Semi-weekly herald., 1912-01-29
CHAPTER XIII.
Mrs. Missioner. vI.ltor,


dawn. and the maid who had waited
up for her was sleeping soundly In
chair. The widow WAS not yet dis.
posed for slumber. II had been an
exciting night. Her fancy had been
stimulated so greatly by her brief
talk with the Swami in the ballroom
that she was unable to turn 1t from
the mysterious Oriental history of
the Maharanee diamond She knew
no more OF the Jewels past than she
had related to the sage, for her hus-
band had not acquainted her with all
the details connected with his acquisi-
uon OF it, Something In the Swami's
manner caused her to regard the stone
with more or less aversion. She be-
gan to doubt the purity of it's record
Fond though she was OF gems, even
TO the point of being a jewel worship
er. she was American to her finger
tips. and would shrink in terror from
any bsuble that came to her stained
with the tiniest drop of human blood
She had loved her husband In a
way; at any rate. she had always re-
spected and admired him. II seemed
impossible he would be a party 90
wrongdoing Yet she could not shake
OF sensation of dread whenever she
remembered how intimately the Jewel
had nestled in the SHOWS of her throat,
and rivaled the brightne of her eyes.
Could 1t be she had worn gem whose
nre was more suited to the glow of an
inferno than TO the Eden OF a good
woman's lovelinesso
Drawing about her shoulders a soft.
warm shawl. she took n seat at a win.
dow in her boudoir and sat gazing into
sky pink and gray with daybreak.
irving TO solve her real feelings in
regard to the recovery of the Mahara,
nee diamond She was in the midst
Of her meditation when she heard the
faint ringing of bell at the other end
of her big house In little while
footman raped on the door Of her
boudoir. It awakened her maid and
the girl, her eyes swollen with sleep,
approached the widow with a card
bearing no name, but inscribed with
the message:
ut is important that be permitted
to see you at once"
At such an hour? Mrs. Missioner
was astonished by the request Who
could her early visitor be? Surelysno
one in her own circle of acquaintances
would venture upon such liberty. II
It were question of life or death
there was still the telephone Secre.
cy was indicated by the attempt Of
the person to see her face to face
T..
scholarly scrawl Mrs Missioner was
not ultraconventional but the request
for an interview at that time of day
an hour that almost might be called
time OF night-was beyond the scope
Of even her liberal views However,
curiosity conquered as 1t has been do
ing In the cases OF women Jewels, and
apples since the world began. and she
informed her maid she would see the
visitor In the library.
She controlled her eagerness for
understanding of the request. never
theless, so well that when In leisure
1y way she reached the big room on
the main floor. the visitor was already
within IT, He stood at window look
ing into street and shielding him,
self behind curtain from chance
glaDces. AS his head was bare II was
not until the second glance that she
recognized the Swami She was not
only astonished, but startled by the
recognition. What could this mysteri-
ous student of the occult want with
her. What could possibly be the OBJ.
ject of his visit to her home at such
an hour? He was an old acquaint.
ance In sense. but one Mrs. Mis-.
sioner had not cultivated In this part
of the world.
He waited until she was close 10
the hearthrug before Re turned, and
said with profound bow:
Madam. my intrusion is excused
by the fact that I can restore your
Jewels"
rs 1t possible," she exclaimed.
1T is more than possible. 1t Is 4
fact accomplished" he answered
Taking from an inner pocket pack
age in silk tissue. he extended It
toward her with the words;
You will find in this parcel. madam,
all the diamonds OF your necklace
with the exception OF the largest
the Maharanee,"
But the big diamond of the whole
necklace-the Maharanee!" cried Mrs.
Missioner How did you find these
and not find that?"
Il have not said that did not re
cover IT, said the Swami. "On the
contrary, l confess to you that
gained possession OF the Maharanee
at the time when I got these; but It
must not. cannot. be restored to you"
Il am grateful for what you have
DONE the widow said gently; "but
am unable to understand your atti.
tude in regard to the missing stone.
Why should l not have that, too3 1t
is mine"
Madam" said the Oriental, in the
courtliest way. 81 would not for the
world say anything to disturb your
faith in your husband. There ia no
need Of doing SO. Your faith IL war.
ranted. Mr.. Missioner. whom he said
that. thought he WAS telling the truth
Unfortunately for you. as well as for
p1auy others. he was not speaking tho
truth. The renegade wbs sold that
Jewel to Jour husband did not buy IL
from a Maharanee. He did not buy II
from anyone. He stole it,"