The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-03-09
The Mystery Of a Gem.


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board at the fore end, the man {
strapping fellow. the girl comely anf
rosy as a 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
neyolent looking
Il would like, monsieur, If you would
be so kind as to lend me a hundred
francs on this"
She produced a pearl the size OF q
nutmeg 1t was of a very unusual
shade. The pawnbroker looked at Il
for long while. then said.
How did you come by it?"
"Alphonse-Alphonse is r. marry me
has had 1t ever since his mother died,
We wish to be married. and we have
no means"
How long ago did Alphonse's moth
er der
when Alphonse was baby, more
than twenty years ago"
"And where did Alphonse's mother
get it,"
"Alphonse's mother was when young
lady's maid to countess. Just before
the countess death she gave 1t to her
maid The countess died OF smallpox.
and all but her maid had deserted her.
Ibid the countess say anything about
the value Of the gift?'
How could she since she was dying
and could scarcely speak? Don't you
think 1t Is worth so much as a hundred
francs? Can't you lend anything on
ft?'' she asked anxiously.
docs Alphonse wish to sell it?'
"He has kept it for his mothers
sake. He never knew a mothers love,
but he thinks a great deal about what
his mother was like. He would rather
pawn it."
There was look Of truthfulness and
innocence In the girls face that won
the old mans confidence.
$50 you and Alphonse are lovers and
wish to borrow 100 francs on this for
the purpose Of being married."
Yes. monsieur If you think 1t Is
worth 50 much"
The pawnbroker handed her four ma
poleons. took her address and sent her
of jubilant He saw her 60 out and
communicate her happiness to her
lover by showing him the four shining
gold pieces. Then they drove away.
both talking at once and gesticulating.
Evidently they had never before had
such windfall
The pawnbroker possessed small
library Of books giving the history Of
valuable articles. AS soon as the girl
had gone he took down a volume on
celebrated gems that had passed !
through strange hands. Turning over
the leaves, he at last came to an ac-
count of the disappearance about
century and half ago of two large
diamonds from the English crown. A
pearl OF extraordinary size and Ulster (
had disappeared at the same time, No
trace had ever been discovered Of the
missing gems, and after so long
period no expectation was entertained
Of their recovery.
Here was little gem the size Of the
tip Of a ladv's finger that a peasant
had kept from his babyhood and was
doubtful If he could borrow $50 on it.
Had 1t been displayed In jewelers.
case, of the thousands who looked al
it not one would probably have seen
any difference between 1t and the large
and brilliant jewels resting beside 1t
But for half a century this old pawn
broker had done nothing but inspect
valuable articles. chiefly jewels, To
him the pearl stood alone. That singu-
lar something which has no Identity.
no personality, no essence. but which
we call experience told him that he
had In his possession gem that a
and fifty years ago had been
stolen from the English crown
/ Al week passed The couple who had
fawned the jewel were celebrating
their wedding day There was little
herewith to celebrate. but they made
tla most OF what they had. A letter
came by the post summoning them to
Paris at once to see the pawnbrelser i
Tley were much frightened. fearing
thbt they were to be called upon to re-
deem the pearl. and they had spent
the money. Alphonse put the horse
in Tie wagon, and they drove into the
city
When they reached the pawnbroker's
be sent them into a private foom,
whese they waited half an hour in sus- !
pense Then the pawnbroker entered
with a man. an Engiishman.
This Is the couple" the former said. /
You may question them If you Ike
but ytu viii get nothing"
ssTER government will be happy to {
pay ths reward that has SO long been
offered and ask no questions replied
the Other
The fngilshman took from wallet
three hotes, two for f1,000 each and
one for $500, equivalent to about sl2- /
900, anh handed them to the groom,
who drew back. frightened.
"a wRdling present for you" said J
the paysibroker, aud he gave an ex. 0
Of how the money came to o
be paid I'm. At first Alphonse feared 3
they wen trying to draw him into
trap. Inneed. he would not take the b
tiF he had called in notary I
to whom he was accustomed to sell a
who looked the matter c
through cdFefuIly and assured him that /
the translation was fair and square
On their Wedding night. after placing K
their fortube in savings bank. the v
young couhe drove their little cart b
home with happiness in their hearts g