Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-12-15
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wore that night was the masterpiece.
For In its center blazed the famous
Maharanee diamond.
II think we've found them ALL"
said Sands. rising and emptying his
cupped hand into the miniature noun
tain in Mrs. Missioner's lap.
Sands and Griswold returned to
their chairs. Reluctantly realizing
the thrilling little by-scene was at an
end. the other members Of the audi
ence again focused their attention on
the stage. Mephisto befooled Dame
Martha. Faust won Marguerite, and
the curtain descended on an operate
triumph, only to be raised and low
cred and raised again as boxes, or
chestre and balconies recalled the
singers for their need of praise.
AS they passed, bowling and smiling
before the curtain. a low cry came
from Mrs. Missioner's throat
"O-o-oohl" she exclaimed, half
rising in her excitement, "the largest
of all is gonel The Maharanee!"
Instantly the turmoil was renewed.
Dorothy sprang to her feet and. be-
fore either of the men could antici-
pate her. began pushing the chairs
about until all save Mrs. Missioner's
were grouped In q corner Of the box.
Then the little debutante. regardless
Of her fluffy frock, raked the floor with
her fan, with her free hand, her feet.
in almost hysterical quest of the still
missing diamond. Griswold, nearly
as excited as the women. recon-
menced his own search.
All the action in Sands leaped to
the fore. Stretching long arm across
the bent backs of Griswold and little
Miss March, he thrust thumb
against an electric button.
1T can't be In the box" he said de-
cisively, and when a breathless usher
raped on the door, the millionaire
tore 1t open and whispered: Run
down to the orchestra and look every
where around this box. A diamond
has fallen over the rail"
Dorothy Dorothy, cannot go un-
I'll we find it." sobbed Mrs. Mission
er. The woman who, with a sweep
of her pen. could summon all the
artists who had sung their souls out
on the stage to sing as soulfully in
her salon, who, with another PEN
sweep, could recompense them be-
yond their most arrogant demands,
was In tears because she had lost a
diamond.
But such a diamond Its prisoned
fire held the history Of an alien race.
after ALL" said Griswold in a swift
aside to Dorothy, "she has recovered
the other gems, and even II she can
not ind this one"
Don't you known" returned little
Miss March excitedly. Don't you
really know, Mr.. Griswoldf"
Know what. Miss March," asked
the clubman.
why, the history Of that stonel
Don't you know Mrs. Missioner's hus
band bought 1t from a Maharanee
that they brought It all the way from
Indian Don't you know it's the finest
diamond In American"
Griswold shook his head. He was
pursuing the search perfunctorily. His
hands were busy, but his eyes rovec
over the house. Idly he noted the
slowly ebbing interest of the audi
ence, the departure of hundreds By
twos and threes and larger groups, thu
thronging toward the lobby for the
usual visits between the acts. 1t wal
with faint interest that he saw sew
eral swarthy faces weaving through
the crowd. Had his eyes been able
to follow those faces. he would have
seen them converse In the corridor
. behind the box-the box IN which sa
the Oriental with the face of a hawk
The hawk watched the Missioner
| box So steadily did he direct hii
gaze at Mrs. Missioner that she wal
on the point of averting her glanct
when the strangers fiashlight gaz'
struck q spark from her memory. Sh,
bowed, coolly. as she began the incl
nation Of her head, but In the end era
ciously. Her dark neighbor was sat
isfied with that dubious encourage
ment-
"You are fond of your jewels q,
ever, see," he said. In q low tone
as of one claiming q share In intimat.
memories.
YES" she answered with an alb
stracted air. She was barking bacl
to days long gone, and evidently thu
recollection was not unpleasant.
81 cannot blame you" said the Orr
entail. Every one knows you hav'
: the most wonderful jewels in thu
. world-one of them, at any rate"
These" returned Mrs. Missioner
"are among my very finest diamonds
But they are nothing to the Mahars
; nee, and that is gone"
, A leaping fash In the Oriental
J eyes soon faded to a CLEAN Of polit
, interest
"You are brave" was all he said
: ito wear them in public. Many
woman, save in her own ballroom
would content herself with the dupl
! Gates"
| "Duplicates!" There was unmis
! taxable contempt in Mrs. Missioner
! tone
, 'T trust" the fastener continued
} you will recover the Maharanes
, too"
} Mrs. Missioner had no time 70
, more than another slow bending Q
her he~d -he- the rsher Who 10