Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-31

tatfon on rubies, explaining to you the
difference between the true oriental gem,
which is rare Of any magnitude. and the
poorer specimens, known as spinels
However, you would only accuse me of
ventilating knowledge which has como
to me through the study of my hobby. I
Will come at once to the story of the lost
Jewel. Just where it was first found is
not accurately known, and Of its earlier
history l can only tell you what has
been told me. You may believe as much
or as little as yen like. The history then
begins with the finding of Moses in the
bulrushes and the subsequent gift to
him of this ruby by the daughter of
Pharaoh. Thus We hear of it first in the
royal house of the Egyptians. There was
another gem, the exact counterpart to it.
This Pharaoh had among his treasures
and wore upon state occasions. With the
exodus of Moses and the Israelites the
ruby passed out of Egypt. From that
time for many centuries its history is
not marked by any great event, save
that we learn that it was kept by tho
high priests of the synagogue and SO
passed down from generation to genera
ton. One odd fact I must not forget.
The deep red color, as you know, is the
most priced. The color Of this ruby at
the present time is the most perfect in
existence. Yet, SO the story goes, ut first
the matched pair Of gems were of q pale
rose color.
do you mean us to believe, inter
rupted Mr.. Randolph, "that the color
has deepened with timer
II do not ask You to believe anything.
But it is not time that is supposed to
have improved the color With the con-
quest of Jerusalem this jewel fell INTO
tho hands of the Romans. and SO in
tirlc came into the possession Of Caesar.
In his courtship of Cleopatra he soon
discovered that extraordinary woman's
passion for resplendent Jewels, and he
was audacious enough to present it to
her. Fearing that this might be readily
traced to him when the jewel was miss.
ed, as it would surely be, he told her
secretly of his purpose and then tied it
about the neck of u pigeon, which few
with 1t directly to the palace of Cleo
patra, who awaited the arrival of the
bird on the rooftops. The pigeon, when
nearly home, was attacked by a hawk,
and Cleopatra ordered one of her archers
to Stay the larger bird with his arrow.
This the man attempted, but struck tho
pigeon, which fell, bleeding and dead.
at the queens feet. She at once remov-
ed the gem, which was covered with
blood and dyed with it rich red"
"But, Mr.. Mitchell" said Mr.. Than
ret. "surely ruby could Lot absorb
blood:''
1T is the history of the gen." Mr..
Mitchell spoke in so odd tone that one
almost thought that, carried away by
his love of precious stones, he had i'm
bibed some of the superstition connected
with them. He spoke as though he be-
ieved the tale. Mr.. Barnes began to
understand what Mr.. Randolph had
meant when he said that perhaps the
desire to possess a rare stone might
tempt this gentleman to commit crime
Mr.. Mitchell continued:
II need not follow the story Of Cleo
patra. 1t is too well known. But there
is an incident that has not been written
in the general history of her career
There was an Egyptian priest who was
madly in love with her, and in a mo-
ment of impulse he dared to tell her of
his attachment one day when alone with
her. She seemed slightly amused at his
ardor, and asked what he, poor priest,
could offer her, who had rich rulers at
her feet. In desperation he answered
that he could give his life. The queen
laughed and said: That is mine already.
But you priests claim to be all wise.
Find me the mate to my great ruby and
perhaps l will listen to your love plead
ings.' To her intense surprise the man
replied: That I could do if dared.
The gem which you have has but return
ed to its proper place. 1t was once Pha-
raoh's. He also had the mate to it,
which from him descended through
kings to Rameses the Great. 1t is buried
in his coffin Get it for me, was the
terse reply of Cleopatra, given now as a
command rather than a request
''In fear the priest went into the pyr-
amid and stole the jewel. When he
presented it to Cleopatra, she cried out
at him: What FOOLS trick is this? Do
you think this pale stone match to
mine?' The priest explained that hers
had been dyed red in the blood Of tho
pigeon. 'Ah, SOL she replied. Then
this one shall DO also richer red. You
promised me your life once. l claim it.
and in your blood this stone shall be
stepped till it matches the other in col
o. She carried out her threat, and the
two stones were once more mates. 3"
what an absurdityr" exclaimed Mr..
Randolph.
do not gay sc" said Mr.. Thauret.
"Wc cannot tell what may happen in
this world"
"The next change Of owners was
when Cleopatra killed herself. One Of
her handmaidens stole the two rubies,
but she herself was taken, q slave, to
Rome and sold. Her purchaser discov-
cred the rubies, took them from her.
and then secretly murdered her, lest she
might tell that he had them. From this
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