The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-04
THE MOONSTONE
BY COLLINS
Condensation by Miss Jessie College Library
Mass

Before the Mohammedan conquest,
the Moon-god, in his Brahmin shrine,
wore upon his forehead one of the
most beautiful diamonds in creation.
Partly from its peculiar color, partly
from superstition which represented
1t as partaking of the nature of the
deity whom it adorned, and growing
and lessening in lustre with the wax
ing and waning Of the moon, it first
gained the name by which it con-
tinues to be known in India to this
day-the name of THE MOON
STONE After passing from one law
less hand to another, in 1850, latter
the lapse Of eight centuries, the Noon
stone looks forth over the walls in
the sacred city where it's story first
began"
Throughout this long period the
Moonstone had been sought dilligent-
ly by three Brahmi1s and their success
sors. Their vigilance was, in 1913.
rewarded by the sight of the resplen-
was in high disfavor with the family.
dent gem cleaning on the bosom of
a ESht-hearted girl. Rachel Verinder
had received the Moonstone as a leg
acy from an unscrupulous uncle who
was in high disfavor with the family.
Knowing that the Moonstone brought
lll'luck, the gift was made in revenge.
Although thoroughly admired at
Miss Verinder's birthday dinner, the
uncanny influence of the stone made
itself felt in the atmosphere of the
party. Two rival suitors were pres
ent-both cousins of Rachel Verinder.
One, Godfrey Ablewhite, persuasive in
manner and eloquent as chairman Of
many charitable organizations, lived
in the neighbOrhood and had hitherto
gained the advantage which pcopin-
putty gave him over Franklin Blake,
lately returned to England, bringing
the Moonstone, after several years
spent on the continent. The latter
was a guest of Mrs. Verinder three
weeks before the birthday, where his
graciousness and congeniality to Miss
Verinder made him most welcome.
Hence it was not surprising that Rach-
ell fell in love with him and refused
the opportunities of Godfrey Able
white just before the birthday dinner.
This major tension accompanied by
various misunderstanding on the part
of other guests ended in a dispute be-
tween the family physician and Frank
lin Blake over the latter's sleepless-
ness, in which the doctor failed to
convince him that medicine could
triumph over his nerves.
On hearing a drum the guests rush
ed to the terrace to be confronted by
three Indian jugglers. At word from
one of the diners, a celebrated Indian
traveller, the intruders hurriedly re-
treated The surprising turn Of events
60 ~ i,,As
especially safe keeping, but Miss
Rachel, with ideas of her own, insist
ed on placing it in an unlocked Indian
cabinet in her dressing room. The
company then dispersed, leaving
Franklin Blake, who looked wretched-
ly, and Mr.. Ablewhite together. At
ter much urging Mr.. Blake decided to
take a brandy and water to help com
bat his sleeplessness.
The household was startled next
morning at the disappearance of the
Moonstone. Franklin Blake, always
alert was instrumental in bringing
the nearest police. Rachel became
exceedingly angry at their intrusion,
and was deeply offended with Franklin
Blake for securing them. The chief
of police succeeded in making a mess
OF affairs ana was superseded ny luS
famous detective, Sergeant Cuff.
The chief of police aroused the re-
sentiment OF the servants by eXamin-
ing their boxes; Sergeant Cuff wished
to begin with the personal effects of
the family, not looking for the Moon
stone but rather for an article of cloth
ing bearing a paint stain from the
door of Rachel's boudoir. Everyone
acceded but Miss Verinder, who gave
a most decided refusal. The only SER
want suspected by the Sergeant was
Rosanna Spearman who had been res
cued from misfortune by Lady We
rinder. She was discovered by Ser
geant Cuff to have bought a quantity
of plain white cloth and made and
Numbered new garment in her room
when supposed to be i'll with head
ache Miss Rachels point-blank re-
fusal to have her possessions searched
and her decision to leave her home
ended in her gaining her point and the
dismissal of the detective, who left
the Verinder home convinced that
Miss Rachel had disposed of the dia-
mond through the connivance of Ros-
pressing debt.
Raclel ana Lazy NerlnCer spent
some little time in London where
Rachel was ordered by her physician
to have as much gaiety as possible
to counteract the depression Of re-
cent events. Franklin Blake left for
the continent and Godfrey Ablewhite
again resumed his attentions to Ra-
chel Shortly after leaving Lady We
FINDERS country home for London,
Godfrey Ablewhite was summoned to
a strange house by an unknown per-