Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-20
The Gem that
HAD A HISTORY
BY GILBERT M. SULLIVAN.

countryman and girl sat on a cross
board at the fore end, the man a
strapping fellow, the girl comely and
rosy as a peony. The girl descended
from the seat and went into the pawn
brokers'. He was a whiteheaded old
man and, unlike most of his trade, be-
nevolent looking.
II would like, monsieur, if you would
be so kind as to lend me a hundred
francs on this
She produced pearl the size of
nutmeg. 1t was of very unusual
shade The pawnbroker looked at it
for long while, then said:
How did you come by it?'
''Alphonse- is to marry me
has had it ever since his mother
died. We wish to be married, and we
have no means
How long ago did Alphonse's moth
er dep
when Alphonse was baby, more
than twenty years ago"
"And where did Alphonse's mother
get it?"
"AIphonse's mother was when young
lady's maid to a countess. Just before
the countess death she gave it to her
maid The countess died of smallpox.
and all but her maid had deserted
her."
Did the countess say anything about
the value of the gift?"
How could she since she was dying
and could scarcely speak? Don't you
think it is worth so much as hun
bred francs? Can't you lend anything
on it," she asked anxiously.
Does Alphonse wish to sell it?''
He has kept it for his mothers
sake. He never knew a mothers love,
but he thinks a great deal about what
his mother was like. He would rather
pawn it,
There was a look of truthfulness and
| innocence in the girls face that won
the old mans confidence.
80 you and Alphonse are lovers and
wish to borrow 100 francs on this for
the purpose of being married?"
Yes, monsieur, if you think it is
worth so much.''
The pawnbroker handed her four ma
poleons, took her address and sent her
off jubilant- He saw her go out and
communicate her happiness to her
lover by showing him the four shining
gold pieces. Then they drove away
The pawnbroker possessed a small
library of books giving the history of
valuable articles. AS soon as the
girl had gone he took down volume
| on celebrated gems that had passed
through strange hands. Turning over
the leaves. he at last came to an ac-
count of the disappearance about a
century and half ago of two large
diamonds from the English crown. A
pearl of extraordinary size and luster
t,nI ,c.or -a6 OF fl,o nr,,n n
trace had ever been discovered of the
missing gems, and after so long a
period no expectation was entertained
of their recovery.
Here was Il little gem the size of the
tip of a lady's finger that a peasant
had kept from his babyhood and was
! doubtful if he could borrow $50 on it.
Had it been displayed in a jewelers.
case, of the thousands who looked at
it not one would probably have seen
| any difference between it and the
large and brilliant jewels resting be-
side it. But for half century this
old pawnbroker had done nothing but
inspect valuable articles, chiefly jew
els. TO him the pearl stood alone.
That singular something which has no
identity. no personality, no essence,
but which we call experience, told him
that he had in his possession a gem
that a hundred and fifty years ago
had been stolen from the English
| crown.
A week passed. The couple who had
| pawned the jewel were celebrating
their wedding day. There was little
wherewith to celebrate, but they made
| the most of what they had. A letter
came by the post summoning them to
Paris at once to see the pawnbroker.
They were much frightened, fearing
that they were to be called upon to re-
deem the pearl, and they had spent the
money. Alphonse put the horse in the
wagon, and they drove into the city.
When they reached the pawnbroker' s
he sent them into a private room.
where they waited half an hour in sus-
pense- Then the pawnbroker entered
with man-an Englishman.
This is the couple" the former said
| you may question them if you like,
but you will get nothing"
The government will be happy to
pay the reward that has so long been
offered and ask no questions replied
| the other
The Englishman took from a wallet
| three notes, two for 1900 each and
one for $500, equivalent to about S12,-
600, and handed them to the groom,
who drew back, frightened.
"a wedding present for you," said
the pawnbroker, and he gave an ex-
PLANTATION of how the money came to