Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-13
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
THE Hissar Emerald. BY C1arissa Mackie.
Copyrighted, 1905 by the Associated Literary Press

Lamson blew cloud of smoke into
watched it dissolve.
And re emerald repeated Cole
man eagerly as he fingered the con-
tents of his friends gem cabinet-"l
don't sec the Hissar emerald. What
has become of it? That was the gem
Of your collection"
Lamson leaned forward and drew
out the lower tray of the cabinet.
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 startled cry.
"Why-why." he suffered excitedly.
'this is not the Hissar''- He paused
interrosatively.
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 aud 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 -Lamson's
hand.
"You are joking" said Coleman, sit
| ting back In his chair and looking keen
~ at his host.
81 wish it were joke" said Lamson
ruefully as he replaced the jewel in the
| casket and laid it upon the table.
II wish you would ten me about 1t.
| 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 its history.
Coleman" began Lamson. settling back
in his chair. you know purchased 1t
from an old chap in Bombay for ri
diculous price-thirty gold rubles-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 it frequently and admired its color
and extraordinary brilliancy."
| Coleman nodded.
Three years ago l was In Paris"
| continued Lamson. Il had the emerald
| with me. was considering a setting
for it. Several weeks elapsed before /
found time to visit goldsmith. can
not recollect what did detain me from
going Immediately on my arrival. but
do remember that one day suddenly
resolved to attend to the matter with
out further delay. had been carrying
the jewel in a channels bag which was
concealed In leather belt about my
waist. removed the bag from the belt
and placed it in the inner pocket Of my
coat and proceeded at leisurely pace
toward certain shop in the Rue de
vignier, where there was lapidary
and goldsmith with whom had done
business.
Gas passed small cafe glanced
carelessly through the open door, and.
upon my word. Coleman, I was never
more startled In my life! My gaze en-
countered that of pair Of the greenest
eyes I ever saw, and. strange to relate,
they sparkled beneath the snowy tur-
ban Of Hindoov'
Coleman threw back his head and
laughed heartily. "A green eyed Hin
door he chuckled. "Ye gods, what a
combination"
| Lan1son arose and paced the door
| with long, nervous strides. As he talk.
ed he glanced furtively toward the long
| windows concealed by velvet draperles
: Jnyoauntarily I at00nedr and. stared