The Somerset reporter., 1908-04-09
The Hissar
Emerald.
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted. 1908. by tho Associated
Literary Press.


Lamson blew a cloud of smoke into
the air and, with meditatlve eyes
watched 1t dissolve.
And the emerald" repeated Cole
man eagerly as he fingered the con-
tents of his friends gem cabinet-"l
don't see 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 emers Id" be said
quietly.
Coleman pressed the spring and as
the lid few up uttered a startled cry.
"Why-why." he suffered excitedly,
''this is not the Hissar"- He paused
interrogatively.
SIT 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.
ut 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
H. 81 r a.. H. L.
ly at his host.
81 wish 1t were joke" said Lamson
ruefully as he replaced the Jewel In the
casket and laid 1t upon the ia BILE.
81 wish you would tell me a bout It,
old man." remarked Coleman lmpa-
hently 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 ii
from an old chap In Bombay for ri
diculous price-thlrty gold rubles-and
the man seemed to be much relieved to
be rid Of the stone. You know it was
y Il
my return from India, for you exam
ined it frequently and admired Its color
and extraordinary brilliancy."
Coleman nodded
Three years ago | was IN Paris"
continued Lamson. II had the emerald
with me. was considering "A setting
for 1t. 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 1t In the inner pocket OF my
coat and proceeded at a leisurely pace
toward a certain shop In the Rue de
Vignier. where there was a lapidary
and goldsmith with whom | had done
business.
"As passed a small cafe l glanced
careessly through the open door, and,
upon my word, Coleman, | was never
more startled In my life! Ny gaze en-
countered that of pair of the greenest
eyes ! ever saw, and, strange to relate.
they sparkled beneath the snowy tur-
ban of Hindooi"
Coleman threw back his head and
laughed heartily "a green eyed Hin
doo!" he chuckled. "Ye gods, what n
combination."
LamsOn arose and paced the floor
with long. nervous strides. As he talk
ed he glanced furtiyely toward the long
windows concealed by velvet draperies
'Inyoluntarlly | stopped and stared
at the man." he continued, land be 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
1t takes to relate 1t was seated oppo-
site to him at the small round table
with glass of absnth before me
| 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 a man OF his race
that felt the white urban he wore
must have been assumed as a disguise.
With that exception his clothing was
the conventional European dress.
"As | lifted the glass to my lips me-
chanically he leaned forward and said
politely, You are the well known art
ist, Mr.. Lamson, are you not, sir?
admitted the fact and made the usual
remark about his having the advan-
tage. He spoke excellent English with
a slight accent, and his reply took me
by surprise. You are the possessor Of
the Hlssar emeraldT he asked coolly,
with the air of one who had q 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 he
would take my advice"
Sand Won didn't Favor ,IY,, with "a