The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-03-05
The Mystery Of a Gem.
[origInal.l


strapplng fellow, the girl comely and
rosy as a peony. The girl descended
from the seat and went into the pawn
brokers'. lie was n white headed old
man and unlike most of his trade. be-
nevolent looking.
Il would like, monsieur, II you would
be so kind as to lend me hundred
francs on this"
She produced pearl the size OF a
nutmeg. 1t was of very unusual
shade. The pawnbroker looked at It
for long while, then said:
"Iow did you come by III"
"Alphonse-Alphonce Is TO marry me
has had It ever since his mother died.
We wish TO be married, and we have
no means"
"IIow long ago did Alphonse's moth
er der
when Alphonse was a baby, more
than twenty years ago"
"And where did Alphonse's mother
get itT'
"Alphonse's mother was when young
lady's maid TO countess. Just before
the countess death she gave IL to her
maid The countess died of smallpox.
and all but her maid had deserted her"
did the countess say anything about
the value oi the glftY'
How could she since she was dying
and could scarcely speak? Don't you
think 1t is orth so much as a hundred
francs? Can't you lend anything on
jt?" she asked anxlously.
"Does Alphonse wish to sell itT'
"He has kept It for his mothers
cake. He rover knew q mothers love,
but he thinks 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 It is
worth so much"
The pawnbroker handed her four ma
poleons. took her address and sent her
off jubilant. He saw her go 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 gesticulatlng.
Evidently they had never before had
such n windfall.
The pawnbroker possessed a small
library of books giving the history of
valuable articles. AS soon as the girl
had gone he took down volume OH
through strange hands. Turning over
the leaves. lie mt 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 luster
had disappeared mt 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 a little gem the size OF the
tip of Il ladys finger that peasan
had kept from his babyhood and was
doubtful II ne could borrow $50 on It.
Had 1t been displayed In jewelers.
case, of the thousands who looked at
II not one would probably have seen
any difference between It and the large
and brilliant jewels resting beside 1t.
But for half 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 a gem that
hundred and fifty years ago had been
stolen from the English crown.
A week passed. The couple who had
pawned the jewel were celebrating
their wedding day. There was little
wherewith TO celebrate, but they made
the most of what they had. A letter
came by the post summoning them to
Paris at once to see the pawnbroker
They were much frightened, fearing
that they were to be 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 u private room
where they waited half an hour In sus.
pense, Then the pawnbroker entered
with man, an Englshman.
'"rhis is the couple" the former said
you may question them If you like
but you VIII get nothing"
"rhe government will be happy to
pay the reward that has so long been
offered and ask no questions" replied
the other.
The Engllshman took from a wallet
three notes, two for f1,00O each and
one for 1900, equivalent to about $l2..
600, and handed them to the groom.
who drew back, frightened.
"a wedding present for you," said
the pawnbroker, and he gave an ex-
planatlon OF how the money came to
be paid him. At first Alphonse feared
they were trying TO draw him into n
trap. Indeed, he would not take the
money till he had called In a notary
to whom he was accuptomed to sell
vegetables, who looked the matter
through carefully and assured him that
the transaction was fair and square.
On their wedding night, after placing