The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-27
Mr.. Bernstein's Bouquet.

absence from England, coldlal voice
hailed me. and / found myself shaking
hands with Winstanley, my oid scnooI
and college chum
Come in to see the Delacour. / sup
pose?" he inquired. after the first ex-
changes were over.
Don't know the lady" 1 replied: You
forget I have only just come back from
the wilds of South Africa.
''whewr' he whistled gently; why.
she's the talk OF the town, and shes
perfectly ripping
The rising of the curtain put an end
10 our remarks. but, prepared as l had
been by Winstanley's enthusiasm. con-
fess l was staggered when the Delacour
entered, clad in a most bewitching cos
tune of pale pink. She was an exceed
ingly pretty woman OF medium height,
plump and pleasing figure, with merry,
saucy face. and beautiful brown, glossy
hair.
But her diamonds!
/ know something OF precious stones,
and 1 fairly gasped when 1 saw these.
They looked genuine, and, II so, were
worth at the very lowest computation,
$3.50, OC0
Great Carbonr 1 whispered to Win
Stanley. ARE they real.''
Absolutely" he replied: Il happen to
know their history. It's curious one
encore 1 had fallen IN love with her-and
her diamonds.
When the show was over I dragged
Winstaniey off to my rooms. planted him
in an easy-chair, put out the usual crea-
ture comforts and demanded the history
OF the diamonds.
well, old chap" he began, smiling at
my eagerness. have you ever heard of
Rernstein?'
What! The sextuple miilionaire?" 1
cried for even in South America one
hears of millionaires like Bernstein.
"Thk same responded Winstanley;
well, the diamonds came from him.,
"O-ohn' / cried, disappointed and dis
illusioned
mot a Bit" he said, warmly. ''The
Delacour'e as good as she Is pretty. and
if you'll only have patience
Fire ahead" l said; Il won't inter
rupt again."
when / left college," resumed Win
stanley, IT went, as you know, out TO
South Africa in search of sport. After
some magnificent shooting, chance took
me to Kimberly, which at that time
was in its infancy. There 1 struck up
an mountaineering with Bernstein, who
had already accumulated pretty hand
some fortune by ]. D. B.-you know
what I mean?"
l nodded assent, having already seen
something Of Illicit diamond buying in
Brazil
Bernstein" continued my friend. was
not a bad chap-outside businessman
was universally respected as one of the
ceverest of the many clever rogues who
formed the early population of the blue
clay town In the early days l. d. b.
was carried on fairly openly, but shortly
after my arrival a change came over the
scene. The government woke up; new
and stringent laws were passed. The old
and more or less venal officials were re-
placed by smart, trustworthy men, with
a commission on results, and, in short,
things were made very uncomfortable for
tn l. D. B. A good many retired from
the business in disgust, while not q few
took up an involuntary residence on
Capetown Breakwater, but Bernstein held
on and continued to add to his store. /
need hardly say that he did not do this
without interference from the police, but
he was too clever for them, and the
most they could do was 10 prevent him
getting the stones out of the country.
However, after about six months
even Bernstein began to grow desperate.
He had about 500 900 worth of diamonds
on hand, but try as he would he could
not get even a small parcel away, and
once or twice was within an ace Of be-
ing caught.
Shortly after this comic opera com
pany paid US a visit, and among the art
lists was the Delacour Ii was the first
company to visit Kimberley, and natu-
rally they had a royal welcome and
good time generally. No one came in
for more admiration than the Delacour,
and among her suitors was Bernstein;
but after few days fairly rapid firta-
Iad n aim q
ignored him most pointedy. Bernstein
did not seem to mind very much, and
bore the subsequent chaff with easy in
difference.
At last the night came for the farewell
performance, and there was scene or
unbounded enthusiasm When the Deia-
cour finished her great song the air was
thick with bouquets and other floral Of
ferings. ! had dropped into Bernstein's
box rather late. and was therefore not
little surprised when Bernstein pro-
duced a magnificent bouquet from under
his chair and flung 1t on the stage.
don't suppose a dozen people noticed.
II was present at the station next day
when the company started for Capetown,
en- route to England, and when ] no.
ticed that the Delacour was carrying
Bernstein's bouquet, which l recognized
by its ribbons, I twigged his little game,
but I did not say anything.
The tees were there, Of course, and
gave the company's things good over
hauling. but they were not hard-hearted,
and several small parcels representing
farewell gifts were allowed 10 go
through A few days after the boat had
sailed for England Bernstein announced
his intention Of going home Kimberley
was getting to see the end of spectacle.
and T wanted to see the end Of this little
plot, so I decided to accompany him
Personally I had not the least DOUBT
as to the whereabouts Of the diamonds,
and when we reached London and drove
tn the X hotel, 1 was not surprised TO
hear Bernstein inquire eagerly II Miss
Delacour were staying there.
Miss Delacour left the day before
Yesterday. SIR replied the clerk
bernstein grew pale. but revived as
the clerk added:
she left a letter TO be given to Nr.
Bernstein
"'Yes. YES. that's nv name said
Bernstein. ,mpatiently; give me the let
ter He grabbed II roughly and tore
open.
well. I've seen men in rage before.
but never have seen such passion nor
heard such appalling language as Bern
stein gave vent 10 when ne had glanced
a. the letter The hall speedily filed 80
I dragged him into the biliard-room,
which. fortunately, was unocoupied-
Moaning feebiy that he was ruined
nan. Re handed over the letter. Il read
as follows:
My Dear Mr.. Bernsteln-How can
ever thank you sufficiently for your truly
magnificent. priueely gift | had no idea
until I came 10 unwfre your charming
bouquet what treasures i contained. and
as 7 have already said. I dc net know
how to thank YOU I should feel scrupies
in accepting such Z splendid Offering dia
not feel that perhaps the inclosed = a
s,,~firssrt euia PRO QUO. With renewed