South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-11

"Oh, they say it's a part OF the Great
Diamond Table tina T~avernier saw
IN Golconda. In 1912. It's since dis
appeared. you know. of course
don't really think this was cut down
from the Table. but one can't help
feeling that-HeTloi"
He cut off short as the electric
bulb in the bosom OF the rose shade
snapped out, leaving the room in
utter darkness.
oh" cried Ninon. catching al
Armstrong; extended hand in alarm
1t must have burnt out. I'll ind
the troubled" Armstrong stood up,
showed the hand Ninon had touched
in surprise INTO his pocket
and brought out a match box. In an
instant he had lighted a match and
stepped TO the rose silk shade.
on inspecting the little electric
light bulb il was found to be loose.
and on screwing IL in tightly Arm
strong completed the connection and
the room was again warm and light
in the rose glow.
As the light came on Ninon jerked
a disarranged pillow into place. sank
back against IL in a hutter OF excite
ment and exhaled a relieved breath.
You were saying" she began.
as Armstrong busted his fingers and
sat down.
"Oh-about the ring" he smiled,
extending his hand again.
Ninon looked at the ring and
started back among the pillows, cry
ing. Mon Dieu."
Armstrong stared at the ring and
sat up, stiff and immovable.
The splendid diamond was gone
the band was there on his finger, but
the setting gaped empty.
Armstrong was the first 10 move.
He swallowed hard and forced a
smile. 1T must have dropped of
when I reached for my Matchbox
Pushing back the chair he made a
searching survey OF the floor. II was
highly polished hard wood. but no
glitter of a diamond greeted his
gaze.
LII zee rus AOSltuts NIAtA
Ninon. jumping TO her feet.
He caught up the antique oriental
rug and shook il. Nothing but a hair
pin dropped TO the floor. He pushed
back a lounge. dropped to his knees
and looked under il. Ninon carefully
shook out the pillows on the lounge
and searched for n gem There
,r.or - c-,olr ~ crov.foa orbora II
could have lodged.
Maybe in your t~rousairs pocket
Get dropped when you reach for zee
match 20 suggested Ninon. much ex-
cited and very sympathetic.
Armstrong examined all his pock-
cts and shook out the wrinkles in
his vest. No. Ii could not have
caught in his clothes.
Possibly in yours, Mademoiselle, -
he suggested h%esitantly.
Non, Nom she cried in alarm.
Impossible" But she shook her
skirt and the sllken folds TO her
waist.
Your hair?" Armstrong suggest
ed between stumbling lips, lingering
n hair pin ne a picked up when
he shook out the rug.
How could Get jump into my
hair" she said chidingly. with an
anxious laugh, shaking out a curl or
two and feeling carefully all over,
around and beneath her beautiful
bronze couture.
After an hours rigid search, Arm
strong was fully assured that the
gem was not i'm the room.
Your maid" he finally made bold
20 suggest.
oh! Non, Impossible" she cried
Jetulantly. she ees IA zee whole
afternoon. Monsieur is provoking
81 beg your pardon. l shouldn't
nave suggested it," Armstrong took
20 his hat TO go. I'm sorry to have
,aused YOU SO much annoyance
"Oh. Get ees nothing-and we
hall search for Get always
I hope YOU will come across II
ooncr than that. Armstrong tried
% appacr easy. "Of course. it's NOT
20 much its intrinsic worth. My
-ather wore it 80 years. you know.
would pay a handsome reward If
liz your maid found it,"
''Oh. impossible she cried ~eX-
tt.1.y. ror GAGE flushed. Bet shall