Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-08

CHAPTER ".
Just as was entering the Windsor
house carriage halted in front Of the
family entrance, and a lady stepped out
and passed into the hotel. One glance
showed that she was the young woman
who left my store an hour or two before
after her purchase Of the small ruby and
her expression of admiration Of the
larger gem.
She saw me and bowed. The action
was SO unexpected that hurriedly lift
cd my hat. and suppose would have
made graceful response, but in my
confusion / struck the toe of my foot
against the step and almost fell ON my
hands and knees, my hat rolling severa,
feet away, / didn't dare look ut her,
but she must have laughed heartily.
while never came so near profanity III
my life.
It took some minutes to pull myself
together, and then my curiosity regard
ing the mysterious beauty led me TO
make inquiries OF the clerk. lie smiled
significantly at my assumed matter o.
fact manner, rs il to let me know he
understood that was another OF the
many that had been hit hard, but what
ever ne thought he was n gentleman.
Il would know whom you meant II
you had usod only half the words. Isn't
she beauty? Her name is Mrs. Darius
G. Howard, and she halls from Vienna
You could have knocked me down
with feather. The name precisely
except as TO the sex-of the man who
had placed Mana Sahib's ruby in my
hands to DO sold. The mystery was
deeper than ever Could IL be-but
what was the use? Any attempt at the
orizing, as wittner had said, could end
only in becoming hopolessly befosged.
BE good enough to send my card to
Mr. Saudhusen's room"
Three minutes later word came that
my friend was in his apartments and
would be glad to see me. / lost no time
in entering. shaking hands and telling
my story.
Sandhusen was q millionaire, and We
had been schoolboys. Having plenty OF
leisure on his hands. he expressed his
pleasure that had come to him With
such an interesting yarn.
"I'll go down with You and look n,
the stone, he said.
Il have brought it with me, and ]
opened the box and placed the gem IN
the palm Of the astounded gentleman.
His wonder and delight may be i'm
agined He fondled it rs il the simple
touch gave him pleasure. He stepped 10
the window in the glare Of the sun
light and seemed hardly tn breathe
while he drank in its marvellous beau
ties. Finally he resumed his seat III
front Of me.
1T surpasses anything / ever saw,
he said. with flushed face. "and he asks
only $50, o00:"
That is all. p"
at appears genuine.
at is genuine. | have submitted II
every test. and the fact is established
Brown, I'll buy it. I'll give you
check now"
Hold on, Geoffrey." l protested.
Don't be in hurry. Take time to con.
slider the matter "
But why should i take timer" he
asked impatiently. Some one else is
liable to secure it. Have you offered 1t
to any one?'
mo; forget. offered it to Mrs.
Howard this afternoon. "
Who's Mrs. Howard"
That East Indian woman stopping
a. this hotel. +"
Il have seen her. She is rich enough
10 buy dozen Of them at that price.
Ny friend seemed to think he had
made slip, and with just the fainfest
trace Of confusion corrected hims"lt:
II should say from her dress, looks
and manner that she was overburdened
with wealth. but then on1 can't know.
Why didn't she buy it::'
"She said she Wa too poor. have
offered it to no one else besides yourself
and will not do % until you have made
up your mind.
81 have made up my mind. confound
it! That fellow may change his and
take the thing away. That's what l
want to guard against. The only way
to prevent il is to close the bargain
now, and that's what will do. f"
well, il would seem that am not
the one to find fault; but, Sandhusen, !
am convinced that there is crooked bust
ness in this thing. The man can give
no reasonable pretext for passing Eu-
rope and bringing that ruby to this
country to sell. "
"Who wants him to give reasona-
BILE pretext? l am willing to take the
chances I'll pay You now."
said no more. He walked over TO
his desk, for his rooms were befittingly
furnished, drew out his checkbook.
wrote me an order for $50, 600, handed
it to me and said:
ssNoxy old falloyv 0iya mo the mid