The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
THE QUEENS NECKLACE

ers, but Max was too rough for her, and
she preferred to sit beside me in the old
summer-house with book to playing ten
mis- with him.
My post, though a very busy one, would
not have been unpleasant but for the cold
ness with which Lady Alicia treated me.
IL seemed to me that while she approved
or all that 1 did for her. she disliked me
personally. No tinge of cordiality ever
colored her accents when addressing me.
AT the end of six weeks / was as far
apart from her as on the day Of my ar
rival. Max, usual. noticed and COM
mented upon this.
Truth is, you're far too nice looking
Miss Marshall Aunt sees that people look
at you because you're so pretty. You're
Just her opposite, too dark and slight.
heard her say to Lady Masterton that one
never knew If one could trust dark peo-
plev'
In his rough, boyish way Max did all
he could to make up to me for his aunt's
GOODNESS. He called me a good chum,
read me the jokes out of his boys papers
when 1 was sitting over some sewing of
Lady Alicia's in the summer house, and
when 1 could be spared, took me for a row
on the lake in the park
So things went on until his friend, Fred
Somers, came Somers was as wild as Max.
Indeed, 1 thought he inspired most of the
mischief that was done after he came. 1t
was he who egged Max on TO climb the
ruined tower in search of starlings' nests;
who made him ride bare-backed an un-
broken colt at the risk of his life who sug-
1 I'm ba h-o hair nlo
| in it when they went for swim in the
| lake, and diving for the watches which
they had left in their vest pockets and
| which, needless to say, they never recov-
/ ered
| However. all these amusements palled in
time, and one day 1 came upon the boys in
the hall in deep consultation.
| Plotting fresh mischief" 1 said.
mo mischief at all, Miss Inquisitive! ]
want to Aunt Alicia. Where is she?'
And saw from his manner that he was
not very sure of his courage carrying him
all the way he wanted to go now.
He ran off to the blue drawing room, in
which Lady Alicia, disabled by an attack
of rheumatism. used to spend the day al
that time. while Somers said to me:
I'VE want to go to the races"
He won't get leave to do that" I an.
swered.
"Why not?"
LADY Alicia strongly disapproves OF
horse racing"
Just like a woman" And Somers
turned away, and began teasing Commas.
Max was gone quite a long time, ant
came back at last looking very wrathfu
and very red in the face.
Won't let u.s. he said.
"You shouldn't have asked" said Somers
eve should have taken French leave, anC
heard what she had to say when we came
back"
That wouldn't work." said Max. who's
parents had impressed upon him the neces
sity of remembering that he his aunt
heir.
| WELL" yawned Somers, there's moth
ing to do. It's awfully stale"
"Awfully STALE" echoed Max. 'Thanl
goodness. term begins the day after to
morrow
Just then a footman came with a messag
from his mistress.
Her ladyship says that If Mr.. Hether
ington and Mr.. Somers will come to tn
blue drawing room, she will ask Miss Mar
4 Sndll 10 DrlnS uOWI JSWCiS WHICH 81
| promised to show them"
stuff! Who wants to see jewels?" erie
Max. Does she think we're girls?'
Looks like it, sneered Somers.
Lady Alicia has some very rare gems.
believe" said /, and led the way, Will
they hung back a moment and then fol
lowed.
Lady Alicia looked up from her reading.
, 'I am sure you must both have sens
enough" she said. addressing the boys, 1T
see that the race course at Tadcaster is nc
quite the place for boys Of your agt
There's no need to look so glum, Maxwell
, | You have brought about your own disaI
pointment by allowing yourselves to i'm
agine such a thing possible. I wish t
compensate you, however, for any chagri
, you may feel, and you will find that yo
can pass an hour as happily among m
, treasures as upon the turf, trust. Mis-
| Marshall, will you bring the inlaid cabins
from my dressing room?"
1 brought the cabinet-a beautiful litt
. chest of Eastern workmanship. had ofte
| heard Lady Alicia's collection spoken
? | and was eager to have an opportunity
! | seeing it. Lady Alicia opened the cabin'
i, with a tiny gold key she wore on h
4 | watch-chain.
4 One half of the cabinet was fitted wit
little drawers; the other half with shelvt
}, only. From each drawer in turn she DIRE
o forth Jewels which she wore on great o.
casions. They were remarkably fine, ar
4 the display OF necklaces, bracelet
n brooches, rings and ornaments for the Ia
o was such as to make most women's hear
. ache with envy.
But it was when Lady Alicia began to e,
= hibit her historic gems that the intere
8 came for me, for her collection of the'
h treasures was unique. Two tiny diamor
" shoe-buckles grudgingly bestowed by Quet
Z | Elizabeth on a maid-of-honor; snuff-bC
{ of Charles III. a sapphire pin worn by Prin
d Charlie, and given by him to an ancestor
Lady Aricia's in acknowledgment of sa
v hiding furnished him by the family; ril
4 worn by Montrose, and other relics. to ea'
v of which was attached some romantic stor
n -