he had crossed the terrace, and stepped | into the library, for sucb it evidently Avas. j They say that the character and disposition of a person may be surmised from the j tone of his books and surroundings ; ;f; f so, I Lord Carlton must have been both studious and grave-minded, for all the books were those of knowledge, novels and lighter literature being conspicuous by their absence. But we must noAV direct our attention to the owner of this room, Lord Carlton. He was a man about 37 years of age, although he might have been taken for 10 years more. His eyes seemed to be in contradiction to his whole face ; for they were literally laughing eyes. No matter how grave and set his face might be, or how stern and sarcastic his voice, his eyes always had a merrj twinkle" in them, which not a few times had exasperated those whom he addressed, who often ,Avere uncertain whether he was in earnest or not. 'Well, Arden, how is it going on?" he inquired, looking up from his letter, for his lordship would not deign to have a secretary. ''First-rate," replied the steAvard. crossing the room to the fireplace, and holding his hands out to the cheerful blaze. No more was said, Lord Carlton going on with his letter, and the steward proceeding to read a thick volume, which he took from one of the bookshelves Avhich lined the room from ceiling to the floor. Presently a servant entered, and said that a person Avished to see his lordship. He hesitated over the word person, but being unable to reconcile himself to say gentleman, got out with it at last. The Viscount darted a quick look at his steward, and then asked for the name. "I asked him for his card, but he said that he had not brought them with him — hadn't got any, I suppose (sotto voce) — but told me, in case you asked for his name, to tell you that Air Joseph CareAv Arished to see you." His lordship's eyes twinkled, and again he darted a quick look at Arden, as he observed, "Show the gentleman in, James." The servant left the room, returning in a moment with old Carew. CareAv seemed disconcerted at the sight of Arden, and Avas not a little relieved when the latter rose and left the room. Lord Carlton invited his visitor to be seated, Avhich Josh 3A\kAvardly declined to do. Then, seeing that his lordship was waiting for him to commence, he broke out, "I was wanting to know hoAV much you Avanted for that Ivy cottage?" Lord Carlton looked at the moneylender in amazement, then inquired, "Are you not labouring under a misapprehension, Mr CareAV, in supposing that I Avish to sell Ivy Cottage? — for, to my knoAvledge, I have never expressed any intention of doing so. ' Then, seeing that CareAV looked ill at ease, he continued, "Might I ask for what reason you wish W Jiui-cka&e la-j Cotta£©>' J

"I was wishing to purchase the site upon which the Ivy Cottage is built in order to build a hospital upon it, which I intended to donate to the town,' was the ready reply. Lord Cm It on looked at the charitable moneylender in mild surprise, and then iuquned, "But suiely, Mi Carew, it ought not to be necessary for you, owner of half of the town, to piu chase a site of building land trom me?" """I thought that the Ivy Cottage ground. In "'g slightly slop-ng, would be bettor for my purpo>c," replied the usurer. Lose! Cailton's eyes twinkled, as lie obsened. "Well, Mr Carew, as it is for such a worthy object. I have deteimined to sell it to you. But." pausing a moment, "the price may be more than you will care to pay." "How nuieh will it be?" inteirupted Cnrew, eageily. "As it is the first time that part of my estate has been sold — four hundred thousand pound* "' "Four hundred thousand poimds !" echoed Cttrew in dismay. Never -once, in all his ca^ulations, had the contingency of the vi;- count asking more than one or, at the utmost, two hundred pounds occurred to him. Four hundred "thousand pounds! Why. if he paid that exorbitant price he WLiild nnt have ten pounds left to his name! But even as he thought this a vision of the hidden treasure occurred to him, so that w hen lie asked if that was the lowest price, he determined, even if it was, to pay it down as soon as possible, and accordingly take possession of the cottage. Two hours after everything was finished. The money had been paid over, most of it in deeds and mortgages, and now Caiew was hastening to his dearly -bought property, impatient to again feast his eyes on the' hidden treasure, which was now his! He opened he door, passed in, and after locking it, knelt down on the floor an. l proceeded to lift its planks, expecting to peiceive the 50 steps that led to the underground room. ' I wonder w hat he w ill do when he find*. it out?" Laid Carlton looked at his steward, who was standing at the table looking at the deeds which Carew had just left there. "It is impossible to tell what he will do. M<i»l likely he will come here in a rage, saving that you cheated him." lemaiked i>lr Aiden. "Cheated him !" repeated his lordship, })]* eyes fairly 'dancing Aiith merriment, "How* could lie say that? Was it not a fair bargain? I named my price, and he paid it. of his own accoid. But,'" becoming suddenly grave, "I know what you mean. I sincerely hope thot he will do nothing rash wl.en he discovers that the underground loom is not situated under, or even near, the Ivy Cottage."' Before he could say more, a seivant entered the room. '"The Ivy Cottage is on fire, my lord," lie observed, wiLh all the coolness of a v. ell-trained footman on important occasions. "On fire? Then Carew may be inside it.' flashed tin ough both steward's and master's mind at the same instant ; and, in- j volxintarily, both started to their feet, ' and a minute later wore hastening, in comp :ny with some of the seivants, towards the burning cottage. Leaving them h istening along, anxious to rescue the old man, had he not aheady lett the cottage, we muse go b.uk and relate how the fire occurred. When Carew , after passing inside, locked the door, he put, as he thought, the key into his pocket. This, however, was not the case. In his hurry to light the candle he failed to perceive that the key had fallen on the floor, among some handfuls of straw that littered the whole place, for the cottage had been untenanted for some time, and had been left in this state by the last tenant. There being no mantelpiece near, Josh unthinkingly put the candle on a heap of straw. As he lifted up the first plank his elbow accidentally touched the candlestick, and it tumbled over amongst the straw. The result can be surmised, although Carew, in his eagerness to discover the steps, failed to see the straw ignite, and giadually the wood, for the cottage was old and highly inflammable, caught fire^ too. All he saAv was that there were no s.ieps to be seen, and, with growing frenzy, ne proceeded to lift the second board from its place. Suddenly Le felt something creeping round him — felt that the smoke was choking him. With hasty steps he ran to the door, tried to open it, and then recollected that he had locked it when he came in. And now a change came over him. He fell to thinking what his mother would think of his absence, for it was now 11 o'clock, and she had not seen him since 7 o'clock that evening. From this he wandered to other subjects. He seemed to be a boy at school again. They had just finished the football match, and the captain had said to him, "Well done, Carew. You saved the school to-day. Had it not been for you we should certainly have been beaten." And the mastex - had remarked, "Well, done, my boy. Always strive to aid others, as you have done to-day, for we nvust live and let live." And with this thought in his mind hs remembered with a thrill of horror how he had changed — remembered how many poor families had been rendered destitute by his greed and impatience of respite — recollected that he was now an old man, with neither kith nor kin to whom to leave his ill-gotten gams, and lying there (for he had sunk to the floor in a heavy stupor) he registered a vow that if ever he got out of this fire — for the building Avas now ablaze, and he himself severely burned — he would endeavour to make what tardy restitution lay in his power to those whom he j had rendered homeless. And now his stiength seemed to be giving way; he seemed to be unable to think connectedly. He heard voices outside, but was unable to cry for help, and then sank into oblivion. "Is there any hope for me?'' As he asked the question, Carew saw by the faces round [ him tiiat there AYcis not. Already fcue ieli

bis strength ebbing away ; but, strange to say, felt no reluctance to leave this world br'hind. Perhaps, being on the border of the two worlds, he felt how insignificant were the cares and joys of this world compared with the heavenly peace of that world to which he was hastenin". It was a task foi his labouied breath, when he aiticulated. "Give all the deeds anA mortgages back to those from -whom I took them, and— tell— them— that— l— am — sorry." Here he stopped, and with the word 'of contrition on his lips, his soul passed away, to appear bsfoie its Maker. and to be received with meicy," we trust. A week later there" were many happy hearts^ in the town, £m Luid Carlton, true to the dead mnn's w"sh, ret-toied every deed and mortgage to the original owner.