Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-11-07
THE LOST EARRINGS.

height and brilliant audience had as
sembled at the Theatre Francais to wit
ness the performance of Jules Sandeau's
delightful play, ''Mademoiselle de la
Seigliere. ;"
The empress was present, graceful
and beautiful, the emperor at her side,
wrapped in his favorite air of gloomy
abstraction, which, like Lord Burleigh's
celebrated nod, was supposed to mean
SO much, yet which, viewed by the i'm
partial light of subsequent veracious
history, seems to have signified so little.
Several officers in glittering uniforms
were in attendance, sparkling with dec
orations showered upon them by a CRATE
full sovereign, and among these gallant
warriors, conspicuous by reason of his
attire, was q solitary. humble, black
coated civilian, in ordinary evening
dress, with the inevitable speck Of red
at his buttonhole.
In box almost Immediately opposite
that occupied by their imperial majes-
ties was a young and exceedingly hand
some Russian lady, Countess Ivanof,
concerning whose manifold graces and
destinations the great world of Paris
elected to interest itself considerably at
this period.
The beauty and the wit of this fair
northern enchantress were the theme Of
every masculine tongue and her mag
nificent diamonds the envy and admira-
tion of all feminine beholders. The
countess was accompanied by her hus-
band, a man of distinguished appear
ance.
The curtain fell after the first act.
The emperor and empress withdrew
during the eDtr 'acte. Many humber
mortals followed their example, among
them Count Ivanotf, apparently in no.
wise disturbed by the fact that the
golden youth in the stalls were bring
ing small battery of opera glasses to
bear upon the dazzling charms Of his
beautiful wife.
The countess leaned back in her lux
urious fauteuil, tanning herself, serene
ly Indifferent to the interest she was
exciting. In the dim light Of her cur
tain shaded box the glitter Of her splen-
did diamonds seemed to form a sort Of
luminous halo round her graceful head,
a myriad starry brilliants CLEANED
among the masses of her gold brown
hair, and two priceless stones flashed
and twinkled like twin planets in her
little shell tinted ears.
Io hxvk
minutes, when there was gentle knock
at the door, and in answer to the
countess "Entrez" the ouvreuse ap.
peared and said deferentially:
Pardon, Mime. Ia Comtesse, gen.
tleman charged with q message from
her majesty the empress waits in the
corridor and desires to know if madam
will have the goodness to receive him. "
Certainly Enter, beg of you,
monsieur" replied the countess as she
recognized the distinguished looking
civilian she had already noticed in close
proximity to the emperor in the i'm.
perial box.
The visitor advanced few steps, and
still standing in deep shadow, said
with grave dignity:
''I trust my intrusion may be par
doned. I am desired by her majesty tt
ask favor Of Mime. Ia Comtesse, and
at the same time, to beg tLat she viii
have the goodness to excuse q somewha
unusual request.
1.-THE obligation will be mine If car
fulfill even the least of her majesty
wishes" answered the countess.
"The case is this" explained th'
gentleman. "An argument has ariser
concerning the size of the diamonds il
your earrings and those Of the Counties
Woronzoff. The empress begs that 20,
will intrust one of your pendants to he
care for few moments, as the only sat
isfactory method of disposing of th'
vexed question. will myself return i
the instant her majesty gives it bacl
into my keeping"
with the greatest pleasure, agreet
the countess, detaching the preciou
jewel forthwith and depositing it, with
out misgiving, in the outstretched pain
Of the imperial messenger. The counties
bestowed smile and gracious bow o
dismissal upon her majesty's distin
guished ambassador, who responded b,
profoundly respectful inclination a
he made his exit
Shortly afterward Count Ivanoff re
turned. II have been talking to Du
mont, !" be remarked, as he seated him
self. "Clever fellow, Dumont. I an
not surprised at the emperor's partialit.
for him. He must find him useful whel
he is in want Of an idea. )"
"Who is Dumont?" inquired tn
countess, with languid interest.
"That is rather difficult question,
replied the count, smiling. "There ar
several editions of his biographical
different, probably none of them true
Look, he has inst entered the emperor
box--the man in the black coat. /"
tIs that M. Dumont?" exclaimed tn
countess. "If SO, he has been here Will
you were away. He came on the part c
the empress and carried off one Of m
earrings, which her majesty wished
compare with one of the Countess WI
ronzoff's !"
''Dumont! Impossiblel Twas tall
ing to him the whole time was absen
and he only left me at the top of tt
staircase two seconds before returned.
Nevertheless, mon ami, he has bee
here and has taken my earring. Seel
is gone"
Effectively, " agreed the count, wit
grim smile, "but Dumont has nj
taken it. it is to the last degree III
Children Cry 70
Pitchers Castoflas