The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-10-15


carriage before Randolph Mason's
house. l have known churchmen to
appeal to Mason In desperate straits,
perhaps upon 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.
i pulled up short by my ancient friend.
the crossing policeman.
"Scally," l said, 81 believe the raw
ages OF age are beginning to mark me.
Can 1t be Bishop Simonton's carriage
l see yonder7"
The great Celt raped himself gent
ly on the belt plate with his club.
Sure" he said, ITS not the ravages
OF age that's dom ye any harm this
mornin'. Misther Parks. It's his nibs
wagon, all right"
Some aldermen must be squatting
on the Church lands" 1 said, Ito bring
this good man out at a quarter before
ten on a winter morning"
Visit" replied the Irish king half
covering his mouth with his gloved
crossed the street to stop a line Of
drays.
the mystery was now beyond con-
lecture. l walked on slowly to the
gate and up the flag path to the house.
Certain airy. nebulous conceptions had
from tho 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
sr surprise awaited me. Pietro met
me Mt 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
or mental fiippancy had little prepared
me for the type of woman who arose
as entered. have not seen her like
In New York. If the word elegant
were not so thumbed, l should write
II here as descriptive of her-not in
tinseled or bedizened sense, but as
the panther Is elegant. as the red silk
on horses OF a rajah are elegant. High
breeding. down an immemorial line
produces such animals, time, through a
hundred generations, carving carefully,
like 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 violating 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
or an estate on the James. I bowed
as she turned toward me. / think the
statue of Nathan Hale. outside in the
furry OF snow, would also have bowed
had 1t been standing IN my shoes. She
did not speak to me at all, but waited
In dignifed silence for Mason to say
what was necessary to be said.
Mason was standing by his table.
tapping II impatiently with the tips
OF his long, sensitive fingers. / thought
the lines along his mouth were brok-
en- bit. his eyes trifie warmer. But
! this was certainly a fancy, for when
he spoke it was in his usual cold voice
Parks" he said, you must find a
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
ly arranged to pay her this money
20 on
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 II TO Miss Pickney
This Madame Versay is said to be un
der the protection of one Robert Hen
derson. police detective OF New
York This person may also be pres
ent, II Madame Versay wishes him
TO be. You will arrange for this pur
chase with Madame Yersay. You will
then accompany Miss P.ckney to Rich
mond and be present with her at the
transfer OF the money. Miss Pickney
Will personally attend to the othel
details OF the matter"
When Randolph Mason had finished
speaking. the woman picked up Ions
coat from her chair and began to pu
II on. helped her with the collar
OF IT, she thrust her black.gloyeC
hands in the deep peck cts. then sh,
turned to Mason.
These jewels were brought from In
dia by my Breatgrandfather," she said
they we're worn by my great
grandmother at her wedding; by
my grandmother; by my mother
Their value to me IS beyon,
estimate Still do MOI " sin to violat,
4 either the laws OF Virginia or those
Of the United States IN order TO re
T cover them. do not yIes thy fear tn,
/ laws Of Virginia Il mot be tina
/ my fathers have made laws that woul,
Kermit creature liko this actress t,
+ retain my inheritance. Eut I wish G,
he assured. Mr. Mason. Of tho entire
safety OF this plan
7 Masons face showed annoysnc.
Madame" he said. "a rubber OF viii
could not be safer"
Then" said tho woman, 81 bid you
good morning"
a little snow was falling. and &c.