The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-03
JEWEL MYSTERIES
Bv MAX PElMBERTOW.
TREASURE OF WHITE CREEK.
Copyright, 1904 .


as the society papers said. had danced |
with her for the first time in the ballroom |
of the magnificent house her father had |
rented in Grosvenor Crescent, on the oc- |
casion of her coming of age, and agreed |
with the men that she was beyond cr1tl-
ciSm, an exquisite vision Of dark and |
matured girlhood, so incomparably fas-
cinating that you forget in her company
some Of her bluntness in speech, and set
down the voluptuousness Of her glance i
and mien to the southern luXur1ance
amidst which she had been reared, and
to those "other" notions which prevail In
Chile the land of fleeing republics.
Some part of this perhaps unnecessary
adulation may have been due to the fact
that had helped in the production OF
her perfect picture on the night Of which
am speaking. The commercial element
will intrude at such times, and I could
not help but see that she wore at least
eight hundred pounds worth Of my jew
OILS. Had the value of them been double,
1t would have been the same to me, for
OF her fathers stability I had then no
doubt. He had been received and made
much of in the highest places, accorded
the chief seat at the feasts. entrusted-as
the old ladies told you-with the most I'M
portant missions by government, and
share in the Western Hill diamond mine
at South Africa was not the least sub
stantial factor in the sum of his income.
Any and every gem to which he took
q fancy had let him have readily, being
assured by an important parsonage at the
embassy that his credit was unquestion-
able and it was pretty pleasure to me
when first met his daughter to OBJ
serve how well my diamonds sat upon
her, and how shapey were her arms
clasped in the ruby bracelets which had
been amongst the treasures Of Bond street
but three months before. She was, in
deed, q sunny child Of the south radiat-
otpp fph
you to wait long for single press Of
her hand, Turing you to follow the sparkle
of her eyes even when she looked at
you over the shoulder Of a dancer who
for the moment had the privilege of hold
Ing her in the enhancement Of the deux
temps. There was keen contention for
her program, but somehow I found her
disposed to favor me, and danced no less
than four with her, to the infinite an
noyance Of the many youths who eyed
me angrly from their watching ground
by the door. They said that they had
never seen her brighter, and I was ready
to believe them, for she kept her tongue
going merrlly thru the waltzes, and leaned
upon my arm in a languorous way that
was completely entranctng
next being some new-fangled Barn
Dance" wherein men scarce put
their hands upon their PARTNERSHIP said
that she would sit in the conservatory and
eat ices; and for the first time during the
long evening I found myself able to talk
easily with her.
"Well," she said when we had composed
ourselves behind huge fern, and mac
made u successful attack upon the me.
ringues glaces, well, this Is about splen
did; don't you think so?'
I said that nothing could be moro de-
lightfu
And to think that I've never danced
will wi i,,ct
feet" she went on. IT haven't enjoyed
myself right along like this since was II
Valparaiso
Are the Chleans such wonderful dan
GERS them" I asked, as she looked up a
me beWitchingy.
They just make a profession Of 1t be
tween the shooting times" said she; AM
then, changing the subject quickly, sh
asked, What do you think Of the crys
tails, now I've got them on?'
1t Is not particularly consoling to hea
your rubies spoken Of as crystals, but he
description was accompanied by such
pretty laugh, and she opened her grea
black eyes widely, that smiled when
answered:
They're to be envied in such sci
ting"
You're the fourth man that has said tn
same tonight" she exclaimed, putting he
glass down and Juggling at her glove. .
think that Britshers learn their conpl
ments out Of copybooks; they're all pres
ents for good girls. Let's see if your
cleverer at getting a glove on than
making pretty speeches.
The arm that she held out was glorious
ly white, and, every man knows, tt
operation of pulling on the glove Of
pretty girl is apt to be prolonged. Thei
are fingers to fit and a little thumb
stroke daintily, while the grip upon tt
substantial part Of the forearm W
bear repetition SO long as time serves.
must have occupied myself at least fl
minutes with her buttons, she finding
necessary to press close to me when I d
80, and the task was none the less plea
ant when her rich brown hair touched n
face and her dress rusted with her lon
drawn breathing How long the proce
would have lasted or what I should ha
said foolishly in the end, I do not kno-
but of a sudden she drew her arm aw
and exclaimed:
''Oh. I'd quite forgotten; wanted
ask you about the bullseye."
This was her description, may me
ton without anger, Of the famous VIII
Creek diamond, which, as all Lond
knows, I have had in my possession
the last two years. Her father, who W
reputed to have some commission to
1t for a Persian, was then negotiate
with me for it's purchase for the sum
4 loO,VOV. TIC waited only, ne SalQ, Tor
coming Of his partner from Valparaiso
complete the transaction; and it was o
ing to the intimacy which the pour p;
lers brought about that I found mys
then in his house. How much his daus
ter knew Of the business, however
could not tell, and I answered her gu
ton by another.
What do you know about the blu
eyer"
THAT you're trying to sell it to
father she replied, land that he VIC
promise to give it to me-"
Have you asked him, then?'
Have I asked him--Why. look at h
isn't he ten years older since he met
in Bond street?"
r. He certainly seems to have someth
on his mind" said I.
"Thats me; he's got me on his min
] she remarked fippantly; but wish
I buy the bull's-eye, and give it to me
! q wedding present.
/ ooh, you're engaged" ventured d
fully; you never told me that
Didn't II" she answered, well
I course am, and here's my partner"
j. She went away on another mans a
( but she left to me q vision Of dark
and ivory-white flash; and her breath
i seemed to blow balrnily upon my f
head. Her partner was a young
Just down from Oxford they told