Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-05-11

The Count had been gone but few
minutes when there was a gentle knock
at the door, and, in answer TO the
Countess Enter" the usher appeared,
and said, deferentially:
Pardon, Nine. la Cont ssse; a gentle
man charged with a 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 looking
civilian she had already noticed In close
proximity to the Emperor in the I'm
perial box.
The visitor advanced few steps, and,
standing in deep shadow, said win
grave dignity:
81 trust my intrusion may be par
doned. I am desired by Her Majesty to
ask a favor of Nine. le Comtesse, and.
at the same time, to beg that she will
have the goodness to excuse a some
what unusual request"
The obligation will be mine If l can
fulfill even the least of Her Majesty's 5
WISHES Eeplleu lilt IOuhteSS
''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 the Countess
.Woronzoff. The Empress begs that you
wiz intrust one of your pendants to her
care for a few moments, as the only
satisfactory method of disposing of the
vexed question. l will myself return it
the instant Her Majesty gives 1t 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 Count
ess bestowed a smile and gracious bow
of dismissal upon Her Majesty's dis
tinguished ambassador.
Shortly afterward Count Ivanoff re-
turned 81 have been talking to Du-
mont" he remarked, as he seated him
self. Clever fellow, DumOnt. l am
not surprised at the Emperor's partial
ity for him: he must find him useful
when he is in want of an idea"
who is Dumont?' inquired the
Countess. with languid interest.
That is rather a difficult question:
replied the Count, smiling; there are
several editions of his biographical
different. probably none of them true.
Look. he has just entered the Emperors
box-the man in the black coat"
rs that NJ. Dumontf" exclaimed the
Countess; ''if so, he has been here while
you were away. He came, on the part
Of the Empress. and carried off one of
my earrings which Her Majesty wished
TO compare with one of the Countess
Woronzoff's."
"Dumont!. Impossible! l was talk
ing to him the whole time l was alb
sent"
Nevertheless. dear. he has been here.
and has taken my earring. See! it is
gone"
Effectively" agreed the Count, with
A grim smile; but Dumont has not
taken it. 1t is to the last degree un-
likely that the Empress would make
such request. Depend upon it, you
have been the victim of a thief made
up as Dumont.'
"ImposSibIe" cried the Countess in
her turn. The affair is absolutely as |
tell you. 1t was the veritable NJ. Du-
mont who came into this box and took
eway sly diamond. Only wait little.
and he will bring it back intact"
ITO wait a little is to lessen tha
chance of its recovery. l will go and
inquire of Dumont, if can get at him.
whether he has been seized with q sud-