The record-union., 1896-01-25
THE CZAR'S DIAMOND.

what does the Princess Prozoroyska
think of the diamond?"
1T is magnificent, worthy to adorn an
Emperor
''Such is the proud position for which
1t Is destined
Az the man speaks, ne turns the gilt
tering bauble this way and that between
his fingers, until, catching the rays
from the swinging lamp, its every facet
reflects the light in thousand flashes
OF prismatic fire.
Indeed" the Princess responds,
watching the play of color in the stone,
''then why do you seek this interview
with me?''
1.-The Princess" he answers, will
pardon my presumption, but I have
promised the brotherhood to fulfill their
mission, and / must perform my duty" :"
1.-The brotherhood? What brother
hood? Are you a nihilist, that you so
glibly speak the argot?"
"a nihilist!" he cries in alarm. do
you desire to ruin me? To breathe the
word nihilism is to court death. Is it
aikely that I, a prosperous diamond
merchant of st. Petersburg, would be
leagued with the enemies of the Car?
No The brotherhood Of which I speak
IS simply our union of jewelers. in St.
Petersburg, and they, knowing that
have always had the honor of the Prin-
cess Prozorovska's patronage = for
which accept my ever grateful thanks
commissioned me to fulfill their loyal
wishes"
@And those wishes are?"
''To beg the Cars acceptance from
us, the native jewelers. of st. Peters
burg, of this gold and diamond buckle
for his cloak"
What disinterested patriotism" she
remarks, and then, with an almost i'm
perceptible sneer, continues: But
surely it is not for the mere purpose of
enriching our Car that you wish to
give him so costly a jewel; is there not
some favor you seek in return-some
boon you have to crave at his imperial
maiesty's most bounteous hand?"
Your highness knows that st. Peters
burg, the city whose trade should be-
aong to the Russians alone, is invaded
by foreign artificers, who compete with
as in our own streets, and undersell Us
an our own market -pla es-Frenchmen,
who lure the patronage of our nation
from US with their temptingly dressed
shops. and we, the native jewelers.,
therefore ask our master to grant us his
protection by accepting this gift from
the patriotic citizens of our Queen OF
Cities. for where the Czar shows favor,
fortune needs must smile
''Yes. yes" exclaims the Princess,
srbut why not go to the Czar himself?
why come to me on such mission? CO
20 our Father, and his clemency will be,
as it always is to those who merit it, ex-
tended toward you
The man hesitated for moment, and
then. in apoIogetic tones, replies:
I'VE cannot but know, Princess, that
you hold power in this city. second only
TO that of the Car himself, and we feel
that a. gift coming through your hands
viii prove ali the more acceptable to
his imperial majesty
A momentary flash of satisfaction IL
Eliminates her features. a look which is
reflected in the face of her fiatterer, as
he realizes that his mission viii sue
ceed.
aWeI so let it be-" she replies al
length: leave the clasp. I will present
st myself to the Czar, together with
your many loyal wishes, and I can but
hope that the whole Of St. Petersburg
zvill follow in his train, and by patron
izing only our worthy native jewellers
help to I'LL their Golfers to repletion. >
With fervent expressions Of gratitude,
4be man places the jewel-case upon the
table and bows himself from the apart
ment.