The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1908-05-08
The Hissar
Emerald.
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted, 1873. by the Associated
Literary Press

aUu tlle eIllPrdIu, repeated OOie-
man eagerly as he fingered the con-
tents Of his friends gem cabinct-"I
don't see the Hissar emerald. What
has become Of it? That was the gem
of your collection"
Lamson leaned forward and drew
From an assortment OF small leather
! cases thrown carelessly together he
took one and gave it to Coleman.
There is the Hissar emerald" he said
quietly.
Coleman pressed the spring and as
the lid few up uttered a startled cry.
"Why-why." he suffered excitedly,
interrogatively.
1T is the Hissar emerald and none
other" returned Lamson. speaking
with curious deliberation and distinct
ness. He took the case from his WIS.,
itor's hand and shook the huge stone
into his palm.
1T is like green glass;" muttered
Coleman. staring stupidity.
A piece of green stone as large as an
| almond. oval in shape, cut in hun
dred facets that reflected the lamp
| light duly. rolled about in Lamsons
hand.
You are joking" said Coleman, sit
| ~ at his host.
! II wish it were joke" said Iamson
rueflAly as he replaced the jewel in the
| casket and laid it upon the table.
! Il wish You would tell me about it.
| old man." remarked Coleman impa-
tiently. lighting another cigarette Tell
me about the transformation Of one Of
the most famous jewels of the world
into worthless glass;
"Of course you know IT'S history.
Coleman" began I.amson. settling back
In his chair. You know purchased 1t
from an old chap 10 Bombay for a RI
diculons price-thirty gold r1bles-and
the man seemed to be much relieved to
be rid Of the stone. You know it was
in my possession for ten years after
/ my return from India. for you exam
/ ined 1t frequently and admired its color
and extraordinary brilliancy."
| Coleman nodded
Three years ago was in Paris"
continued LamsOn. Il had the emerald
with me. l was considering setting
for it. Several weeks elapsed before
found time to visit a goldsmith. ! can.
not recolect what did detain me from
going Immediately on my arrival but
l do remember that one day l suddenly
resolved to attend to the matter with
out further delay. had been carrying
the jewel in chamois bag which was
concealed in a leather belt about my
waist. l removed the bag from the belt
and placed it in the inner pocket of my
coat and proceeded at a leisurely pace
toward certain shop in the Rue de
Vignier. where there was q lapidary
and goldsmith with whom had done
business.
LAS | passed a small cafe glanced
carelessly through the open door. and.
upon my word. Coleman. l was never
more startled In my life! My gaze en-
countered that of pair of the greenest
eyes l ever saw. and. strange to relate,
they sparkled beneath the snowy tur-
ban Of Hindoo!'
Coleman threw back his head and
laughed heartily. "A green eyed Hin
doo"' be chuckled. ''Ye gods, what a
combination"
LamsOn arose and paced the floor
with long. nervous strides. AS he talk
ed he glanced furtively toward the long
windows concealed by velvet draperies.
"Involuntarily I stopped and stared
at the man." he continued. land he re-
turned my gaze calmly. coolly. inso-
lently and with such steadiness and
force in the depths Of his green Orbs
that | felt myself drawn toward him
by their very power. In less time than
it takes to relate 1t was seated oppo-
site to him at the small round table
with glass Of absinth before me.
I looked at the fellow with fascinated
interest. and he stared at me In return.
He was fine looking chap. tall. hand
some. with clear dark skin in which
was set those sparkling green eyes.
such an anomaly in man Of bis race
that l felt the white turban he wore
must have been assumed as disguise.
With that exception his clothing was
the conventional European dress.
GAS I lifted the glass to my lips me-
chanically he leaned forward and said
politely. You are the we'll known art
list. Mr.. hanson. are you not. sir?' !
admitted the fact and made the usual
remark about his having the advan
tage. He spoke excellent English with
slight accent and his reply took me
by surprise. You are the possessor Of
the Hissar emerald! he asked coolly.
with the air of one who had right
to know. stared at him and made no
reply. After he had repeated the ques-
ton found breath to tell him that he
might seek that information else.
where"
What did he say to that?" asked
Coleman, with interest.
Bowed politely and said that be
would take my advice"
"And YOU didn't favor him with a
glance at the stone:" asked Coleman,
with disappointed grlmace
Hardly! He left me Them con-
tfnued 1.amsOn. lowering his voice to
: almost a whisper as he leaned toward