The Monitor., 1891-04-03
A FAMOUS GEN.

but what nonsense that is!' said Mr..
venable. shutting his cabinet drawers,
leaning back in his chair and looking at
verbena with eyes like gimlets. "Who
is the young MANI"
please, uncle, it's Fritz" whispered
verbena, half inclined to run away and
hide herself.
Fritz roared Mr.. venable. THAT
farmer fellow
Hes a farmer admitted Verbena,
'.but he owns his own farm, sir, and his
mother is very anxious for me to come
there, because
"Oh, can imagine that" said Mr..
Venable with sneer. You, a Nenable,
talking about marrying farmer! You,
the heiress of the Malmaison emerald!
You. that might take any place in socie-
ty that you wish when once the value
of the gem is known. to talk of aliying
yourself to q clodhopper like that, who
doesn't know an opal from a moon
stoner'
Verbena burst into tears.
He isn't a clodhopper," said she.
"And / wish there wasn't any such
thing as the Malmaison emerald
Mr.. yenable transfxed his niece
through his spectacles with glare that
might have paralyzed her.
"Silence, miss said he; ''do you know
it is on the reputation of the Malmaison
emerald that the Eenables will go down
to famei The Empress Josephine -
Il don't care for the Empress jose
phine," said Verbena, who, having
drawn the sword, was now minded to
cast the scabbard away. 'And I'm not
particular about fame, and don't sup
pose l shall be Venable forever
This sort of talk won't do, Verbena,s
said the old gentleman, solemnly.
"Where would society be if every one
refused to bear the responsibilities and
shoulder the cares of his station? You
are not merely my niece, Verbena. You
are the representatiye-the last surviy-
ing representative-oft the Venables. To
you in my will is left the guardianship
of the Malmaison emerald" -
I'm sick of hearing Of it, yehemently
protested Verbena.
And" went on Mr.. Venable, Il de-
sire you to give up all idea of marrying
this young man. It's entirely out of the
question-entirely.
But what is this about the Malmaison
emerald" asked Fritz Elcombe, in be-
wildered way, when he found Verbena
crying by the sitting room window a
few hours later. Her blue eyes sparkled
through their veil of tears.
"You don't mean" said she, ''that you
have never heard of the famous NAL
maison emerald?'
That's my meaning exactly" adj
mitted Fritz. 'Do consider in my be-
half that I've only been here 4 year, and
have much still to learn"
We'll, listen" said Verbena, half cry
ing. half angry. .sIt's a famous unset
gen.
"Oh, it is, is it:'
And it used to belong to the Empress
Josephine.
did it, indeed"
"And she wore it in those days at NAL
maison."
Hence the name, eh:"
II suppose so. And Queen Hortense
gave it to some one who sold it to some
body else, and it was finally given to
one OF the Venabes who was a surgeon
in the English army by dying officer
out in Hindoostan, to whom he had been
able to tender kind offices, and so it has
come down to us. 1t really is wonder
full stone"
II should suppose SO" politely incred-
ulous.
They say" went on Verbena, ''that
when uncle kept it in the little iron safe
let into the guest chamber wall, whoever
slept there used to dream of Il beautiful,
sad faced lady, who walked mp and down
in marble terrace under the trees and
wrung her hands. That was Empress
Josephine, of course"
"Of course" still more incredulously.
"And my uncle declares that the color
in the stone is always dim and turbid
when the anniversary of the poor lady's
death comes around" further added
Verbena.
"Yes, that is exceedingly probable, ="
dryly observes Mr.. Elcombe.
"My uncle has been offered great
deal Of money for the gem" said YER
bena, with sigh, ''and l wish to god
ness he'd sell it. But he won't. And
what is worse, he wants me to marry q
hateful, spectacled little old man in New
York, who, next to himself, is the best
judge of jewels in New York, and who
owns a green ruby which is a dead match
to Uncle Venable's unset emerald. He
calls it an archaeological alliance"
well, l should think it partook some
what of that nature, " said Fritz thought
fully.
''He is going up to New York to-mor.
row to a lapidaries' convention" said
Verbena. And l suppose he will bring
Mr. Twistleton back with him. Oh,
Fritz
Don't be alarmed, hearts dearest, "
said Fritz, consolingly, encircling her
waist with his arm THE only way in
which we can guard against this COM
plication of ills is
Yes, Fritz
ITO get married while Mr.. venable is
gone"
"Oh, Fritz! l wouldn't dare openly
defy him like that He has been very
good to me" fluttered Verbena.
"I'll be good to you, too, my darling" :"
Nonsense, Fritz, You're spelling my
hair. Do stop, Fritzr' protested the
girl.
Then. promise me, Verbena."
sgNo TIL