The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-12-16

'' ohOSneu tue StalQ respect
able Venetians plying back and forth
In their somber gondolas. and made
matter for ambitious reporters and cor
respondents.
The canal rang with uncorked ma
triotism, and those who had been long.
est from home were widest in their
demonstrations.
AS the gay ride drew to an end, be
lasco Bowen gathered up the remain
ing Roman candles, and, picking his
way TO the bow, steadied himself in
the rocking boat, grasped a stick OF
punk from NJ. Van WendUs hand, and
touched off all the candles in bunch.
He lurched awkwardly with a dip of
the boat, and shower of sparks scat
tered over Constance Van WenGt.
MY dress!" she cried, frantically
fighting off the sparks.
A dozen hands flew 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
ly. 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 floor-planks for crevices.
But nothing came to light, until Belas-
CO Bowen, beside himself with anx-
iety for having indirectly caused the
loss, caught a 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 off.
The stone slid into the water, Con-
stance!" he cried, holding up the finely
linked chain. Its gone down to the
bottom of the Grand canal"
Il must replace it," cried Belasco
Bowen anxiously. ut was my stupid
awkwardness that caused it all. In
fighting the fire some one must have
accidentally torn it from her throat"
THE chain was specially made,
there is a platinum wire running
through it," explained Van Wendt,
holding it up. Il thought it was safe. "
He passed it into the hand of Chris
TOPPER Poe. "Seel 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, filed sadly into cafe for
supper.
1--WE heard of the stone," whispered
one of the college youths, as the pa
triotic party took seats. Its worth a
cool hundred thousand. Van Wendt
is the Chicago grain operator, you
know"
All the madness of celebration had
f1ickered 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 thoughtfully.
mo, there is no chance, the chain
was trailing in the water; should
have had the stone fastened to it, but
the ieweler said it must slide, and let
him have his way. But come, don't
let this put damper on us. Let's all
have a 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 Belasco Bowen and
Christopher Poe.
Mr. Hardy, what would you do in
a. position like miner" 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 1t"
Mr.. Van Wendt seemed satisfied
that it was only an unavoidable acct
dent; am sure he can stand the loss,
replied Christopher Poe.
You don't think he'll harbor any
resentment toward me?"
why, no. 1t was all in the game.
He came along with us. and the acct
dent happened, that's all. You are no
more responsible than l am"
But urged the Van Wendts to join
u.s." said Bowen ruefully.
Its mighty unfortunate, but q ior-
get It IL l were you. You started
good time. and we all enjoyed 1t; let's
think of that instead Of the unfortu-
nate climax"
II guess you're right. but DO feel
guilty. / suppose there's no cnance
to dredge the Canal?"
"Of course not The olamona .