The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-08-14
The Mystery Of a Gem.


lOriginal.l
A small market wagon drawn by one
.bony horse pulled up in front Of a
pawnbroker's shop in Paris. A young
countryman and q girl sat On q cross
board at the fore end, the man a
strapping fellow, the girl comely and
rosy as a peony. The girl descended
from the seat and went Into the pawn
brokers'. He was 4 white headed old.
man and, unlike most Of his trade, be-
nevolent looking.
n would like, monsieur, II you would
b 10 kind ~ to lend me a hundred
francs on this"
She produced . pearl the size Of q
nutmeg. It was Of . very unusual
shade. The pawnbroker looked At It
for a long while. then said:
"How did you come by It'll"
""Alphonse-Alphonse ID to marry me
has had 1t ever since his mother died.
We wish to be married, and we have
no means.n
"How long ago did Alphonse's moth
or dep
when Alphonse was 4 baby, more
than twenty years ago"
"And where did Alphonse's mother
get it7''
"Alphonse's mother was when young
lady's maid to a countess. just before
the countess death she gave 1t to her
maid. The countess died Of smallpox,
and ali but her maid had deserted her"
"Did the countess say anything about
the value of the giftr
SLOW could she since she was dying
and could scarcely speak? Don't You
think It is worth 80 much as q hundred
francs? Can't you lend anything on
it7' she asked a%nxiously.
docs Alphonse wish to sell it?'
.He has kept 1t 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 1t"
There was a 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 or this for
the purpose Of being married?"
sYes. monsieur, II you think 1t ID
worth so much"
The pawnbroker handed her four ma
poleons, took her address and sent hez
or jubilant. He saw her 60 out and
communicate her happiness to hsl
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 a windfall.
The pawnbroker possessed . small
library Of books giving the history a
valuable articles. Al soon u the CIR
had gone he took down Q volume q
celebrated gems that had passst
through strange hands. Turning ovsl
the leaves, be at last came to IN &C
count Of the disappearance about
century and q half ago Of two larg,
diamonds from the English crown. A
pearl Of extraordinary siss and luste1
had disappeared ut the same time. NJ
trace had ever been discovered Of TIL
missing gems, and after % long 1
period no expectation was entertained
Of their recovery.
Here was . little gem the size Of T.
tp Of 4 lady's finger that I peasan
had kept from his babyhood and wa
doubtful IL he could borrow go on Y
Had It been displayed in . jeweler'
ease, Of the thousands who looked q
II not ~ would probably have see1
any difference between It and the larg
and brilliant jewels resting beside 4
But for half q century this old pawn
broker had done nothing but inspec
valuable articles, chiefly jewels. =
him the pearl stood alone. That singu
lar something which has no identity
no personality, no essence. but whic
We call experience. told him that b
had Ia his possession . gem that
hundred and fifty years ago had bee
stolen from the English crown.
A week passed. The couple who ha
pawned the jewel were celebratin
their wedding day. There was littl
wherewith to celebrate, but they mad
the most Of what they had. a lettt
came by the post summoning them !
Paris 1t once to e the pawnbroke
They were much frightened, fearin
that they were to be called upon to =
deem the pearl and they had spe1
the money. Aphonse put the hort
IN the wagon. and they drove into =
city.
When thsy reached the pawnbroker
10 sent them into 9 private room
where they waited half an hour II 81
pense. Then the pawnbroker entere
With man, IN Bnglishman.
: sThis Is the COUPLE" the former sai
'sYou may question them Il You LIZ
but you will get nothing"
, THE government win be happy
pay the reward that has 80 long bet
: offered and ask no questions" replf.
! the other. 3ss3 s.
! The Enslishman took from a wall
three notes, two for $1,000 each q
one for f5o0, equivalent to about 81:
600. and handed them to the grool
. who drew back, frightened.
"a wedding present for you," 90
the pawnbroker. and he gave an e
PLANTATION OF how the money came
be paid him. At first Alphonse fear
they were trying to draw him into
/ .PDENEEE.-EE Ill - A-N.> =