The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-04-10
THE AMBER SCARF-PIN.
IRelrraxia-l


and obscure, was small drop of amber
set in gold mounting of somewhat fanciful
design. Inside the amber was tiny in
sect, Of the kind which Partisan jewellers
made fashionable few years ago, as fe-
fishes, under the name OF "cri-cris."
About six months ago left England
for France in singularly happy mood.
j had just become engaged to charming
girl, and the object of my visit to Paris
was to purchase, as presents to my bride,
quantity of these articles so delightful to
the fair sex, which Paris alone produces.
II had coptented myself with patronizing
British commerce, in the persons of the
west-end tradesmen, none of my subse-
quent misfortunes would have happened.
But doubtless also another reason for my
visit to Paris was that irresistible attrac-
ton which the French city exercises over
all who have passed even a short time
within its walls, an attraction for which
no psychological reason can be assigned,
but which is felt by all. great Ameri-
can statesman once described Paris to me
IS ''the magnet of the world" 81 come
here every year" he said. II am sure l
do not know why"
This attraction had doubtless influenced
me when | decided that my presents to
Clara must be bought in Paris. | had
lived in that city some years before, in
in my young and Bohemian days, and had
had anything but good time. My prin-
cipal "reminiscences of the gay capital were
of financial difficulties, of quarrels with
tradesmen and hotel-keepers, and num-
ber of entirely undesirable acquaintances.
We had had &n excellent crossing, and,
after hasty supper at Calais, had got
into first-class carriage in the express to
Paris The only other occupant OF the
coupe was an English jockey, who went to
sleep as soon as he had taken his seat. l
had no such good fortune, as | am never
able to sleep while travelling by train, and
had TO spend the weary hours as best l
could with my thoughts. Fortunately
at that time they were pleasant ones
At Amiens French gentleman entered
the train and seated himself directly op-
pOsite me. He was in a talkative humor,
and it was not long before we were en-
gagged in conversation. Five minutes later
he had introduced himself to me as the
Marquis de kergaradec, and it was not
long before / was fully acquainted with
his opinions on Gen. Boulanger, on Emile
ZOla, Sara Bernhardt, and the general
variety of Partisan topics. The marquis
was an old man, elegantly dressed, and
wearing the ribbon of the legion of honor.
He was going TO Paris, he told me, to be
present at the Prix du Jockey club-the
blue ribbon of the French turf.
THAT is to say" he corrected himself,
81 am not going to Paris at all, but shall
get out at Chantilly."
Il thought the express did not stop
there" l said.
'When one is big shareholder" he
laughed, al a des accommodeme1lts with
the Northern railway company" --.-
had laughed at his ready adaptation
of Tartuffe's famous remark, and was
about to say something in rejoinder, when
] noticed that the marquis expression
suddenly changed, and saw that he was
staring at me in a manner which was
almost offensive. His eyes were fixed on
nv collar.
While | was wondering whether any
thing in my linen was exciting the curios-
ity and interest of this carefully attired
old gentleman. he bent forward and said,
in quite an altered tone of voice: 81 beg
your pardon, sir, bat what curious scarf
pin that is that you are wearing; would
you mind showing is to me?" and added
something about being an amateur of
jewelry.
l willingly complied with his request,
took the pin out of my tie, and handed it
to him.
He examined it carefully, turning it
round and round. Then he stood up and
held it close TO the carriage lamp, mutter-
ing to himself.
At last he handed it back to me with
curt Thank you, and changed his place
TO the seat in the opposite corner of the
carriage, vis-a-vis to the sleeping jockey.
1T is curious pin, is it not" [ said
politely, though completely mystiied by
his change of manner.
But he made no answer, sitting still and
watching me.
made another attempt to bring him to
explain himself, but finding it impossible
to get word out of him, shrugged my
shoulders and settled down again TO my
thoughts.
At Chantilly the train stopped and the
guard came TO the door to inform the
marquis, with much respect, that he had
reached his destination.
81 have changed my mind, said the old
gentleman, "and shall go on to Paris.
remember l have an engagement at the
jockey club"
A minute later the train was dashing on
Its way again, and did not stop till we
reached Paris.
l had no luggage beyond hand-valise,
and so had not to wait at the station.
jumped into a cab and drove off at once to
the Grand hotel. very anxious to get to
bed. / need hardly say l had long since
forgotten all about my strange travelling
companion. However, half an hour later,
as / was leaving the bureau of the hotel,
where l had registered my address to 60
up to the room assigned to me, l met the
old gentleman again, going into the bu-
reau. He stared hard at me as passed,
first at my face and then at my pin.
thought it strange he should have fol-
lowed me, and his persistent rudeness
found stranger still, but l had no inclina-
ton to trouble my head as to the reasons
of his eccentricity, and dismissed him
once again from my mind.
At 10 o'clock l arose, dressed, and after
the inevitable cafe au lait-that miserable
substitute for an English breakfast-went
down and out on to the boulevard to visit
the shops had determined to patronize.
AS passed under the porch of the hotel
] noticed a somewhat disreputable indi-
vidual, who seemed to be standing there
on sentry. / noticed him again at the
corner of Rue de Valmy, and third time
as / was crossing the Place Vendome.
Just as ] reached the arcade OF the Rue
de Castiglione the man came up to me,
laid his hand on my shoulder, and thrust
L.,