River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-08-29


house. I have known churchmen to
appeal to Mason in desperate straits,
perhaps upon a theory that one should
try all temporal doors before knock
ing on the gates of alabaster. But
that the esthetic and venerable Bish-
op of New York should require profane
assistance was quite beyond belief.
pulled up short by my ancient friend,
the crossing policeman.
'Scally," l said, Il believe the raw
ages Of age are beginning to mark Inc.
Can it be Bishop Simonton's carriage
/ see yonder?"
The great Celt raped himself gent
ly on the belt plate with his club.
Sure" he said, 'it's not the ravages
Of age that's dom ye any harm this
mornin', Misther Parks. 'Tis his nib's
wagon, all right"
Some aldermen must be squatting
on the Church lands" said, ito bring
this good man out at quarter before
ten on winter morning"
Visit" replied the Irish king half
covering his mouth with his gloved
hand; otis a woman" Then he
crossed the street to stop line of
drays.
The mystery was now beyond con-
lecture. l walked on slowly to the
gate and up the 1ag-path to the house.
Certain airy, nebulous conceptions had,
from the pleasantries of early Italian
letters and recent scandalous posters
along the book stalls, presented them
selves with piquant explanations.
Within the house a second and great
er surprise awaited me. Pietro met
me at the door saying that Randolph
Mason wished instantly to see me. /
gave Pietro my coat and hat and went
at once to the private Office My state
of mental f1ippancy had little prepared
me for the type of woman who arose
as l entered. l have not seen her like
in New York. If the word elegant
were not so thumbed, / should write
it here as descriptive of her-not in
n tinseled or bediZened sense, but as
the panther is elegant, as the red silk
en- horses of rajah are elegant. High
breeding, down an immemoriaI line,
produces such animals, time, through a
hundred generations, carving carefully,
like a gem engraver. Tall, supple and
straight; the eye steady, calm, re-
served, fearless, the nose straight
and thin; the lips fine, deli
cate and resolute; the chin up;
the black, glossy hair parted
in the middle and brushed back. She
was gowned in well-fitting black This
woman was perhaps fifty years old.
Instantly fitted her into the frame of
a easement window along the battery
in Charleston, or the white columns
of an estate on the James. / bowed
as she turned toward me. I think the
statue of Nathan Hale, outside in the
furry of snow, would also have bowed
had it been standing in my shoes. She
did not speak to me at all. but waited
in dignified silence for Mason to say
what was necessary to be said
Mason was standing by his table,
tapping it impatiently with the tips
of his long, sensitive fingers. thought
the lines along his mouth were brok
en- bit, his eyes a trifle warmer. But
this was certainly a fancy, for when
ne spoke it was in his usual cold voice.
Parks" he said, you must find
certain variety actress, calling herself
Madame Versay. She has in her pos
session a case of pearls belonging to
Miss Caroline Pickney. She will de-
mand ten thousand dollars in cash for
the return of these jewels. You will
say to her that Miss Pickney has final
" arranged to pay her this money.
That on the tenth day of February at
ten o'clock, the vault officer of the JEFF
ferson Trust company, in the city of
Richmond, in the presence Of Miss
Pickney here and you, will deliver to
her ten thousand dollars in currency.
She must bring with her the case Of
Jewels and hand it over to the vault
officer, who, upon the payment of the
money, will give it to Miss Pickney.
This Madame Versay is said to be I'M
der the protection of one Robert Hen
derson, police detective of New
York. This person may also be pres
ent, If Madame Versay wishes him
20 be. You will arrange for this pur-
chase with Madame Versay. You will
then accompany Miss Pickney to Rich
mond and be present with her at the
transfer of the money. Miss Pickney
will personally attend to the other
details Of the matter"
When Randolph Mason had finished
speaking, the woman picked up long
coat from her chair and began to put
it on. 1 helped her with the collar
of It. She thrust her blackgloved
hands in the deep pockets, then she
turned to Mason.
These jewels were brought from In
dia by my great-grandfather," she said,
they were worn by my great
grandmother at her wedding; by
my grandmother; by my mother,
Their value to me is beyond
estimate. Still 1 do not wish to violate
either the laws of Virginia or those
of the United States in order to re-
cover them. lido not greatly fear the
laws of Virginia. 1t cannot be that
my fathers have made laws that would
permit a creature like this actress to
retain my inheritance. But wish to
be assured, Mr.. Mason, of the entire
safety of this plan"
Mason's face showed annoyance.
Madame" he said. "a rubber of whist
could not be safer"
"Then," said the woman, Il bid you
good-morning."
A little snow was falling, and &C
nFs-e Haro1spa l0iaI-pou IN