Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-12
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The Mystery Of a Gem.
Loriginai.I
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


pawnbroker's shop In Paris. A youns
countryman and girl cat on cross
board Mt the fore end. the man 8
strapping fellow, the girl comcly anc
rosy as peony. The girl descended
from the seat and went into the pawn.
brokers. He was a white headed ole
man and. unlike most OF his trade be
nevoent looking
II would like, monsieur. II you woul0
he so Kind Ms 10 lend me hundrcc
| francs on this"
She produced pearl the size OF s
nutmeg. 1t was of very unusua
shade. The pawnbrokcr looked at Il
for long while. then said:
GLOW did you come by IT."
"Alphonse-Alphonsc Is to marry me
has had 1t ever since his mother died
We wish 20 be married, and we have
no means"
How long ago did Alphonsc's moth
or Ile:'
when Alphonse was baby, NOR.
than twenty years ago"
"And where did Alphonse's mother
get IT."
"Alphonse's mother was when youns
lady's maid to n countess. lust before
the countess death she gave 1t to hei
| maid. The countess died OF smallpox
and all but her maid had deserted her
did the countess say anything aboul
the value OF the giftT'
"ilow could she since she was dyina
and could scarcely speak? Don't you
think IL Is worth so much us hundred
francs? Can't you lend anything or
III" she asked anxiously.
Does Alphonse wish TO sell IT,
"Hc has kept It for his mother's
make. He never knew mothers love
hut lie thinks great deal about whal
his mother was like. IIe would rather
| pawn It."
There was look of truthfulncss and
Innocence In the girls face that VOL
the old mans confidence
| $50 you and Alphonse are lovers and
wish TO borrow 100 francs on this fol
the purpose OF being mnrrieh?'
"Yes. monsieur, II You think It Is
worth so much"
The pnwnbroker handed her four M.
| poleons. took her address and sent hcl
or 1ubllant. He saw her go out md
communicate her happiness to hei
lover by showing him the four shlnln?
gold pieces. Then they drove away
both talking ut once and gestlculatiug
Evidently they had never before hat
such wIndfall.
The pawnbroker possessed small
library OF books giving the history of
valuable articles. AS soon MS the girl
had gone he took down volume or
celebrated gems that had passed
through strange hands. Turning over
the leaves. he at last came 10 an ne
count OF the disappearance about 8
century and n half ago OF two large
diamonds from the English crown. A
pearl OF extraordinary size and lnstei
had disappeared ut the same time. Nj
trace had ever been discovered OF the
missing gems, aud after so long q
period no expectation was entertained
OF their recovery.
! Here was Il little gem the size OF the
| lin OF 4 lady's finger that peasant
had kept from his babyhood and was
doubtful IL he could borrow $40 on It
Had II becu displayed In Il jewellers
case. of the thousands who looked III
It not one would probably have seen
any difference between II and the large
| and brilliant Jewels resting beside 1t
But for half Il century this old pawn.
broker had done nothing hut inspect
valuable articles, chiefly Jewels. To
| him the pearl stood alone. Tint sing,i.
| lar something which has no Identity
no personality, no essence. but which
! wc call experience. told him that he
had In his possession gem that II
hundred and fifty years ago had been
| stolen from the English crown.
A week passed. The couple who had
nawued the Jewel We're celebrating
their Wedding day. There was little
wherewith to celebrate, hut they made
the most OF what they had A letter
came ny the post summoning them tc
| Paris at once to see the pawnbrokcr
| They We're much frightened. fearing
that they Were TO bc called upon TO re.
deem the pearl. and they had spent
| the money. Alphonse put the horse
In the wagon, and they drove into the
city.
When they reached the pawnbroker's
he sent them into private room,
where they waited half an hour in Tus.
pense. Then the pawnbroker entered
With man. an Englishman.
This is the couple" the former said.
You may question them II you Ike,
but you Will get nothing"
THE government Will be happy tc
pay the reward that has so long been
offered and ask no questions" replied
the other.
The Englishman took from wallet
three notes. two for $1,000 each and