The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-16
THE AURORA DIAMONDS.

We're interested in the masquerade ball
which was given by the American Off
Gals to the distinguished Cuban officers
: at the close of hostilities and at which
function the diplomats of every country
were entertained, when all hostile feeling
: vas 10 be laid aside and peace and har-
mony were to prevail.
Every one present was in cos
tune. excepting one and he was the
5 most superbly and deliberately robed Of
any there.
The exception was Hindu prince
wearing the cloth of gold. which only
tEose OF the royal caste may wear, a
chaplet Of great pink oriental pearls ct
his neck, q jeweled sash about his waist
turban, the crest. a cluster OF oriental
jewels. covering his head.
He accompanied an inpersonation Of
the goddess Aurora. woman sumptu-
ousiy rcbed in transparent laces and
white satin overlaid with pearl en-
broidery. \ pale tissue OF white hoated
over the costume like a mist, and this
was accentuated by rose-red diamonds OF
i fabulous size and beauty. the jewels
forming into zone for her slender waist
and a tiara for her hair
Who is she? Who is she?'' was ask
ed with intense curiosity. At last 4
masker in the character OF Mephisto-
pholes answered
Who should she be in tow OF the orr
entail but old Lynde's daughter, the beau
tiful Anita, who has some foreign blood
although born in the neighborhood Of
Sixth avenue. New York. Her father
had some money, but hasn't much now.
and If the girl would save him from
bankruptcy she must marry her Hindu
right soon"
Bankruptcy, when he can give his
daughter dover OF diamonds fit for the
queen of Sheba. I thought il was she,
and the counterpart of King Solomon
sighed regretfully.
The diamonds are new to the far
Anita, said another Of the company.
this time woman dressed as Martha
Washington; Il presume they are a be-
trothal gift from her lover the Hindu.
Yet am told she has refused him twice.
Perhaps the diamonds are treasure
trove of some Cuban lord who has
abandoned them. Saw you ever finer
gems or any 70 compare indeed?"
Their brilliancy is unnatural-they
hurt the eyes. Can you estimate their
WORTH"
by my faith. no. Mine uncle would
advance several fortunes on them.
Hush They are coming this way. 1
feel dazzled''
There are representatives of every ma
ton on earth here tonight. II is a bit
weird. I believe that Hindu is mum
bling his prayers Did you hear
strange oracular chant as they passed p
What they had heard as Aurora ana
her Hindu prince swept by was appar-
entity said for the purpose of sustaining
interest in the character irnpersonated-
Il was intond monotOnously, and was
heard but indistinctly through the crash
o. music and the clatter OF conversation.
But a few caught the words. They had
a sound of foreboding.
DEATH DEATH FORGIVE. O.
GOD OF THE UNIVERSEt DEATH TO
THE INNOCENT. DEATH PARA
! MESHWARi FORGIVE THE SIN OF
\ CHRISTIAN"
Aurura's red lips paled as the fateful
words reached her. but she was not sure
she had heard Alright. 1t must be her
conscience that affrighted her.
Did you speak, Prince Sanyaka " she
asked in a low voice.
NO, Light of the World, l spake not
What has disturbed my Pearl of the Oc-
cident?"
Anita Lynde was playing a desperate
game to save her old father from the
/ disgrace of a failure in the great fnan-
/ cal scheme of which he was the promo
! ter. It was not the prospect OF poverty
that appalled, her FOR herself. butt for her
loved ones. 1t was not true that she had
rejected the Hindu prince-he had not
/ asked her hand in marriage, and she
feared that her lack of fortune would
remain a barrier between them. And she
was perpetuating crime for his benefit
that should have sent him back To India
had ne known it to grovel at the feet of
his gods.
Not that she believed il crime. She
was but following the example of a lady
CT high degree, who had done the same
! thing. Now her one fear was that her
prince might gain an mixing of the
/ truth, when her pretty conceit would in
/ his eyes become a deadly sin.
At the height of the revel the beautiful
| Aurora vanished as suddenly as IL she
| had been translated. Her Hindu prince
! did not accompany her. but at the mo-
/ ment of her sudden departure he stood in
/ the center OF the ballroom waving his
/ ieweled hands in semicircles in the air.
and after a revolution or two like a
! whiriing dervish he laughed. declared
I that he was forsaken by his goddess. and
/ joined with the rest In the further fes-
I tivities OF the night.
Aurora's diamonds and the peculiar ac-
tons OF the Hindu furnished food for
much speculative gossip after the ball.
1 The rumor went forth that the youps
| American girl had been followed that
! occasion by armed detectives. who were
/ present to guard her diamonds. that they
really were a betrothal present from the
| Hindu. and We're worth kings ransom.
But they were all wrong The diamonds
were her own, and her scheme had work
ed so well that confidence in her father
was restored and she had piloted his
plans to success. And Anita was be-
trothed to the Hindu the week succeeding
the ball
The annual American ball which has
just been held in Havana was graced
by the presence of the Princess sanyaka,
more lovely than when as Aurora she ap
peared there the preceding year. Gems
OF great value and diamonds like drops
of light decorated brow and bosoTn, but
they had not the subtle radiance Of
those Of a year ago. The prince was
dressed In the evening clothes Of an
American gentleman, and looked espe-
cially bright and happy. Before coming
TO the ball they had each made some
admissions.
Light OF my life" SAnyaka had ask
ed. why not wear the diamonds that
made thee queen at the last baii7"
The heart Of the princess throbbed vio- /
lenty. i cannot. ny prince. They-they |
Il no longer possess them. ~
4 would see thy custom. my Anita. |
Send the maid Tor It, my hearts de- !
light"
The beautiful head Of the Princess |
Sanyaka dropped. by sin has found |
me out" she said. but she sent for The |
dress. When the maid had unfolded K l
from tissue paper IN which, il was !
wrapped f. careful layers there were 4
visible only a Dildew of tiny black sYefs. 4
These were my diamonds. she said I
IN a low broken voice. and then she took !
her princes hand IN hers and led him 4
night was aslow with millions q tiny 4
lights eorrugating the atmosphere Ike !.
hosts o. electric SPARKS
we caught them IN nets-rny maid and 4