Graham guardian., 1911-12-29

rather earlier than usual, dined with
only little Dorothy March as visa
Wis, and, after an hour or so spent in
working out pretty problems with
her youthful protegee, rang for her
limousine and was whirled away to a
dance at the home of one of her dear
five hundred friends Mrs. Missioner's
arrival was an instant triumph, a roy
al progress. She laughed and chatted
with men who adored her, and with
women who would have done the same
IL they had not been-women.
Yet there was monotony about 1t
all to her, for although she was fond
of society, she had seen the same
faces, heard the game small talk, lis
tened to the same music, and danced
the same dances many, many times in
the course of the season. Just when
her vague wish for the unusual was
shaping itself into naturalization OF
the grisly phantom, boredom, little
stir at the entrance to the ballroom
heralded the arrival of a man who
quickly drove the little drab devil Of
ennui from his perch upon Mrs. Mis-
sioner's satin shoulder.
The newcomer was tall person,
wearing the ordinary evening attire
of gentlemen, with addition, however,
of snowy turban that crowned his
long black hair, like wreath of snow
upon darkling mountain-side. 1t
needed no second glance to tell Mrs.
Missioner that they had already met.
She knew 1t long before the Swami's
dark eyes swung their twin search
light glance in her direction. Mrs.
Missioner recognized readily the mys-
terious stranger of the opera box. 1t
was the first time she had seen
him since the night in which she dis
covered the falsity of her jewels. For
moment, the sight of his swart face
and piercing eyes recalled the pang
with which she had learned Of the loss
of the Maharanee diamond. SO 1t was
with most gracious smile that she
interrupted an introduction by her
hostess and said:
1--WE have met quite recently" as
she touched the tips Of her white
gloved fingers to those of the ORR
entail. She went on: "You see am
more composed than at our last meet
ing; but then, dare say, you were not
troubled. Jewels, you know, mean SO
much tO q voYnanD
Some jewels mean more, Mrs. Mis-
sioner," said the Swami suavely. Il
thoroughly understand the sense OF
loss--in fact, the bereavement that
came upon you when you found that
beautiful necklace was not what you
had supposed it to be-"
II rather imagine" Mrs. Missioner
returned, that you are not unfa-
miliar with the fact that it was the
loss Of one stone among the many
which really grieved me-"
"You are right, my good friend"
returned the Swami. Il will not pre-
tend to be ignorant Of the value you
attached to the central gem-the Ma
haranee diamond. You are not alone"
He checked himself abruptly. "It was
a stone which well might command af-
fection from its possessor. Time was
when devotion would have been the
word"
They were strolling across the floor
as they talked, and in corner dis
tant from the music the widow seated
herself on Louis Quinze chair and
said. almost coaxingly:
Il feel pretty sure you know more
about the history Of that jewel than
l do.'
indeed" was the swami's only con-
cession.
"Yes, indeed and indeed" said the
widow, with gay little laugh. "Of
course. sage cannot be expected to
occupy his thoughts with anything SO
frivolous as diamond, however beau
tiful. Yet l am convinced that if you
were to unbend from your meditations
of the occult long enough to scan your
memory, you would recall facts in
connection with 1t that would be very
to me-"
May / inquire your reason for so
thinking, dear madam"
1T is reasonable request on your
part" she replied. II remember my
husband told me the stone had come
from the treasure casket of the most
beautiful queen in India--is not that
why 1t is called the Maharanee dia-
1T would be difficult to explain the
name Of every great diamond in Hin
dostan," said the Swami evasively.
Since your husband gave you his.
tory Of the stone. surely you cannot
doubt its authenticity. Z"
"Oh. Of course not" said the widow.
1T ID not In regard to it's more recent
history that am questioning you.
think you know not only all the ira.
iitions hinging upon 1t, but that you
Ire also conversant with its journey
nEs through your native land before
Il became the possession of the Ma
laranee from whom my husband
bought It,"
Really, Mrs. Missioner" replied
he scholar. II can imagine nothing
more delectable than to carry out your
slightest wish; but we OF the East
have things on which to concentrate
bur poor intelligences that are too
Iraye to make room even for so inter
ssting a diversion as historical study
among precious stones"
Come. now!" urged the widow.
Please search your memory again.