Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-16


 no Idea or wish to see him again His ex- presslon as he heard that had first sketched nm ln the hospital ward of the prison, and had then been the means of bringing him to luStlce, was not an amiable one; but on re-
 celving note from him requesting an inter-
 view just before he was to leave for the gal
 leys, felt it due to Emily to go and hear
 what the wretch had to say.
 Like most doomed men, he was calm and
 even cheerful He said that what he most
 regretted was the spelling of en admirably
 laid plan. He had been on the track of the
 San Marco jewels for years, and tho episode
 of the Sinclair acquaintance was but to him
 one of those pieces of good fortune which al
 ways come, as he said, to adventurous spirits. When be had first met me
 he thought from my earnest gaze that
 I had seen him somewhere in his checkered career and he h&d some times honored me uilh the bcller that l too was like himself soldier of fortune, perhaps one worthy of his confidence. That idea hay ing been chased from his mind, he then con descended to use me as his unconscious dupe, my studio offering him unusual facilities. The exchange of the Russia leather bags was of course very easy to him ill the confusion of leaving the studio The placing of the bracelet in Emily's bag he had accomplished in the confusion attending the downfall of the picture, which naturally drew away Maddalenas attention
 Il had not forgotten her caricaturo of lle either" said MT, Victor Polenta Gregorc.
 But" said l, how did you dare to stay twelve hours i'll Venice, as you did, after the commission of your crime?"
 Because" said this cool hand "I acco,,,- panied the ladies to their respective apart ments, and saw Maddalena put her supposed treasure in trunk which she locked up, and then knew her whole attention would be required by the afflicted young lady then went with Miss Sinclair and her niece across tho house to their humble rooms, with the bag of jewels ill my hand. Hiss Emily was in tears, and had forgotten all about her water colors. Miss Sinclair was, trust. en- Grossed in my unworthy self. 1t was not diff ficult for me to hide the little Russia leather case behind pillar in the dark hall while took my leave.
 Then as a few hours delay in Venice was indispensable to my subsequent plans, could not avert suspicion better, even supposinr it were aroused, than by remaining where was. It would have been impossible, had been arrested in Venice, for Madame Ia prin- cesse to recover her jewels or for the suspi- clon to attach to me. In one hour they were on their way to Paris and there should have escaped, but for your fortunate habit, sir. of remembering face, and from your honorable practice of making portrait of man without his own consent However, bear no malice All theso things are luck-mere luck; the stars were against nc. As you seem, how ever, to have the welfare of the Sinclair fam, fly at heart, ask you to do them service Miss Sinclair has written me many letters. I would like to return them to her, and express to her my sense that she is a geutlewoman She was sincerely attached to me I ba- lieve!"
 So this hardened villain had a soft spot in his heart-one grain of honor left in a scared conscience! declare I was touched as he gave me q card with few words written on 1t, to take to bis mother.
 ''Go to this number if you please" said he. Ask for Madame Gregoire. Tell her shall sec her in five years, She is very old, but she must wait till I come out. Bid her keen mn . good heart and to give you a packet . of letters she will find in my escritoire."
 ''Monsiour Gregoirc," said I, flor this I thank you"
 And left behind me a man who was no longer man, but a number-a conv1ct sen fenced to the galleys
 had no difficulty in finding Madame Gre golre, or in gaining possession of Miss Sin clair's letters. It struck llGe. however. tlat tho grim oli French bag received my com from her son with more pleasure than pain.
 The young English hc;ress stood in i!a i!ae.I ot frleld5; but ill the midst of newly found and anxious and oiTvctionato cousins. who found "Uheir dear Emily suL,ic,ly so she turned to rr, and be~wjygr Of me to Eclp her to heav Is;u-.: ny Gs had helped Ter to bear ;dvtrsitE, >ile ll.,.1 lno her chosen friend and adviser.
 She claimed the "LupLrUSyMa, ,' and hllpr 1t in her own beautiful picture rallcry, | amid tho kindred whom sAo had uot known Next to it was that of a superb young soldier the ill fated colonel in his youth, and not far ot hung pretty young simpcring beauty, poor Miss Sinclair
 Emily had been on her own ground q year. -ho respected, honored, and rich young woman, with name, title, and an estate before we saw the San Marcos again. Then Ill great state came tho Princess and her son md daughter to London, and old Dr. Sebas ,iani, with more wrinkles about bis eyes than ever; and the Princess made an offer in due form for Emily's hand for the young Prince Ces2re, and it was accepted in due form. lave an idea that her Majestys mailbags had been freighted with misSiveS all throuph this year of mourning, and that Prince Cesaro lad not waited for his mamma except in ;orm.
 On tne day or her wedding Emily was pre- 'ented with share of the San Marco rubies,
 Il would givo you the tiara" said Madame Mere, but that was not found The robber to hide that; and it has escaped he police"
 Emily, however, refused to wear any orna- nent but one. That was the bracelet which lad led to her arrest, to whose keeping was again entrusted the portrait of Cesare
 And the titled relatives who were ready to give away Euphrosyne, and to sec her be- como princess, were all declined, and an American artist led her to the altar
 It was not until years after that I found put that at the last moment of his free exist 'nce Victor Gregoire had made q tool of me, and that the card carried to his mother had 'evealed to her and to a choice set of associ- ates the whereabouts of the missing tiara, dare say that on that one fragment of the plendid equipment of jewels known as the San Marco rubies Mir. Polenta, alias Victor is now living in virtuous easo and 'etirement.
 At any rate, considering all things, although 1 am the favored friend of both the PrincesseS di San Marco, shall never choose @ quarter with my coat of arms a red Russia l. o1s