The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-11-18
THE LOST EARRINGS.

1t was in the palmiest days Of the
second empire. 1t was an evening in
midwinter. The Paris season was at its
height and a brilliant audience had as
sembled at the Theatre Francois 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 a solitary, humble, black
coated civilian, in ordinary evening
dress, with the inevitable speck of red
at his buttonhole.
In a box almost Immediately opposite
that occupied by their imperial majes-
ties was a young and exceedingly hand
some Russian lady, Countess %Ivanoff,
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-
ton Of all feminine beholders. The
countess was accompanied by her hus-
band, q man Of distinguished appear
ance.
The curtain fell after the first act.
The emperor and empress withdrew
during the entr'acte. Many humber
mortals followed their example, among
them Count Ivanof, apparently in no.
wise disturbed by the fact that the
golden youth in the stalls were bring
ing a 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
~ 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,
o 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.
The count had been gone but a few
minutes, when there was a gentle knock
at the door, and in answer to the
countess "Entrez' the ouvreuse ap-
peared and said def~erentially:
pardon, Nine. la Comtesse, a gen
tleman charged with a 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 a few steps, and,
still standing in deep shadow, said,
with grave dignity:
Il trust my intrusion may be par
doned. / am desired by her majesty to
ask a favor Of Nine. la Comtesse, and,
at the same time, to beg that she will
have the goodness to excuse a somewhat
unusual request"
1.-The obligation will be mine if l can
fulfill even the least Of her majesty's
Wishes answered the countess.
1.-THE case is this" explained the
gentleman. IAN argument has arisen
concerning the size of the diamonds in
your earrings and those of the Countess
Woronzoff. The empress begs that you
will intrust one of your pendants to her
care for a few moments, as the only sat
lsfactory method Of disposing of the
vexed question. I will myself return it
the instant her majesty gives it back
into my keeping"
with the greatest pleasure, " agreed
the countess, detaching the precious
jewel forthwith and depositing it, with,
out misgiving, in the outstretched palm
OF the imperial messenger. The countess
bestowed a smile and gracious bow OF
dismissal upon her majesty's distin.
o~ASASA SAAoaooouOly VIM 1cspOuucu ny
a profoundly respectful inclination al
he made his exit.
Shortly afterward Count Ivanoff re
turned. Il have been talking to Du
mont, he remarked, as he seated him
self. Clever fellow, Dumont. I an
not surprised at the emperor's partially
Tor him. He must find him useful whe1
he is in want of an idea.n
"Who is Dumont?'' inquired tn,
countess, with languid interest.
"That is rather a difficult question, ,
replied the count, smiling. "Tbere ar
several editions Of his biographical
different, probably none Of them true
Look, he has just entered the emperor
box-the man in the black coat"
lis that II. Dumont?'' exclaimed tn
countess. IF 30, he has BEEN here Will
you were away. He came on the part q
the empress and carried OF one Of n