The Cairo bulletin., 1904-06-16

with smlo that showed his teeth as
they bit it incisiycly. First join me III I,
u glass, continued Mr. Mitchell
''Drink this ruby colored wine aud
pledge me that you will not repeat what
say This only because | do not wish
10 attain the uuenviahlo reputation OF
being a romancer, as | certainly should
If some reporter should hear and publish
tho story now while the loss Of the gem
is fresh in the memory Of all
Tho pledge was given, and Mr., Mitch
al continued;
"Ihat you might better appreciate
this stone, might begin with dlsSer-
tation on rubies, explaining to You the
difference between the true oriental gem,
which is rare of any magnitude, and tho
poorer specimens, known as splneis.
However, you would only accuse me Of
ventilating knowledge which has come
10 me through tho study Of my hobby /
will come at once to the story Of the lost
Jewel. Just where it was first found is
not accurately known, and Of its earlier
history | can only tell you what has
been told me Y0u may believe Us much
oras little as you like The history then
begins with tho finding Of Moses III the
hulrushcS and the subsequent gift to
him Of this ruby Ivy the daughter Of
Pharaoh, Thus we hear Of it first III the
royal house Of the Egyptians, There was
another gem. the exact counterpart to it.
This Pharaoh had among his treasures
and wore upon state occasions. WITH the
exodus of Moses and The IsracliteS the
ruby passed ont Of Egypt From that
time for many centuries its history IS
not marked by any great event, save
that wo learn that it was kept by the
high priests Of the synagogue and 50
passed down from generation to genera
ton Ono odd fact must not forget
The deep red color, as you know, is the
most priced The color Of this ruby ct
the present time is the most perfect III
existence Yet so the story goes, at first
the matched pair Of gems were OF a pale
rose color.
$40 you mean us to believe, " inter
rupted Mr. Randolph, THAT the color
has deeponed with timer
IL do not ask YOU e. believe anything,
But it is not timo that is supposed to
have improved the color With tho con
quest Of Jerusalem this jewel fell into
the hands of the Romans, and SO IN
time came into the possession Of Caesar.
In his courship Of Cleopatra ho soon
discovered that extraordinary woman
passion for respmdcnt jewels, aud he
was audaci0us enough TO present il to
her Fearing that this might re readily
traced to him WHOM the Jewel wac miss
ed, Us it would surely be, he told hor
fecrctly Of his purpose and then tied 1T
Gbont the neck Of pigeon, which few
with it directly to the palace Of Cleo
patra, who awaited the arrival Of the
bird on the ro0ftops The pigeon, when
nearly home, was attacked by a hawk,
and Cleopatra ordered one Of her archers
to slay the larger bird with his arrow.
This the man attempted, but struck the
pigeon which fell, bleeding and dead,
at the queens feet. She at once remQy-
ed the gem, which was covered with
blood and dyed with it rich red.
"But, Mr.. Mitchell" said Mr., Thau-
ret, surely ruby could not absorb
blood?'
at is the history Of the gem, P" Mr..
Mitchell spoke in SO odd tone that one
almost thought that, carried away by
his love Of precious stones, he had i'm
bibed some Of the superstition connected
with them. He spoke as though he be-
lievcd the tale Mr.. Barnes began 10
understand what Mr., Randolph had
meant whom be said that perhaps the
desire to possess a rare stone might
tempt this gentleman to commit crime
Mr.. Mitchell continued;
II need not follow the story Of Cleo
patra 1t is too we'll known But there
is an incident that has not been written
in tho general history Of her career.
There was an Egyptian priest who was
mally in love with her, and in mo
mcnt of impulse he dared to tell her Of
his attachment one day when alone with
her. She seemed slightly amused at bis
ardor, and asked what he, poor priest,
could offer her, who had rich rulers at
her feet. In desperation he answered
that he could give bis life. The queen
laughed and said. That is mine already.
But you priests claim to be all wise,
Find me the mate to my great ruby and
perhaps | will listen to your love plead
inQs. To her intense surprise the mar
replipd: That | could do if | dared
Tho gem which you bayo has but return
ed to its proper place. II was once Pha
raoh's. He also had the mato TO it
which from him descended through
kings to Rameses the Great. II is buriet
in his coffin Get it for me, was th'
torso reply Of Cleopatra, given now as
command rather than a request
''In fear the priest went into the pyr
amid and stole the jewel When IL
presented it to Cleopatra, she cried on
at him: What FOOLS trick Is this? d.
you think this pale stone match t.
minc?' The priest explained that her
had been dyed red in the blood Of TN
pigeon All, sol she replied. 'lheI
this one shall he also a richer red. 1ol
promised mo your life eHee claim II
and in your blood this stone shall b
stcepcd till it matches the other in col
or. She carried cut her threat and tn
two stones were once more mates.
tty{,t.at ~, .bsprditv - pxt.1aiupJ Mr.