Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-29
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business is private matter. I will not
detain YOU five minutes
Then shall we so UP to my parlor
Mrs. L'Estrange and Mrs. Prioleau. l
hope you will excuse me- and MRS. Van
Booss rose and trailed away toward the
elevator. a slim and graceful figure, i'll
soft crepe de chine draperies.
Two minutes later found them at the
door of luxurious sitting room, and Is
the lady switched on the light she turned
and looked at her companion with inter-
rogative expression In her wonderful
black-lashed eyes.
What" she asked herself. could be
his errand? Had this handsome. and pos
sihly penniless, young nobleman heard of
her millions? and was he yet another
sutton for her hand?"
Her experiences since she had become
a widow were SO various and eXtraordi-
nary that she was now incapable Of sur
prise. This stranger was good looking.
well dressed and undoubtedly foreigner
of distinction.
II have come he said. seating himself
in answer to her gesture. "all the way
I believe is In your possession pause.
then he added 1T is an old-fasfioned
necklace. composed of strings of pearls,
with clasps and pendant"
one you mean. delightfully."- old and quaint
Il saw 1t at lie Vey's and took a fancy
to 1t on the spot. Was it stolen?''
NO it was disposed Of. 1 regret to say.
by a member of my family We are ex-
tremeiy anxious to recover 1t.
mo doubt
"Wil you permit us to purchase it from
you?"
Since you have come so far in its
quest and are so attached to the necklace
I must. of course, say yes. But I, too.
am attached to it: must tell you quite
frankly. love old things. and this orna
ment looks to me as if it had a romantic
history
That is true"
'rhen in exchange for my treasure
trove. will you tell me its tale-it is all
1 ask and she smiled into his face.
Madam. your request is a command,
! will do my best. but I am a poor story
teller
resting his elbow on the table he began,
and by gradual degrees, and in pictur-
esaue and vivid language, related the his
tory Of the we'll known Luck OF the Sara
zins He talked well. he talked impress
sively. while Mrs. Van Beoss sat wonder
Ing and enthralled; her delicate Vandyke
hands loosely locked in her lap, her eyes
fastened on the animated historian. She
felt herself summoned to the company
Of kings and queens; to jousts, duels and
stately ceremonials-to all of these the
Luck of the Sarazins ushered her ro-
mantle Imagination, and the moving re-
cital was most ably seconded by this
handsome young mans expressive eyes.
He was so we'll favored, ardent and e1o-
quent. that he might have been one of
her own cavalier ancestors.
Well she said at last. what you
have told me has just been thrilling, and
now I will go and fetch the necklace. I
am so glad to have it in my power to re-
store 1t to you-and to Spain. Oh, what
a possession! What an heirloom. I am
a good deal set on heirlooms myself. |
have one miniature of my great, great
great grandfather, Ropert Lascelles, that
I would sooner die than be parted from,
SO you see. understand your feelings
and can sympathize from my heart"
With the last word she left the room
and Paul. with a throbbing pulse. was
aware Of her movements in the next
apartment. where there was sound OF
steps and a pulling out Of drawers At
last the lady returned, carrying In her
hand shabby round red case
Now here 1t is" she announced, with
her gentle drawl, there is your precious
historical relic.
Paul received the case in silence. and
spread on the tale q necklace with pearl
chains and a pendant. but 1t was one he
sarazins' was still to seek; 1t eluded him
like q will o. the wisp. Surely 1t was
possessed of the demoniac spirit, at
tributed by Goethe to certain inanirnate
objects.
companion. as she caught sight Of his
CHASTITY face.
'.Is this what you bought from LIE
veyf" he stammered, and drops Of per-
SEPARATION stood upon his forehead as he
spoke.
''why yes-is there any mistake-what
is the trouble?"
Great trouble to me. madam-this is
not our necklace
"why, you don't say! Well. Pm real
sorry for you. but glad for myself. Who
ever this belonged to. MS rare old
thing" picking up the necklace which
had hung In Dominguez:s window. AS
he did not speak she continued NO"
what will you DOR
Return home at once he replied. with
an effort. drawing out as he spoke
handkerchief to wipe his forehead.
"Ah." she exclaimed. Il see you have
for you-you have been on the wrong
trail. but hope you will find the heir
loom yet"
Never" he groaned never. Ny father
was right. the Luck OF the sarazins is
II feel truly grieved for you" she said,
laying her fragile hand on his coat sleeve.
II dol sympathize-I know what 1t
means II you must return there's a
train tonight to New York. and boat
to Liverpool tomorrow. But why not
stay a little, should like to show you
round"
You are too kind, Mrs. Van Booss. but
1 must leave at once. I am sorry to have
troubled you for nothing. Please tell the
Miss Lisks. who were so interested-that
my search has been fruitless," and with
repeated apologies and thanks. the Mar
uuis de Sarazin effected his departure.
When Pedro was summoned by his mas
ter Immediately after the interview and
heard him say: I'VE start tonight at IL
O. clock for New York and sail tomorrow
morning." he realized without further ex-
PLANTATION that the long journey had been
In vain-the quest had failed! The neck
lace seemed to Pedro to be now the curse,
and no longer the luck. OF the Sarazins.
Oh. what a stir. what fury, and what
madness. over just q woman's trinkst!
The Marquis de SaIazin had spent ex-
actly seven days in the states. and re-
turned to Europe in a condition Of the
deepest depression. Constant railway
travelling and continual anxiety had upset
his health. and the Paul who landed in
Liverpool was a hoIlow-eyed haggard
specter Of himself. What q tale to carry
to his father! What puzzle to olsen
tangle! Where was the necklace? Car
valho swore-and he was an honest man
that he had sold it to lie Vey. and yet
the article in New York was mere ordi-
nary sixteenth-century ornament. AS he
Travelled nearer to his native land his re-
jections became gloomier and yet gloom
Ter Ponder as he might, he could see no
ray of light I'm any direction; his thoughts.
however were distracted at st. Sebastian
by the welcome sight OF an old comrade.
who entered the luncheon car and hailed