Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-01

this may have been worn by the Queen Of Sheba
for aught We know"
Possibly it was," retorted Auckland coollv.
"But that doesn't affect the mysterious chance
! which always exists of its destruction. Pearls
explode. Didn't you know it? Why, that is
what etarted to tell you about those rare
specimens which once shared with the diamonds
the honor Of being heirlooms in our family. Let
me see, was it my greatgrandmother? No. my
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, the Lady Catherine,
| Of course.
''It was the eve Of the majority ball of her
| eldest son, Chauncey, whose name also bear
She went to the secret crypt in the strong room
to get the pearls, meet ornaments for such q
function. She opened the oaken casket, and.
behold! there. where the milky necklace should
| lay, was little gray, feathery ash and the
golden wire and links The pearls had burst.
and f20, 900 vanished into air The noble dame
gave one despairing Shrek and expired"
Here Mr.. Auckland slipped his wine, as il to
hide a natural emotion.
You don't tell me!'' ejaculated Mr.. Black,
siding uneasily in his chair. Explode! Why
should they? They amt loaded"
| 81 hope they don't make u noise or do any
damage, father" said little Mrs. Black meekly.
Mr.. Black looked his disgust at the idea and
the epithet, but made no reply.
"No, madam" said Mr.. Auckland, turning
courteously to the sffrighted matron. 1.-THE
disintegration 10 sudden, but noiseless. Science
has thus far failed to explain its cause, although
/
| II didn't bargain to buy an explosive dis
ease, said Enoch, ruefully, quite forgetful Of
Richard the Conqueror and the Mayfower. sis
there nothing one can do to prevent such q
| fare-upw
| Il would suggest that it be kept in some cool
place where there Is a slight currentiof air.
| Then the inner compartment of my orna-
mental fire-proof, etagere safe is hardly the
place. Let me see. There's the ormolu desk
by the window by the library. The sides are
more lattice work. Here, Emma, my child,
key"
"But, father" again ventured poor littlei Mrs.
Black, "burglars."
Mr.. Black hated to be called "father' by his
wife, for he was her senior by q good many
years and it made him feel them. She was well
| aware of this aversion. but unable to break the
| habit from nervousness.
"Nonsenser he blurted forcibly. but incon-
| sequently; "there aren't burglars in these days
and haven't I an electric alarm at every win
down.
| Eyes, father
| "That's curious little key" said Mr. Auck-
| MAY look at it? Thanks. OF foreign manu-
facture, presumed"
| Eyes, Burmah."
This visit proved so pleasant that Chauncey
! Auckland repeated it several times during the
summer. His devotion to Emma became a sub
ject Of neighborly comment, which did not fail
| to reach the ears of Frank Maxon. At first he
outwardly ignored the gossip. much as he
| feared, but soon an incident caused him to act
| with the energy which his characteristics.
He met his lady love one afternoon. and began
operations at once, as follows:
Don't you love me?"
"Why. Frank. Won know I do. WHY else
would I be here?''
sand vet Won are poino IN marry tbie En-
glishman suppose on account OF his wealth. :"
Frank, be careful II you doubt me You
will no longer be the man that l love, and 50
shall no longer love YOU"
but Your own father told me So"
"Papa?'
"Yes. He said that this was an alliance
which your affection and his interest made de-
sirable, and he asked me not to be a marplot.
Can YOU wonder that the man that Won love
"No. dear. Yet you might have trusted.
Poor papa! Despite his wonderful executive
abilities he 1, as simple as a child in his weak.
nesses. This man has studied his weaknesses
and for some reason takes advantage of them. -
81 believe he is an impostor. and l shall make
ii my business to prove him one"
"why do you still donbty'
shield Won from annoyance and nersecntion
Frank Maxon found many suspicious on in
quiry. His city friends smiled and shrugged
their shoulders when Auckland's mama va.
mentioned. Perhaps he was ali right. He was
plausible and centlemanly. but-well after ali
| Il wa none Of their affairs. Frank Maxon per-
| sisted, and his patience was rewarded. He
| learned that Auckland had no connection rith
the English house which he claimed To repre-
sent. He learned that he had obtained money
| through this representation Warily he lald his
plans He was ready to strike When to their
| trystinR place came Emma IN q whirl of excite
ment
"Ob Franz " she cr;ea ..sucb =. r,;s,o-,,r.,
| poor ma M ia fairly heside himself"
| .Ob he has Uncovered has hso ur.s ;rs.
| about ~ in form him " '"''
| "Whv how could Won know2 Jt,s las. than
| bor honr since we found ~ ~
| an;Sn', T rr,r,;sa yon ,h.. rwor,a
! his imnostnre2"
..Eranr Sa.r dom. lror u,..
t.rt;re .hont tb;nL ~ shan,a 80. II, e
80 anxious to tell YOU. What has he and his IL
;,,ans.ura wh.t.rar .h.x ~, n -. anu u Is
nth onr nesri5' ''' N'"' "'"'' W w
"Whst psari2-
..wh~ tha ,r... h,... .,9,
"Why has lie stolen itS''
..Oh iear tbers xnr 90 .,,o;, ,;...
.,,n;d That Tor,ors ,,e.,i 20 ,.h;,L g. e. ~
haarn % nrord 10 r,inad das,rnS.d Zen. Hs
beon ~ dust N'''N' "'''e
| ..Thr Hhn s,osh.a ;,2-
.No one. IL explodedi Don't inter,nn, mo
sir. You see, papa had promised TO exhibit IL
Mt the loan exhibition So this noon he tool
| the case from the desk and opened il And
there in place Of that lovely cleaning, as I tell
| you was a little heap of dust. of feathery ash,
| Ar 20 .,t,, h,,a 49,, .xo,.. =