The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-07-26
M 81 Nzz5S4Z NzTD mn (Z%2a0

of which the necklace Mrs. Missioner
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. Missioners lap.
Sands and Griswold returned tc
their chairs, Reluctantly realizing
the thrilling little by-soene 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
chestra 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 Missionsr's throat
"O-o-ooh!" she exclaimed, half.
rising In her excitement, the largest
of all is gone! The Maharaneei"
Instantly the turmoil was renewed
Dorothy sprang to her feet and, be-
fore either Of the men could ant1ci-
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 6oor with
her fan. with her free hand. her feet.
In almost hystertcal quest of the still
missing diamond Grtswold, 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 breathless usher
raped on the door, the millionaire
tore II 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 60 I'M
III We nLu oOpDCu
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! It's prisoned
fire held the history of en- alien race.
After all" said Griswold In a swift
alBde to Dorothy. she has recovered
the other gems and even II she can
not find this one"
Don't you known returned little
Miss March excitedly. Don't you
really know, Mr. GriswoldY"
Know what, Miss MarchY' asked
the clubman.
Why, the history of that stone!
Don't you know Mrs. Missioner's hus-
band bought II from a Maharanee,
that they brought II all the way from
India? Don't you know it's the finest
diamond In American
Griswold shook his head He was
pursuing the Search perfunctorily. His
hands we're busy, but his eyes roved
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, the
throngtng toward the lobby for the
usual visits between the acts. II was
with faint interest that he saw sew
erA 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 sat
the Oriental with the face of hawk. |
The hawk watched the Missioner
box. So steadily did he direct his
gaze at Mrs. Missioner that she was |
on the point Of averting her glance |
when the strai RS fashhght gaze |
struck spark from her memory. She |
bowed, coolly, as she began the incli- |
nation Of her head. but In the end gra-
ciously. Her dark neighbor was sat
isfied with that dubious encourage
ment
You are fond OF your Jewels as
ever. see." he said. In a low tone.
as of one claiming a share In intimate
memories.
Yes" she answered with an alb
stracted air. She was barking back
to days long gone. and evidently the
recollection was not unpleasant
7 cannot blame you" said the ORR
entail Every one knows you have
the most wonderful jewels IN the
world-one Of them. at any rate
These" returned Mrs Missioner,
are among my very finest diamonds.
But they are nothing TO the MahRrar
nee, and that Is gone"
leaping fash In the Orientars
eyes soon faded to q CLEAN OF polite
You are brave was all he said,
TO wear them IN public. Many q
woman, save in her own ballroom.
would content herself with the duplh
Gates"
"Duplicatesi" There was unmis-
taxable contempt IN Mrs Missioner's
tone.
Il trust the Eastsrner continued.