The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-06-28
STORY OF ThE
SIlUGGLED 8APPHIRE8, ~

Ff 800 JAs a4rILAfI -
ros' 90 east nntal I reaehen The nape OF
iieF neck. Al that point he pauz1d and de-
iiboIitely iaised tho handsome. closely
lace COLLAR that covered her dress
and hnHs around her neck and shouleerg.
Has hand struck a hard. glittering sub
The look OF triumph that flashed
across his face told it's own story.
Mrs. Harrington was wearing the Yer
sailles sapph.res.
No words were spoken, but at the very
instant he discovered the necklace she
realized what had happened. natural
pailor OF her countenance became intensi-
he'd. a half sob escaped her. The next
instant she looked up, her gray eyes filed
with fright, The chief was equal to the
occasion.
'Iou needn't be frightened; there Will
be no public exposure"
Elsie, happening to glance that way, no.
ticed her aunt's agitation. She walked
over.
What's the lnatter?"
Nothing, madam" replied the chef,
With the easy manner which had Won for
him in the service the title of the Prince
of Politeness. Your aunt has forgotten
to declare some gems. You VIII come with
me to my office on the dock and the bust
ness will be quietly adjusted"
This is outrageous" began the older
woman, recovering herself. But the chief
cut lGT snort.
1T is he observed, land I'm sorry YOU
attempted it,"
The count came up at this moment and
when he saw what had happened his girn-
.etlke eyes appeared to be almost turning
IN their sockets. Instantly Barnes called
Clancy to his side. There was "a WHISPERED
conversation. AS it was concluded the
count disappeared in the crowd. Clancy
was at his very heels.
'C'nrlla rtoht +l,i. ,-a,, ST. -, ~
chief led the two women to the little of
ilce near the end of the wharf.
After they had been seated the chief
gently released the sapphires from Mrs.
Harrlngtoa's neck and laid them on his
oesk. They answered perfectly the de-
scflpt-oh OF the Versailles sapphires. There
were forty of the stones. all cut with the
EXQUISITE art of the skilled lapidary. Mrs.
harrington sat silent, with the look of
injured dignity omfnon to those who vio-
iate the customs laws. The girl buried
her race in her hands, weeping. The APP
pra-ser, Who had entered in the mean
time, looked at the gems listlessly. Later
ne would be called upon for his official
opinion. Presently the older woman
spoke harshly:
Nov if you are quite done. nerbans-"
The chief silenced her. sternly but DO
litetly.
Not now, Mrs. Harrington. Your OPP
p~ortunltN may come later. Now if you
WI all step aside for a moment, L should
like to speak to Mrs. Harrington alone"
TITS necessary" said the chief, with
hat compelling wave of the hand.
Now, Mrs. harrington" said Barnes.
when the others had obeyed. all I will
say Is that YOU should make a full, frank
and explicit statement"
1t took her some time to get her cour-
age screwed up to the striking point. f.
nally' half tearfully, she burst out:
In dear count CAV them to me-"
The dear count eh?' mimicked Barnes.
d you know the value of these gems?"
II haven't the f~aintest idea" she said.
II will be frank and tell you l only know
the count IS desperately in love with Ell
sic, and l have tried to help his suit.
He IS to be our guest in the city. Just
before the customs officers came aboard.
In a burst of gratitude, he bade me wear
the sapphires, as a little souvenir of my
kindness to him. 1 naturally felt fat
tered. 1 accepted and
Didn't You know they were dut:able? %
Barnes asked. sternly.
I wasn't sure. l thought a present-a
thing you Wore-'
But You tried to conceal them under
your lace collar"
The government hasn't my right
1AsSh ny ciliN3 lIel SlODDCQ
short. her face as red as a rose.
All the time they were speaking the
chief had his eyes on the ~sapphires, which
lay on the desk before him. He now ex-
amined them critically by means of a lit
tie magnifying glass he had pulled from a
drawer OF his desk. AS he took the .nstru-
ment from his eye he smiled in an eng
lhatlc manner. He was about to speak
when the door burst open suddenly and
Iasson bolted into the room.
'Fi1ls.e:" he shouted at sight of the oir,
again.
John she cried with unraistal5ab,e de-
light.
They would have been in each others
arms had not Mrs. Harrington arisen and
interposed.
Stop she exclaimed, angrily.
The young lawyer retreated before his
enemy. The girl looked at her
aunt defiantly.
What would Count dc Tontain say %
She queried, turning to Else.
II don't know, and l don't care cried
the girl p~assionately. Were not in
France now; were in the United States
"BfaVo." Whispered the chief in her
ear.
Sir" said the aunt, turning to Barnes.
II trust you VIII not dctain US any long
Where is the cunt? asked the chief.
The count replied Mrs. Harrington
with some dignity, has AN engagement to
din with us at $ o'clock this evening""
>hIadam," said the chief, bow.ng iron
ically, Il can assure you that tie govern
ment would rot think of Interfering with
Your social duties. You can call in the
to dispose OF this business
"Thanh you" she said, gratifed at his
condesceAd.ng manner. Come, Elsie"
II so on one condition." said Elsie stout
ly, and it is that ~John-that Mr.. Hasson-
dino with us
The aunt was about to break out in a
rage. but She relented, as if making the
best OLA bad situation.
"All right" she said doggedly.
AS they were leaving. the ambitious
woman sighed heavily.
The count will be disappointed at Sec
ing me without the sapphires."
The chief was on his fee. in an instant.
MY dear madam he said in his softest
tones, IF it is of any noment you can
a the sapphires with you. and will
call for them later i'll tho evening""
Thank you very much.'' she said, with
the first sign of graciousness she had
shown. II Will avail myself of your kind
offer"
Are you going mad?" cried the an
praiser, turning to Barnes after the little
party mad LETT the room You'll never
those sapph.res again.
kY I.~ --.-