Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1894-12-26
The Diamond Necklace.
STORY OF A NOVEL WAGER.

STORY OF A NOVEL WAGER.
This is not precisely great market
for precious stones, writes Vienna
correspondent of the Chicago Times,
but the jewelers. in question have none
the less acquired European celebrity
for diamond necklaces, which are said
to surpass anything of the kind to be
found in London or Paris. But they
certainly are expensive, and the hus-
bands and lovers are few and far be-
tween who can afford to invest in one
of Mes rs Y. s neck laces to adorn the
fair necks of the women of their
hearts. Hence the hum of satisfac-
tion that was heard among the shop
men few days ago when well-dress-
ed young gentleman entered the shop,
introduced himself as Count o., and
then expressed his wish to see the
head of the firm for the purpose, he
said, of ordering diamond necklace.
Mr.. Y. very soon came down, his face
one vast, substantial smile, and signl-
fed his readiness to do the will of his
distinguished visitor
81 want diamond necklace, :"
was the reply, "but the very best
You have"
''We have none but the best, Count :;
but as tastes differ, you shall see all
we have here now, and can choose the
one that pleases you most
And in few minutes the young
nobleman's eyes were literally da2zled
with strings of precious stones, which
looked like serpents of fire and light
as they were coiled and uncoiled,
catching in their movements the rays
Of the setting sun, as they came
through the plate-glass windows of the
shop.
The Count greatly admired the dis
play, carefully examined the necklace,
stone after stone, then stepped back n
few PAGES, and viewed each one apart,
and, after q long hours inspection,
said:
"rhese three strike my fancy with
equal force, but | only require one. |
cannot choose between them. / will
certainly take one of them, but | think
| must leave the choice to the lady
herself. Her name is no doubt famil-
lar to your ears-Miss w." and he
mentioned the name of one of the
best singers in Austria and central
Europe.
"Familiar!" replied the head of the
firm, 81 should think it was. She is
one of our best customers
Glow curious!" remarked the
Comnt. "Well, now, | want you to
send these three necklaces to the lady
and I will look in here tomorrow and
pay the bill. She will have made her
choice by that time.
with pleasure, Count, with plea
sure. I trust you will honor us with
your custom in the future. "
"Certainly will. Good afternoon.
And the Count was gone.
Herr X. pondered a few moments
over the whole transaction before
carrying ont the instructions. Every
thing, however, seemed in perfect
order. The young man belonged to
one of the best and richest families
| in the monarchy-provided, of course,
that the name he had given really be-
longed to him. Nobody knew the
members &c the family by sight, but
their palace was not far off, and-but,
no, there was no need OF sending ovel
to make inquiries, and there might be
some inconveniences, and the young
man might possibly like to keep the
transaction to himself Besides, there
could be no danger in taking the
.hings to the lady, for she was wei
known to the firm-one of the bes
customers, in fact-and ten diamont
necklaces would be absolute Y safe il
her hands. Anyhow, / will go mysel
and take them there" said the jewel
er, Sand see the thing through"
And he drove at once to the ad
dress given by the Count 1t was no
the address at which the diva hersel
had lived when she had last been II
his shop, but then she might hav
changed it lately, and in any case h
would see, and this question of he
address would prove II touchstone q
the Counts identity.
"Does Fraulein W. live here?' h
inquired of the doorkeeper as tn
hanson pulled up at the house.
"Yes, sir; moved in few week
ago."
"Ts she at home now?"
"Don't know, I'm sure, but | fame
she is out. She generally is out {
this time of day."
Herr X, however, went up stall
and rang the bell.
"Is Fraulein w. at home?"
eyes, sir"
! "Announce me, please" And