Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-01

rivaled fruitfulness. There is neither too
much sun nor too much rain. The lakes
and rivers are vast and beautiful, and the
forests are filled with myriads of strange
and sweet-voiced birds. IT'S said that the
dream of Ponce de Leon hath been realized
and that not only one, but scores Of foun-
tains of youth have been discovered in this
great valley. The people are said never to
grow old. Their personal beauty is of sur
passing nature, and their disposition easy
and complaisant to the last degree"
my faith, say orr broke in De la Chaise.
'Tis surely story of paradise which you
recount"
But, listen, gentlemenl The story goes
yet farther. As to mines of gold and sill
yer, twas matter of report that such mines
are common in all the valley of the Messa-
sebe. Indeed, the whole surface Of the
earth, In some parts. is covered with Jumps
of gold, so that the natives care nothing
for it. The bottoms of the streams. the
beaches of the lakes, carry as many parti-
cles of gold as they have pebbles and little
stones. AS for silver. none take note of 1t.
It's used as building stone"
I'm the name Of Jehovah. is there support
for these wonders you have spoken?" broke
In Fraslin the Jew, his eyes shining with
suppressed excitement
"Assuredly. Yet I am telling not half
Of the news which came to my knowledge
this very morning-the story Is said to have
emanated from the Palais Royal itself, and
therefore. no doubt. Is to be traced
to this same unknown queen Of the Mes
sasebe. She reports. so 1t is said. that be-
yond the country where LHuillier secured
his cargo Of blue earth, there Is a land
where grows most peculiar plant. The
meadows and fields are covered with it,
and 1t Is said that the dews of night, which
gather within the petals of these flowers,
become, in the course Of single day, moth
ing less than solid diamond stone! From
this in time the leaves drop down, leaving
the diamond exposed there, shining and ra-
diant."
"Ah, bahn' broke in Fraslin. the Jew
why believe such babblings? We all know
that the diamond is a product not OF the
vegetable but OF, the mineral world!
$50 have we known many things" stoutly
replied Varenne, "onlydp find ourselves fire.
quently mistaken. Now for nay part, dia-
mond Is a diamond. be 1t born in a flower
or broken from, rock And as for the ex-
cellence of these stones. tits rumored that
the lady hath abundant proof. IT'S no
wonder that the natives of the valley of
the Messasebe robe themselves In Silks and
that they deck themselves carelessly with
precious stones, as would peasant of ours
with chain Of daisy blossoms. Now IL
there be such wealth as this, Is 1t not easy
to see the profit of a bank which controls
the trade with such province? True,
there have been some discoveries In this
valley, but nothing thorough. Ills but re-
cent the thing hath been done thorough"
The Prince de Cont sat back in his chair
and drew long breath. III these things
be true" said he, then this Monsieur Las
is not 30 bad leader to follow"
'.But listenl" exclaimed varenne once
more. 81 have not even yet told you the
most important thing, and this is rumor
which perhaps your grace has caught IT'S
Las Is within fortnight TO be changed"
what is that?' quefied Fraslin quickly.
Ills not to be abandoned7"
BY no means. Abandoned would be
proved ernaY,f1ed Increased rnaSnfaefy Nv