The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-14
OUT AND ABOUT.

Ivers S. Paine of Saundersville writes
to The Spy, in which story of the re-
gent of Spain's opal is narrated. The
letter runs as follows:
While entertained at luncheon the
other day some of the table talk was of
gems and gem lore. l told the story of
the regent of Spain's opal. The tale
proved novelty in home where the
current magazines and new books are
in evidence. When Alphonso XII was
exiled from Spain he met in Paris the
countess de Castiglione. This fascinat-
ing lady was accounted the most beau
tifnl woman in all France. Alphonso
fell Violently in love with her and pro-
missed her if ever restored to his throne
she should share it with him and reign
queen of Spaine. In 1875 after the dissolu-
ton of the republic, he was recalled to
his throne and kingdom.
His early marriage with Mercedes
: Montpensier is a matter of history The
beautiful countess was thing of the
past. He had forgotten her, but she
had not forgotten him. An American
poet has said woman is more divine
than he, When kindly star vouchsafe to
shine on her nativity But this does
not describe woman scorned, Smart
Quilted love she sought out a dealer in
supernatural merchandise and obtained
an exceedingly brilliant opal that had
brought misfortune to every one of it's
possessors. She had it mounted in dia-
monds and sent 1t a wedding present
to Mercedes. Poor Mercedes! She fad
ed like a flower in summers drought
and died before the honeymoon's end
In the distribution of her effects the
opal ring fell to the grandmother who
shortly after caught the smallpox and
died in few weeks. A sister of Merce-
des next inherited the fatal ring and
quickly succumbed to its evil influence.
For many years the jewel remained
in the treasury of the house of Mont
pensier. During the winter of 1896 the
duke of Montpensier sent it to Queen
Regent Christiania. giving its sad histo-
~. he begged her to destroy the gem. In
place of complying with his request she
carried it to the royal chapel and with
golden chain hung it around the neck
of the virgin that presides at the altar.
To that hour the regents reign had been
prosperous. Soon revolution broke out
in Cuba and the Philippines. Conspira-
cies were rife at home. "Smooth-faced
peace and smiling plenty" fed the land.
And why? The Spaniards answer:
The holy mother was offended with the
gift Of the accursed opal" But it is an
exquisitely beautiful gem. An OLD
writer, mayhap, while looking at the
golden and vermilion fires that burn
and pulsate in the opals bosom said.
ut is pearl with an imprisoned soul .
The annual Young Women's Chris
tian Association conference opens to-
day and has already an enrolment of
over 400, the largest number yet reg
istered. The speakers next month are
Rev. F. 3. Meyer and Rev. G. Camp
bell Morgan Of London, Rev. S. A. Sell
wyn of Bournemouth and Rev. DR.. ].
G. Cunningham Of Edinburgh.
Edward A. Brown, treasurer Of Wor-
cester county, will attend the 18th an
nual meeting Of the State Association
OF County Treasurers, of which organ
ization he is president The meeting
will be held at Greenfield July 26, and
dinner will be served at the Mansion
House.
DR.. James Boyd Brady and his sons
leave on the gath for Bay View, two
miles from Old Orchard beach, TO be
absent until September.
Mrs. Charles S. Barton, George Bar
ton. J. Vernon Butler, Mr.. and Mrs.
Lincoln NJ Kinnicutt and Or. Aexan .
Ger II. Vinton sailed for Europe w III
nesday from Boston on the Canada.