The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE EFFECTED. CLAIMS PROMPTLY SETTLE^ Agent for Several Firat-Glaa Compft0 W. WILLIAMS, > Accountant, Insurance, and General SENNYBRIDGE Telephone No. 9, Sennybridge^wf ■ ■ I Sam Garratf's j r| STUDIO, I Wt HIGH ST., BRECON. | ¥ LOCAL PICTURES may be seen by appointment. A Signed Reproductions* | | 7/6 each— | }tL ticoursing, I'll R.A., 1914. I Charles I at the Priory, 1 ;¡ç- -H Brecon." 4 ;I.: TP (Eisteddfod Prize, 1913). [ "Res and Refreslwiient, a tf Three Cocks." 2j .1 "Birthplace of Mrs. Siddoflj | Ü Brecon." | "Brecon Town from Dinas. "Christ College from the Jj '• Captains' Walk." 1 1.:4H¡H:H:H;a< < Educational. f — — w Woodlands Day A Boarding School for 6 Preparatory for Little Boys) CAMDEN ROAD, BRECON. Principals: Miss Park-Brown and Miss0 A.R.C.M. Ueual English Subjecta, Nature Stndy» work, French, Drawing, Painting Exercisea, Dancing. Music a speciality* O. j SHORTHAND and BOOK KEEP1^' *j Outside Students may attend for ft0? >/l above subjecta. J UATLE HOCSE, SeMoOb FOR Gllg Oaf$ Alte PREPARATORY fR ø, Principal MISS MR. W. P. J. LEBROCQ, M.A., 5' CTJ F.R. Mot. Boo. (Honours, Cbrist's Collf £ REPARE8 PUPILS for CJommis"10 Army and Navy, and for .1 Service and other Entrance p Private lessons in Botany, practical use of Microscope, Mathematioe, Fra Study, etc. *»

[ALL BIOUTS BESEBTtC ] THE CASH DEAL. By J, S. FLETCHER Author of "The Golden Hope," "The Double Chance," The Desire of Their Hearts," "With a Good Grace," &c. When Arensen and Goldmark opened their fine establishment in the Edgware-road each had dwelt in England for quite ten years, and both believed themselves to be fully compe- tent to do business in London. As a matter of fact, they had been doing business in this country ever since they had arrived in it. Arensen considered Goldmark to be a very smart man; Gold'mark clienislied, a deep ad- miration for Arer-sen.. in Arensen's opinion, could get over Goldlmark; according to Goldmark, the man who could take in Arensen wouici have to be very clever indeed. It was a somewhat dark and dismal De- cember day. Gold'mark had gone down to the City on bu.- ness; Arensen and the two assistants were doing nothing in particular. A young lady eiitcred, the shop. She was a very qu.iet-look'mg young lady, slim, quite youth- ful—being apparently not more than twenty- one or so at the most—and evidently very shy and modest. She was attired in J),ack- good clothes, thought Arer.&cn, who was ac- c-jstonu-d to sizing his customers up at a glance—but. of a simple and even prim, o.d- maid'sii cut. She showed some confusion on entering the shop, as if she were a country ma'ckrn unused to such grandeur, and she stood for a moment looking from one s3iot- aut to the other as though she feared to sr.nk to eit.ho*. Arensen. who was posting up the day ledger at a desk, bustled forward with a reassuring bow. What can I do for you madam?" asked Arensen, laying his hand on a chair and drawing it forward. The young lady seemed to be relieved by Arensen's politeness. She turned a pair of ingenuous eyes on him. Oh, if you please,- are you the pro- prietor?" she as,kel, a little tremblingly. "At your service, madam," replied Aren- sen, with another bow The young lady glanced nervously at the assist.iitF. Can—can I speak to you in-in private?" she asked. I—I want to mention a busi- ness matter." To be sure, madam," answered Arensen. He turned and opened the door of a little re- lie ception-room. He bowed his viV.ior m, gave hern chair, and stood at attention. What can we have the pleasure of doing?" asked Arensen again, encouragingly. "Anything that we can do, madam- "I wanted to k if you "ever buy jewellery?" asked the girl, timidly. That is, I mean—jeweVery that has belonged to somebody else?" S{"('o"ncl-hancl jewellel'Y," he said. Oil, --e, sometimes. You have something you want to sell, eh?" The girl s>'ghed a Little, ns if in relief. It is my mother -who wauls to sell some- thing," she answered. "I -have called on her behalf. Perhaps, sir, I had better ex- plain. My father is dead-lie died last year. He was a retired army officer. I am sorry to say we nere not* left very well off. My mother has had <0 .dispose of many things—books, pictures, and so on it was absolutely necessary. And now she wishes to sell 'ch belonged to my father— a diamor ,he would very much have preferred » it-as a heirloom. But, as things art' 'eels that she really must sell it and ftlvest "oe money." "Yotfr mother—she thinks this r is worth something, then?" he asked. "A valu- able ring, eh? "We know it is worth a good deal," replied the girl, quietly. It is a beautiful ring, a very fine diamond, and it has a history. Per- haps I had better tell you about it-if I am not wasting your time? Ola, no, no (Ieclare(I Arensen. Much delighted, I am sure. A diamond ring with a history Yes, greatly pleased." It is very kind of you," murmured the visitor. You see," she went on, with an up- ward glance of her limpid, innocent eyes, my father, the late Colonel Shclkin, spent a great part of his military career in India. He then made the acquaintance of the Rajah of Kottalpoona—a wry great Prince, I be- lieve. They became friend.s. And. on one oc- casion my father, performed feme important service for the Rajah-some delicate negotia- tion with the Government, my mother thinks, though, as it was of a secret nature, she never heard the exact details. But, any way, the Rajah was so pleased and grateful that he presented my father with the ring of which I am speaking—and. of course, my father treasured it very highly. So," she concluded, with azioth-er sigh, has my mother, and she would natural 1 y desire to keep it, but our affairs are so very straitened that she has de- cided to sell it." Just so-just so said Arensen, sympa- thetically. I quite understand. Now, has your mother had the ring valued a.t all? Does she know what it is -worth?" I My father always said it was worth at least six hundred pound1?," replied the visitor, calmly. He very seldom- wore it-he kept it locked up in a safe. And diamonds never deteriora.tein value, do they?" she asked, trustfully. "Tht>v're always worth their original value, aren't they?" Arensen spread his white hands. Oh, well, well!" he answered, non-eominittally. That is as it may be. You have not brought- this ring with you—no? "Oh. no My mother would not allow it out of her hands," answered the girl. But we thought that perhaps you would call a.nd look at it—we are staying at the Pampeluna Hotel, close by her-e. in Cambridge-square, you know—if you could call there?" "Oh, ceTtainIy "replied Arc-iis-eil. "I will call with my partner—Mr. Goldmark. Mr. Goldmark, he is a great expert on diamonds. You can trust his valuation. If we buy-wel, 1 do not know if we will buy or not until Mr. Goldmark has seen tlie ring. You mft.y depend upon us to give the top price—oh, yes You are very kind," said the girl. She opened a tiny card-case which she carried in her left hand, and drew out a card. "Tltat is my mother's name and our home address," she said, handing the cand to Arensen. Would three o'clock be convenient? "Quite so," replied Arensen. It will do nicely." He glanced at the card and read "Mrs. Edward Shelkin, Woodbine Lodge. Keatherdale, Bucks,"Very good," he added, with a smile. "We come—three o'clock." Then he bowed his visitor out with great politeness* and laid the card aside until Gold- mark returned, just upon lunch-time. They 1e ft the shop to the assistants and went out to lunch together, and Arensen related the story of the Rajah's ring, and Goldmark con- sidered it. Likelv we get that ring for next to nothing, sai (I Arensen. If the mother is as simple as the daughter looks, we shall. The thing is to take cash along with us. When folks see cash, they want to touch it. Especi- ally w..n their own is running short." U,,n asreea uolctmarK. Something there is. too. in what you say." The diamonds what them Indian Prmees chuck about," said Goldmark, whose English, having be-eii learnt in the City and the Easi End, was nothing like so good as his partner s. which had been picked up in the purer Anglo- Saxon districts of the North, ain't worth much, see: Them fellers keeps cartloads of precious stones—they've got cellars full of 'em. Indian diamonds—urKlei>iuiK. lne} ain't nothing like as good as what -wc get nowadays from South Africa. Consequently, ain't nothing like as good as what -wc get nowadays from South Africa. Consequently, whatever these here ladies think their ring's worth, of course, it ain't wortn—no, not one quarter I "'Course not!" assented Arensen. "More like one-eighth. Don't you be too generous, Goldmark." Goldmark sniffed, and then tapped the side of his nose. Of course," he remarked, slyly, if the diamond -is a good 'un, it'll increase in value tremendously aa eoon as we get it. -What? "Just so," said Arensen. "But it'll go down tremendously in value as soon as you see it. Start low down, Goldmark—very low." Goldmark intimated that he knew a thing or two, and then he and his partner assumed their politest manner, and, entering the Pampeluna Hotel, inquired for Miss Shelkin, whoStl card they produced. A waiter led the. upstairs to a private sitting room, where Miss Snelkin, looking, if possible, more youthful and innocent than in the morning, received them—alone. She greeted Arensen with a friendly smile; Avensen waved a hand towards Goldmark. My partner, Mr. Goldmark," he announced. Sen-ant, miss," scfid Goldmark, taking in Miss Shelkin's rngenuousness. I hope I see you well, miss." 11.1 am very well, thank you," replied Miss Shelkin. I am sorry to say," however," she continued, turning to Arensen. that my mother is not at all well this afternoon. She is subject to sudden illness, and she has been obliged to retire. But I can show you the ring, and can tell her what you are disposed to offer. Excuse me a moment." She disappeared into a room which, opened out of that in which they were talking, and I presently the two jewellers heard her in con- versation with some person within. Then Miss Shelkin returned carrying a little old, faded morocco case which she set on the table at which Arensen 8.3d Goldmark, at her invi- tation. J^arf seated themselves. "This is the ring," she said. "Perhaps one of you will open the case?" Goldmark. upon whom anything in the shape of a. diamond always exercised a great fascination, immediately seized upon the old ca.se and unsnapped its lid. Out of a faded velvet bed he drew forth the ring. And, in spite of their precaution, it was all that he and Arensen could do to stop themselves from breaking out into admiring ejaculations. For the ring was a beautiful bit of art, and the diamond was a large and fine one 'iii(t the mouths of the two men began to water -after it, and their souls to desire it. They had to exercise all the self-control of which they were capable not to show openly the greed that welled up in them. "Urn!" murmured Goldmark. turning the ring over and over. Old ring and very old workmanship. Very nice as a curiosity, miss; but this stone would have to be re-set. How much, now, did you tell my friend here your papa. reckoned it to be worth?" "íy father always said It was well worth six hundred pounds," replied Miss Shelkin. Goldmark put the ring on the table as if it had stung him. "Oh, no, no, no he said. "Oh, no, miss! Those old Indtan diamonds— oh, no, they arc not worth anything like that. I am a judge of diamonds—been at it many years. I know what I talk about. It is a nice stone, that, worth six litmdred to your papa, perhaps, sentimentally, you understand, but not on the market. What do you say. Mr. Arensen ? 1. Certainly notion the market," answered Arensen. "No!" lie, too, turned ihe ring Over, examining it with his glass from all points. There's something engraved -inside it," he went on. "Some queer characters; Hindu letters, maybe. Perhaps you can read them, miss? "They are Arabic," replied Miss Shelkin. The Rajah had theni, engraved inside the ring when he gave it to my father. I will ask my mother what they mean." She went into the other room, and as soon as she had closed the door Arensen turned sharply to Goldmark. And Goldmark held up both hands, the five fingers of each out- spread. "A thousand!" he whispered. "Every penny of it Maybe a hundred or two more, but certainly that. We'll go up to Miss Shelkin came back, smiFng a little. 11 INIV mother says it's the Arabic transla- tion of the family motto—the Shelkin motto," she said. "That is—Make Sure." And a very good motfo. "-ie-n, miss," re- marked GoJdmark, turning the ring over, and over again, glass in eye. Um—well, now, and what" will your mamma take for this ring? Mind, we're not keen about buying at, but—to oblige you, you know. How much, now?" My mother would like you to make an offer," said Miss Shetlkiu. Arensen and Goldmark exchanged 1ooks. Then Gold'mark spoke, slowly. We couldn't give more than a couple of hundred pound, miss." he answered. have to be re-set and maill)eo"eu,L. aeain, and— no, we couldn't give more, I'm afra'id." "Not a penny more," said1 Arensen, look- ing as if his partner surprised him. That's a very handsome offer." Miss Shelkin, however, shook her head. It is much less than we expected," slie tf:r1. "Much les5. Can't you really increase it?" The two partners again examined the ring, after which they put it down on the table, re- garded it dubiously, and shook their heads. Miss Shelkin picked it up. placed it on one of her fingers, looked at it admiringly, turned it to the rays of the electric light, drew it off, and replaced it between the men. It's a beautiful ring." she said. Surely, it must be worth much more-than that." We might go to two hunderd and twenty- five," said Goldmark. 'Tain't r-tally worth more—to us. Of course, we ll pay cash, miss —I have money on me." Miss Shelkin made another retreat. She was away but a minute this time, and when she returned her manner was decided. My mother says nothing less tbaii two hundred and fifty pounds, gentlemen," she announced. Even then she feels sure she is making a. sacrifice." Arensen and Goldmark looked at each ether. Once more they went through the cere- mony of inspecting the ring. Then they whis- pered a little, and finally "Goldmark put his right hand round to his hip pocket. Very well, miss." he said, with a deep sigh.. Of course, that's depreciating our bit of reasonable profit. Mr. Arensen, perhaps you']] write out a receipt for the young lady to sign? Two Iltllldrecl aml fifty, then, miss. I'll hand you fifty in gold and "tw o hundred in ten-pound notes." Ten minutes later the partners walked out of the Pampeluna Hotel in solemn silence. They had got nearly to E d k w are road «•' Cftfore GoldmarK spotce nustuiy, as it under we ence of strong emotion.. sla-pf11 My friend he M nt Arensen on the shoulder, that .fl < the best bits of luck ever we se ^4 naturals! I tell you this stone KS hundred pounds—every penny Send you may be right, J A Ten sen. piously. "Right!" exclaimed Goldm.a-rK. ,$ I tell you what I do. We get i r i £ VI there and drive to Dunkelheimer jfl Garden. If I am fifty pound "fong,t estimate, I pay for dinners for three Trocadero to-night—see?" Good responded Arensen. He W to the taxi-cab driver. "You say ele„pe^ dred, he remarked, as they got in- hundred, mind!" I say eleven hundred pound. pgZ Goldmark, doggedly. And if I a you pay for the dinners, is it—with I'll pay." said Arensen. A.j.$ champagne, too. If you're right, matter whether you or I pay, my boy. t'i a fat man, who 9 to be the best judge of diamonds in (Jflj looked gloatingly at the Rajah's ring ÎÎe ? mark placed it in his pudgy palm. d T a glass in his eye and bent forwaJ • next instant he threw the ring on h:s e. a gesture of disgust. 1J "Yah. what you giving me?"he( Ti-nk I'm a bloomin' fool, eh? ah Areu-sen dropped into the near^ 5P moaning softly. But Goldmark screak' 9 seized the ring. With trembling too subjected it to scrutiny. Then h« another yell. "She's done us!" he cried. Tn the ring we see before! This is a d counterfeit! She must 11a' changed J she picked the real ring up. Come 011 t He dragged the shivering Aren.sen Dunkelheimer's office, bundled him taxicab, and bade the driver speed to1' jWjj peluua. But there wa.s' 110 Miss She^k' 3 K Mrs. and Miss Shelkin had loft w minutes of Messrs. Arensen and$ departure, their luggage, small and I'1?1 W, ing already gone, and their bill ilunit, paid at noom Nor were they to be the quiet village of Heatherd-ale. one had ever heard of them, and there such house as Woodbine Lodge. A-1 jji!"v days the mere sight of demure and i'1? 1, looking young ladies, drfssed in pie makes Arensen and Goldmark feel as if had fallen into icy-cold water. (THE Er\D.] J