The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-08

mhaQY De 80 gracious aS TO allow the EN-
press to make Q personal examination O
one of the bracelets ?''
In an instant the fair arm was shorn Of
its gems, and with smothered ejaculation
OF delight the man wearing the imperial
livery bowed himself out of the box. bear.
ing the bracelet that a million OF francs
could not purchase.
+ The curtain fell upon the third act,
assembled again on the fourth, the notes Of
the finale rolled through the house. the
curtain fell for the last time; and still,
with well-bred politeness, the wife of the
Russian Ambassador waited for the return
Of her priceless jewels. The imperial party
rose and departed, and yet the bracelet was
not returned. Then the Duke, with ter
rible frown of impatience, rose and drove
rapidly to the Tuileries, and demanded the
return of the diamonds.
Explanations followed. and the Duke
was at last convinced that the. Empress
had never sent for the bracelet, and that
the man wearing the imperial livery was
one Of the daring thieves who infested the
capital. He babe his coachman drive to
the office Of the project Of police, and ere
daylight hundred of the shrewdest off
GERS were searching Paris for the gems.
The Duke, filed with anxiety, remained at
che office for tidings, while the Duchess
IestlesslY awaited the recovery of her
bracelet at home.
The great clock had just tolled the hour
Of six, when the bell Of the Dukes hotel
rang violently, and an officer Of the police
vas ushered into the presence Of the
Duchess. No
"Was the bracelet recovered ?u and
"would they imprison the scoundrel for
the rest Of his days ?" eagerly demanded
the Duchess.
With grave bow the officer stated that
the tibet was taken, and upon his person
was found the bracelet, But the fellow
stoutly insisted that he was not thief. and
that the bracelet ia his possession had been
10 his family for many years. Would mad
anne intrust to himsthe mate to the missing
bracelet, that the identity might DO COM
Madame, the Duchess, without / word.
unlocked her casket and placed in the
hands Of the rusty officer the second
bracelet. The officer, with profound bow.
lett the apartment, and madame retired
once more-this time to sleep, and to
dream OF her precious diamonds, When
he bell tolled the hour u nine, che Rus.
nan Ambassador, haggard and disordered, |
entered his wife's apartments and threw |
himself in despair into chair. Madame |
opened her eyes, and with smile Of delight
lskcd for the bracelets. 81 4 ~ & 4.
"SatanlO exclaimed the Duke, nwe
an learn nothing Of Them"
What ~ shrielred the madame, sthaye
7ou not recovered il? The officer who
anne for the other bracelet said the thief
lad been taken and the bracelet found.n
The Duke. with an exclamation of
sprang to his feet, and in
lusky voice besought his wife to explain.
q few words she told him. And then
With groan the Duke dropped into seat.
~ see IT ALL said he ssthe rascals
ave robbed you or the second bracelet.
here was no messenger sent for the
racelet. The man to whom you gave il Il
7ss no officer, but holder thief than he 4
rho robbed you first.
And SO it proved. The bracelets were
ever returned. and the Russian Ambassa-
or recalls the last .fete day of the fallen
Emperor with q sigh, for it made him
oorer man by many millions of francs i
han he was when he handed his charming
life into his carriage and babe his coach.
nan drive to the opera. ssAsssa q go