The Irish standard., 1915-10-16

lasco Bowen gathered up the remain.
Ing Roman candles. and. picking his
way to the bow. steadied himself in
the rocking boat, grasped q stick of
punk from M. Van Wendt's hand, and
touched of all the candles in q bunch.
He lurched awkwardly with dip of
he boat, and a shower Of sparks scat.
tered over Constance Van Wendt.
my dress!" she cried, frantically
lighting OF the sparks.
A dozen hands few to her aid, and
the sparks were instantly extin.
guished. Belasco Bowen apologized
sincerely, and no harm being done, re-
turned to waving his candles over the
water out Of harms way.
Constance Van Wendt was excited
ly arranging her attire with the help
Of her solicitous mother.
"Your diamond? The Duchess Dia-
mond!" cried Mrs. Van Wendt sudden.
". Where is it,"
Miss Van Wendt's hand went to her
throat, cropping for the chain on which
the famous stone had swung. "Why,
it's gone!" She felt among the frills
Of her dress, her face anxiously lined
and CHASTITY white in the glare of Bow
ems falling rockets.
The deck was searched, Miss Van
Wendt's clothes were shaken out, and
when the launch was finally moored at
San Marco the whole party fell to ex-
aiming the foor-planks for crevices.
But nothing came to light, until Belas-
co Bowen, beside himself with anx-
tety for having indirectly caused the
loss. caught q CLINT of gold on the gun
vale, and found the chain hanging
down, on the outside, almost touching
the water.
Van Wendt grasped the thin chain
and jerked it OF.
"The stone slid into the water, Con-
stance!" he cried, holding up the finely
linked chain. "It's gone down to the
bottom of the Grand canal!"
Il must replace i'll" cried Belasco
Bowen anxiously. ut was my stupid
awkwardness that caused 1t all. In
fighting the fire some one must have
accidentally torn It from her throat"
"The chain was specially made,
there is platinum wire running
through it." explained Van Wendt,
holding it up. Il thought it was safe"
He passed 1t into the hand of Chris
topher Poe. '.See! it must have caught
on something. An awful wrench. Didn't
you feel it. Constance?"
In the excitement and everything" !"
she murmured, Il don't know what
felt"
The party, already having dwindled
to dozen, fled sadly into q cafe for
supper.
1--WE heard Of the stone," whispered
one of the college youths, as the pa
triotic party took seats. "It's worth q
cool hundred thousand. Van Wendt
is the Chicago grain operator, you
know"
All the madness Of celebration had
dickered out, and the remaining tour.
lists sat lowering over ices, hushed,
hanging on the words of Van Wendt.
There is Just chance that some
body might have picked up the stone,"
| suggested Bowen, glancing about the
table thoughtfuily.
mo, there is no chance, the chain
was trailing in the water; should
have. had the stone fastened to 1t, but
the jeweler said It must slide. and I let
him have his way. But, come, don't
let this put a damper on us. Let's all
have nightcap and break up" Van
| Wendt's forced cheerfulness chilled
them all, and the nightcap was me-
chanically drunk in silence.
Half an hour later there remained at
the table only Belssco Bowen and
Christopher Poe.
"Mr Hardy. what would you do in
= position like mine?" asked Bowen,
earnestly addressing the New York
banker, whose affected simplicity and
sincerity had won his confidence.
"You see, am morally to blame for
the loss, but the stone could not be
duplicated. might send them another
anonymously to make up for it,
"Mr. Van Wendt seemed satisfied
that it was only an unavoidable acci.
dent; am sure he can stand the loss, %
replied Christopher Poe.
You don't think he'll harbor any
resentment toward meg"
"Why. no. It was all in the game.
He came along with us, and the acci-
dent happened, that's all. You are no
more responsible than I am"
But urged the Van Wendts to Join
u.s." said Bowen ruefully.
Its mighty unfortunate, but I'd for.
get it If were you. You started a
good time, and we all enjoyed it; let's
think of that instead of the unfortu-
nate climax"
Il guess you're right, but I do feel
guilty. I suppose there's no chance
to dredge the Canal?"
"Of course not. The diamond'o
gone, let the dead rest. Let's change
the subject. Tell me something to
see in Venice; it's all new to me, and
you seem quite at home"
"The galleries and castles Of course
you've SEEM"
"Yes, but isn't there some Summing
or something to do in this city of
bridges? I've been looking for some
body who could show me an exciting
place or two. Something different,
that's what want"
"Tll take you to the fish-markets to-
morrow, if you like. It's quite a
sight" offered Bowen.
Bully! Would you? I like that
sort of thing, and it isn't often one
meets a kindred spirit"
That's right" replied Bowen heart.