The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-11-23

NGlit JOl w NGdA tICoC oOOACo Ah
remembrance of our diamond mystery
also confess that | want you to think
of p,e every time you put tdem on See
how conceited ! am Gnc dos rot like
30 be forgotten; that is Why chose dia-
monds.
Jennie took the string, her own eyes
for moment rivaling in brilliancy the
sparkle of the gems; then the moisture
obscured her vision, and she automatic
ally poured the stones from one hand
to the other, as if their scintillating
glitter hypnotized her. She tried once
or twice to speak, but could not be sure
of her voice, so remained silent The
princess, noticing her agitation, gently
lifted the necklace and elasped it round
the girls white throat, chattering all
the while with nervous haste.
"Therel You can wear diamonds,
and there are so many to whom they
are unbecoming l also look well in
diamonds; at least SO I've been told
over and over again, and I've come to
believe it at last. suppose the young
men have not concealed from you the
fact that you are strikingly good
looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, and this
is brag, if you like, we two resemble
one another enough to be sisters, nearly
the same height, the same color Of eyes
and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss
Handsomeness, and admire yourself .
She dragged Jennie to her feet ard
drew her into the room, placing her
triumphantly before the great looking
glass that reflected back full length
portrait
Now confess that you never saw a
prettier girl, " cried the princess glee-
fully.
''I don't think ever did," admitted
Jennie, but she was looking at the
image of the princess and not at her
own. The princess laughed. but Miss
Baxter seemed too much affected by the
unexpected present to join in the merri-
ment. She regarded herself solemnly in
the glass for a few moments. then
slowly undid the clasp and, slipping
the string of briliiants from her neck,
handed them back to the princess.
"You are very. very, kind, but can
not accept SO costly present.
"Cannots Why2 Have l offended
you by anything have said since you
came2'
"Oh, no, mol 1t isn't that. "
sWhat. then9 Don't you like me.
after all?'
''Like your love you, princessl'
cried the girl impulsively, throwing her
arms round the others neck.
The princess tried to laugh as she
pressed Jennie closely to her, but there
was tremor of tears in the laughter
''You must take this little gift as
souvenir of your visit with me- l was
really-very unhappy when you came,
and now-well, you smoothed away
some misunderstanding. I'm very
grateful And it isn't natural for wo-
man to refuse diamonds, jennie
II know it isn't. and / won't quite
refuse them. I'll postpone. It is posi-.
BILE that something shall do before
long may seriously offend you If it
does then goodby to the necklacel If
it doesn't, when / have told you all
about my misdeed-I shall confess cour-
ageously-you will give me the dia-
monds.
Dear me, Jennie, what terrible
crime are you about to commit Why
not tell me nowf You have no idea
how you have aroused my curiosity.
81 dare not tell you, princess, not
until my project proves a success or a
failure We women-some have our
way made for us; others have our own
way to make l am amcng the others,
and hope you will remember that. if
you are ever angry with me. ="
sis it a new kind of speculation. a
fortune made in day, gambling2'
Something of that sort. am going
to stake good deal on the turn of a
card; SO please pray that luck will not
be against me"
'If pluck will make you win, am
sure that you will carry it through. but
if at first You don't succeed, try, try
again, and if you haven't the money
I'll supply the capital. know l should
like to gamble Anyhow. you have my
best wishes for your success.
"Thank you, princess. I can hardly
fail after that -
The time had come when the two
friends must part. The carriage was
waiting to take Miss Baxter to the sta
tion, and the girl bade goodby to her
hostess with horrible feeling that she
was acting disloyally by one who had
befriended her. In her hand bag was
The invitation to the ball. and also the
letter she had written in the princess
name, accepting it, which latter she
posted in Meran. In due course she
reached London and presented herself
to the editor of The Daily Bugle
'Wen, Miss Baxter, he said, .syou
have been extraordinarily successful in
solving the diamond mystery. and con-
gratulate you My letter reached you,
suppose. Have you given any thought
to the problem that now confronts us
Can you get us full report of the
Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball. written
so convincingly that all the guests who
read it will know that the writer was
PRESENT.
sit is all question of money Mr..
Hardwick.
'Most things are. Well, we are pre-
pared to spend money to get just what
we want"
"How muchf''
Whatever is necessary"
That's vague Put it into figures. +"