Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-25
A COSTLY BRACELET.

Mr.. Maurice carried on a snug busi-
mesa as a silyersmith and dealer IN an
tioue silver in little triangular shaped
shop not much larger than a cupboard,
situated in turning out of Bond street.
Oddly enough, his chief occupation
seemed to be buying rather than selling;
for the majority Of his customers came
70 him to dispose of family plate or 70
raise money on the security Of Jewelry
and other yaluables. This branch OF
his business Mr.. Maurice found SO high
ly remunerative that he Was OCCASION
ally tempted to be rather reckless IN his
dealings with strangers. The TACT IS,
that when he saw prospect OF making
q good bargain he never had the heart
TO ask disagreeable questions. and, con-
seuuently, it sometimes happened that
Mr.. Maurice had in the recesses OK his
strong room valuable articles which
were being anxiously sought after by
their riphtful owners. A dubious trans
action of this nature, however, was by
no means an every day occurrence; for
Maurice had large and aristOcratic
connection, chiefly among fashionable
ladies' with a mania for sextravagance,
and no was generally regarded as a
most respectable tradesman. He WAS a
little elderly man, with bald head.
strongly marked features OF JEWISH
type. sleek in person, affabie and insin-
usting in manner, and 30 susceptible by
disposition that it was notorious that a
pretty woman could obtain much better
terms from him than plain one.
This was certainly the case regarding
little Mrs. Brisooe, the wife Of an impe-
ouni0us younger son Of Lord Asterisk.
Mrs. Briscos was an American, and
when she ran away with handsome Bob
Briscoe she was considerable helress.
Unfortunately her property had not
been protected by marriage settle
ment, and, consequently, she and her
husband between them contrived to run
through it in a remarkably short space
of time. To do the lady justice, she
made no pretense Of blaming her hus
band for his improdence and extFava-
Rapca, having c0nRenial tastes In the
same direction. In fact, she had squan-
dered quite as much of her fortune as
he had, without the excuse of having q
large accumulation of debts 10 clear of.
Being possessed of handsome jewelry
and a prOfusion Of wedding gifts Of q
costly nature, Mrs. Briscoe had frequent
transactions with Mr.. Maurice, with
whose assistance, and by the aid of very
tolerable luck and skill at ecarte, tho
little lady contrived to maintain an APP
pearance of prosperity.
Mr.. Maurice found it no easy task TO
hold his own with Mrs. Briscos, who,
besides being piquant and pretty, was Il
past mistress in the dangerous arts Of
coaxing aud cajolery. She was AZ clev-
or and shrewd as she Was fascinating,
and Mr.. Matrices admiration for her
was not diminished by the fact that she
was by no means addicted to consclen-
cious scruples. She could romance with
charming sffrontery, and would have
cheated him without the slightest CON-
junction II he had ever given her n
chance. He felt sort of professional
pride in getting the better OF Mrs. Bris-
cos, which added a singular zest to their
numerous transactions, and rendered
her an honored customer in his eyes.
One of his hardest fought battles with
fashioned tiara OF diamonds SGT in sill
Yer, which had been presented TO her
BY her husbands grandmother, the
dowager Countess Of Asterlsk. Mrs.
Briscoe, being driven by adverse circum-
stances to part with this treasure, nat
urally brought it to MIR. Maurice and
demanded 4 price which took the wpr-
thy mans breath away. He perceived,
however, that the stones were of excel.
lent quality, and was az eager to acquire
them At his own price AZ his customer
vas to sell at hers. A long wranelins
discussion ensued, which resulted in Mr..
Maurice naming a price considerably
nearer TO the sum demanded than that
which he had originally offered. But
he resolutely declined to increase his
last bid, and Mrs. Briscoe. finding that
he was proof against her persuasive elo-
Quence, said, rather GROSSLY:
"very we'll, l see we are not likely 10
come TO terms, SO will trouble you TO
wrap the case up, Mr.. Maurice. and
will take it back"
"You won't get q better offer any
whore" said Mr.. Maurice, looking at
the diamonds with evident longing. II
tall you what I'll do" he added, as
though struck by a sudden thought. II
don't mind presenting you with piece
OF modern jewslry in addition to what
I've offered. and that must DO my ulti.
matum."
THANK yon for nothing" said Mrs.
Briscoe. poutinR. However, I may az
veil sec what you have 10 Offer"
Nh. Maurice, secretly elsted, shuffied
on with his keys to his strong room.
and After short absence returned with
half dozen small leather GASES in his
hand. Mrs. Briscoe inspected the con-
tents with the air Of q connoisseur. and
put each contemptuously on one eide
until sho came to the last, which con-
tanned . diamond bracelet Of chasts aud
peculiar design.
lsssly.
"Pretty. Its handsomer' reioined Mr..
Maurice. holding II at arms Length; "it q
worth Gl6O ct least. No, ma'am, |
didn't mean 70 offer that. I can't do
y" b added, closing the case abrupt
y.
II will take it." said Mrs. Briscoe.
oooliy. II would sooner sell The dia-
monds TO you than 10 q friend, To avoid
lst."
Mr.. Maurice hesitated moment. and
in1pected the ornament carefully, with
. puzzled EXPIRE ssion. His reflections
wore brought to a premature conclu.
sion BY an impatient movement on the
part OF his customer, which caused him
to cay, hurriedly:
swell, well, ma'am. I suppose /
must give way. But you have got the
deed"
Mrs. Briscos gave = little scornfrl
laugh and the dealer proceeded TO write
0ut . Check for the amount agreed up.
on. He then prepared q formal receins
Tor their joint signature. stating that
he had purchased the tiara for such and
euch sum, and diamond bracelet e.
dmated 70 be worth % much. Th,s
foxmality Vas always insisted upon bv
0ns. Briso0e, Who had feminine no.
tons OF being strictly business. like.
and Mr.. Maurice knew from experience
that he must humor her. He wrote
out the receipt, ~ usual, in duplicate,
handing cne copy to the lady, and
keeping the other himself. This termi
mated the transaction. and Mrs. Rriscoe
presently took her departure in high
good humor.
Nj. Maurice was BY no means dissat-
leued with his bargain whom he came 10
think Il over. He had given a larpc
sum for the diamonds, but thew vere
clearly worth the money; in fact, he
NV his way 10 making q handsome
pront ont OF them. But he felt q little
uneaay about tho bracelet, for he ooulc
not for the life Of him remember how
&c had come by il. His books showed