New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-08
THE VALDEZ SAPPHIRE.


found it, the Spanish adventurer who stole it,
the Cardinal VINO bought it,, the Pope who gra-
c0uslN accepted il, the favored son OF the Church
who received II, the gay and gddy duchess VINO
pawned IT. down 10 the eminent prelate VINO now
holds II IN trust as family heirloom
1t Will occupy chapter TO itself IN my lofIn run,
coming work on Historic Stones, where 1ull
details Of its weight size, color and value may
he found. AT present ! am going to relate an
incident In it's history which, for obvious reasons
will not be publisAed-whch. in fact, TRUST the
reader will consider related in strict confidence.
bad never seen the stone itself when began
10 write about il, and it was not until one even
ing last spring. while staying with my nephew,
Sir Thomas Acton, that came within measurable
distance of 1t. dinnerparty was impending,
and at my instigaton, the Bishop of NorthchurGh
and Miss Panton, his daughter and heiress, were
among the invited guests.
The dinner was particularly good one, ! re.
member that distinctly. In fact. felt myself
cook--a talented young Italian pupil of the ad-
mirable old chef at my club. We had gone over
the menu carefully together, with result re-
freshing in its novelty, but not so daring as to
who were hidden thereto
The first spoonful Of soup was reassurng, and
| looked To the end Of the table 10 exchange n
congatulatory glance with Leta What was
amiss? No response. Her pretty face was
flushed. her smile constrained she was talking
with quite unnecessary empressement 10 her
neighbor, Sir Harry Lander, though Ieta is one
Of those few women who understand the import.
ance Of letting man settle down tranqnlliy ana
dining allowing no topic Of serious interest 70
come on before the relieves and reserving mere
co4yersa'iGna 9nTapGy for tine sn,Tme,s had
gone through the list with her. selecting just
the right people to he asked TO meet the Landors
our new neighh0rS. Not mere Cumhrous county
gathering. nor vet snowy imported party from
town. hut skilful blending of both. Had any
thing happened already? ! had been late for
dinner and missed the arrivals in the drawing
room. II was Leta's fault She has got into
way of coming into MY room. and putting the
last touches 10 my toilet: | let her. for am
doubtful of myself nowadays after many years
dependence on the hest OF Wallets Her taste Is
generally beyond dispute, but today She had in
Obliged in a feminine yagary that provoked me
and made me late for dinner.
Are YOU going 10 wear your sapphire, Uncle
Paul" She cried. in tone of dismay oh. why
not the ruby ~
Yon would have your way, about the table
decoration. gently reminded her With that
service Of Crown Derby repousse and orchids, t@e
you would have had The Limoges set, whit" can
dies and yellow six ccntc--
"Oh. but-Im So dsappointcd-l wanted The
Bishop 70 SEQ your ruhy--or one Of Nour engraved
Ny dear. i, is on the Bishops account put
this on. You know bis daughter Is hciress OF
The great Valdez sapphire"
OF course she is. and when he has the charge
% stone three times aS big As yours whats the
usc Of wearing il The ruby, dear Uncle Panl,
please"
She was desperately in earnest could see and
considering the obligations which am supposed
~
matter 10 Weld. but II involved good deal OF
extra trouble Studs sIccve-links. watch guard.
all carefully selected 10 go with tho sapphire had
20 be changed the emerald which | chose as
compromise requiring more forid compartments
Of q deeper tone Of gold. and the dinner-honr
stI.ck as replaced my lewe case. the one relic
LEFT me of a once handsome fortune, In my fire
The emerald looked very well tsst evening,
however ! kept my eyes upon II FOR comfort
when Miss Panton proved trying.
She WINS n lean. yellow, dictatorial young per
son. with no conversation ] spoke Of her fathers
celebrated Spphires. My sapphres, she amended
ng any profitable use Of them She Furthermore
informed that she viewed them AS useless
benefit 4 the heather ] gave The subject mp.
and while she discoursed of the work 81 the
Blue Ribbon Army among the BosjcSinan. tired To
understand a certain dislocNtion II, the arrange
ment Of the table Surely we werc more or less
in number than We should be Opposite side all
right. Who was extra on ours? leaned for
ward. Lady Lander on one side Of Tom: on the
other whoP ] caught glmpses Of plnmes pink
and green nodffng over dnner-plate. and be-
nutoracker chin sltogether unknown 10 me. A
sharp gray eve shot sdcwny glance down the
table and caught me peeping, and reiterated,
having only marked in addition two claw-liie
hands with point lace rufles and mass Of bill.
~ Wbo was S,ee Al Intervals a biah acid
That mode me shudder; 1, had the quality Of
the scream Of bird Of prey or the yell Of
Jn0kaI ] had heard that sort OF hugh oeIore'
i laS,i + always made me ''e' ''Ne " "F''"''
Every Time il sounded saw Letos fan nutter
more furiously and her manner grow more ner-
voasy animated. Poor, dear girl never In
all my recollection wished dinner az an end
earnestly a. 20 assure her Of my support
and sympathy. though without The isin'est con
oeption why either should loo required
The ices al last. menu card folded IN two
was Gaii beside me. ] read v rnobsrved'
roc@.e y" The B. ? The BISHOP, Of cogrse With
pleasure Bun WHY And how That's the
question, never mind Why Could lure him
tory? doubted 10, and ] doubted still more
Whit | should do with him when got him
there.
The Bishop is a grand and stately eccesastio
martial Of bearing. ! could picture him charging
mace II hand at the head Of his vassals. or de-
rack and thumb-screw. but not pottering among
rare editions, tall copies and Groler bindings
nor eondesoending 70 a qulet cigar among me
obeyed, ! swOre. nevertheless. even II ! were
driven 10 lock the door IN the fearless od-fashion
Of by-gone day, and declare I'D sl,oo, any man
who lelu while a drop remained in the bottles
of the line smitted and Nodded her pink PlaInes
cOquetishly al Tom. while her hawks eyes roved
keen aud predatory, over all She stopped
suddenly, creating block and confusion.
All, the dear Bishop You there and never
chat presently Bye-by." She shook her fan at
him over my shoulder and tripped of. Leta,
passing me last, gave me a look Of profound
despair.
Lady Carwitchet :" somebody exclaimed. i
couldn't believe my eyes
Thought size dead or in penal servitudc:
Never should have expected 70 see her here,
said some one Gle behind me, confidentially.
What Carwitchet? Not the mother of the
Carwtchet who
just 50. The Carwitchet who" Tom as
sentcd with shrug We needn't 90 further.
as she's my guest. just my luck. / met them
at Buxton, thought them uncommOnly good com
pany-ln fact, CsHvitchCt laid me under great
obligation about horse ] nearly let III for
yuylng-and gave rhem general invltatlon
mere, as one does. you know. Never expected
her 70 turn up with her luggage this afternoon
JuSt before dinner, % stay a week, fortnight,
II arwltchet can join her. i groan of sym