The Delta independent., 1911-06-16
Jewels. His eyes still upon her, he
felt for 4 cigarette.

lug glance. Lances of many-colored
! hght slashed the comparative gloom
oi the compartment as Mrs. Missioner
brought forth tray after tray from the
Jewel vault. The steel box in the cen
ter OF the safe was an Aladdin's cave
In miniature. 1t held stones of every
sort in settings of every fashion,
ranging from the product of twentieth
century jewellers back to the loved
/ works of Byzantine artificers. Little
/ MISS March gasped again as the wild
ow spread the trays on the Persian
rug
] The Widows guests saw what few
| persons other than Mrs. Missioner had
seen-all the Missioner jewels at once.
| The gems were the collection of a
lifetime. Missioner, in the intervals
/ OF amassing millions, had devoted
himself to gathering them from the
earths four corners. 1t had been
MS only hobby. and he had pursued
/ IT with the enthusiasm of a man to
whom an extra numeral or two on
[ check meant little
You have an inventory, of course?"
| asked Sands. Even his sturdy indi-
viduality paid passing tribute to the
magnificence of the collection. He
left the stones of the necklace on the
table and strolled over TO stare at the
rubies and emeralds. the sapphires
and tourmalines and amethysts, above
all at the unrivaled group of diamonds
graded from a frefly's sparkle to the
g.oryburst of radium. Little Miss
March. true daughter of Eve, sank
on the broad rug beside the shining
trays and gazed at them in an ecstasy
OF alteration
Mrs. Missioner drew from shelf
In the jewel box a catalogue of her
treasures. Item by item she read
from it, the others checking tray by
tray until the last stone was account
ed for, the last save the wonderful
Maharanee diamond.
The big stone gone" mused Sands
Then, Doris" and there was convic-
ion in his tones. as he gathered up
the Jewels scattered on the table,
these others are false. too"
"Oh. do you think so2" asked Doro-
thy, her fingers interlacing in re
pressed hysteria-
Sure of it." said Sands, holding
one of the suspected gems to the
light I'm not an expert, but l
haven't the slightest doubt"
Let me see them" Griswold inter
posed. He scrutinized three or four
for more than minute. They look
genuine enough to me" He offered
them to Miss March, whose fingers
did not unlock to take them.
We can be certain very quickly"
said Mrs. Missioner. She was study
ing Griswolds whitening fingers
steady enough. but deadly white. It
was a popularity of the man that he
turned pale only in his hands. II will
send for jeweler"
My dear, At this hour?" came in
Dorothy's child treble.
Mrs. Missioner smiled in way that
said there were jewellers of no small
I Importance in commercial circles who
would be glad to answer a summons
/ from her at any hour-that it was not
/ in vain she was known to dealers as
one OF the most liberal collectors in
I the world She turned to a rosewood
desk and took up a telephone.
"Gramercy. e-T-4-6." she called.
"The Efinsham?-Mr. Ranscome,
please is Mrs. Missioner, Mr..
Ranscome.-Yes. am at home
| Can you come up for few minutes? :?
Thank you" and as she returned
the receiver to the hook, she explain
ed: "Ranscome is the oldest expert
in New York"
while We are about It." said Sands
slowly. we may as we'll call head
quarters" He reached for the tele-
phone, but his hand was stayed by
Dorothy's futtering fingers.
"Oh. Bru1ton," she said. please
don't call the police" and as his eye
brows went up, she added. 81 am so
frightened"
81 wouldn't be hasty. Sands said
Griswold. The newspapers follow
the sleuths. you know"
I'm not think of the newspapers, >"
replied Mrs. Missioner. but maybe
we'd better wait for Mr. Rsnscome.
You see." and there was perplexity
In the glance that swept the group,
this is no ordinary theft"
Not a burglary. you think" asked
Griswold quickly. He had lighted his
cigarette. and. leaning back in a cozy
corner of the inglenook. was smoking
with little abrupt puns that con
trasted with the ease of his position.
He studied the widow covertly
through weaving wreaths.
III a burglar could reach this room.
l must reorganize my household" she
murmured. She was gazing into the
flames. Her shoulders dropped. and
Sands. noticing her weariness.
switched off the lights, The rainbow
sparkle OF the jewel trays varied fan
tasucally the pattern Of the rug on
which they lay, but the background OF
dusk rested her.