Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-03-01

working out pretty problems with
her youthful protegee. rang for her
limousine and was whirled away to
dance at the home Of one OF her dear
i've hundred friends. Mrs. Missioners
arrival was an instant triumph. roy
al progress. She laughed and chatted
with men who sdored her. and with
women who would have done the same
II they had not been-women.
Yet there was q monotony about II
all to her, for although sbe was fond
Of society, she had seen the same
faces, heard the same 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
hsralded the arrival Of man who
quickly drove the little drab devil OF
snnui from His perch upon Mrs. Mis-
sicner's satin shoulder.
The newcomer was . tall person.
wearing the ordinary evening attire
Of gentlemen, with addition. however.
Of q snowy turban that crowned his
long black hair. like q wreath OF snow
upon q darkling mountain-side. 1t
needed no second glance to tell Mrs.
Missioner that they had already met
She knew It long before the Swamfs
dark eyes swung their twin search
light glance In her direction. Mrs.
Missioner recognized readily the mys-
tsrious stranger of the opera box II
was the nrst time she had seen
him since the night in which she dis
covered the falsity of her jewels. Fol-
a moment, the sight Of his swart face
and piercing eyes recalled the pans
with which she had learned Of the loss
of the Maharanee diamond. So 1t was
with q most gracious smile that she
interrupted an introduction by hel
hostess and said:
I'VE have met quite recently" ~
she touched the tips OF her white
gloved fingers to those Of the Orr
entail. She went on: you see an
more composed than at our last meet
ing; but then, dare say. you were no
troubled. Jewels. you know, mean 81
much to a woman"
Some jewels mean more, Mrs. Mis-
sioner," said the Swami suavely. :
thoroughly understand the sense o
loss-in fact. the bereavement tina
came upon you when you found tina
beautiful necklace was not what yo'
had supposed It to be-"
ct rather imagine" Mrs. Missione
returned, that you are not unfs
miliar with the fact that It was tn
loss Of one stone among the man
which really grieved me-"
you are right. my good friend.
returned the Swami. II will not pre-
tend to be ignorant Of the value 20
attached to the central gem-the Ms
haranee diamond. You are not alone
He checked himself abruptly. at wa
stone which well might command al
lection from its possessor. Time wa
when devotion would have been tn
word"
They were strolling across the moo
as they talked. and in corner dill
tant from the music the widow seate
herself on q Louis Quinze chair an
said. almost coaxingly:
81 feel pretty sure you know NOR
about the history Of that jewel tina
do"
indeed" was the swamfs only col
cession.
"Yes, indeed and indeed" said tn
widow, with q gay little laugh. &C
: course. q sage cannot be expected
occupy his thoughts with anything 8
frivolous as a diamond. however beat
tiful. Yet l am convinced that II 20
we're to unbend from your meditation
of the occult long enough to scan you
: memory, you would recall facts
connection with 1t that would be yer
interesting to me-"
May inquire your reason for
I thinking, dear madam"
I 1T is a reasonable request on you
! part" she replied Il remember m
: husband told me the stone had com
from the treasure casket Of the MOI
, beautiful queen In India-is not th'
. why II II called the Maharsnee di
? mond7"
at would be dificult to explain II
, name Of every great diamond In Hi
: dostan," said the Swami eyasivel
. Since your husband gave you hi
. tory Of the stone, surely you came
doubt its authenticity.r
. "Oh. of course not" said the wido'
> TT IL not In regard to its more recel
8 history that am questioning you.
think you know not only all the tr
ditions Ringing upon It, but that 70
are also conversant with its journe
ings through your native land befol
II became the possession Of the M
b haranee from whom my husbar
. bought 1t"
. really, Mrs. Missioner" replis
. the scholar, Il can imagine nothir
i more delectable than to carry out yol
. slightest wish; but we Of the Ia
n have things on which to concentra
. our poor intelligences that are Il
d grave to make room even for so int
y esting q diversion ss historical stut
among precious stones.
q Come, nowi" urged the wido'
It please search your memory agai
o Unbend, Mr.. Philosopher"
II Lest you think me churfsh.