Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-03-12

performance of Jules Sandeau's de-
lightful play: mile. 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 Bur1eigh's
celebrated nod, was supposed to mean
SO much, yet, which, viewed by the inn
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
grateful sovereign; and among these
gallant warriors, conspicuous by reason
of his attire, was solitary, humble,
black-coated civilian, in ordinary even
ing dress, with the inevitable speck of
led at his buttonhole.
In box almost Immediately oppo-
site that occupied by their imperial
majesties was young and exceedingly
handsome Russian lady, Countess Ivan
off, concerning whose manifold graces
ard destinations the great world of
Paris elected to interest itself consider
ably at this period.
The beauty and wit of this fair north
ern 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, man of distinguished appear
lrce.
The curtain fell after the first act.
Fhe emperor and empress withdrew
during the "entr'actc." Many hundred
mortals followed their example; among
Them Count Ivanoff, apparently in
nowise disturbed by the fact that the
golden youth in the stalls were bring
ing small battery of opera glasses
10 bear upon the dazzling charms Of
his beautiful wife. The countess leaned
back in her luxurious "fauteuil," fam
ming herself, serenely Indifferent to
The interest she was exciting. In the
dim light of curtain-shaded box, the
glitter of her splendid diamonds seemed
to form sort of luminous halo round
her graceful head; myriad starry
brilliants CLEANED among the masses
If her gold-brown hair; and two price
lSoo anu lWlhhlcd iihC
twin planets in her shell-tinted ears.
The count had gone but few min
1tes, when there was a gentle knock
At the door; and, in answer to the coun-
;ess' "entrez," the /ouvreuse" ap-
peared and said, defcrentially:
- Pardon, Nine. Ia Comtesse; a gentle
nan charged with message from her
majesty the empress waits in the cor
ridor and desires to know if madame
will have the goodness to receive him."
Certainly! Enter, l beg of you,
monsieur" replied the countess, as she
recognized the distinguished-look
civilian she had already noticed in close
proximity to the emperor in the inn
perial box.
The visitor advanced a few steps and,
still standing In deep shadow, said,
with grave dignity:
81 trust my intrusion may be par
doncd. / am desired by her majesty
to ask favor of Nine. la Comtesse,
and, at the same time, to beg that she
will have the goodness to excuse q
somewhat unusual request"
"The obligation will be mine if 1 can
fulfill even the least of her majesty's
Wishes" replied the countess.
"The case is this" explained the gen.
tleman. "An argument has arisen con-
cerning the size of the diamonds in
your earrings and those of Countess
WoronzoT. The empress begs that you
will intrust one of your pendants to
her care for few moments, as the only
satisfactory method of disposing of the
yexed question. / 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