The Washington times., 1920-08-15
~ he OtartIlng IIIstOry or
This Fascinating Stone,
the Curse That Has Followed Its
Owners for Fourteen Centuries
and the Story Of the Ruined Life
Of May Yohe, Who Once
Owned It and Wore 1t.

address in poverty stricken section Of the city With
misgvngs Elason kept the appointment and found
a dying man in utter desttution. 1t Francis Beau
u and in his wasted hand rested the famous Hope Da
mond. He died the day after he sold the jewel.
Eliason realized the wonderful bargain he had made
and set himself about finding purchaser at good round
figure After many offers he finally sold the diamond in
1880 the Hoes the wealthy British bankers for 5000
pounds, about $4,000 .,.
But during this time, before the diamond came into
the possession Of my husband, Lord Hope, there
many other interesting episodes in which it associ
ated Of which will tell later.
And now, back again to my story.
So much has been written about and much has
been whispered about that often wonder if people
credit girl Of the stage, such with deep love
of real In first few years of the
stage was much sought after must admit and had
countless proposals Of marriage but refused them all
/ wanted romance Of my
In those days almost everything did exagger-
ated Of course and accused of many unconventon
alities would have dared to be guilty Of But
people liked me- and there anything seriously
bad said about me- suppose lots of folk think
married Lord Hope piece of stage srategy-for the
title. Let me tell how met Lord Hope, and then my
readers may for themselves if it just the
magic wand of romance playing over me.
had come back to New York one of the foremost
musical comedy stars Of the time. Everywhere was
welcomed with paudits and praise and there was no
salary possible to the theatre might not have demanded
banques and all the things that the professional
person who is appauded in the newspapers So used to
like to get away from it ALL for hour two day.
and drive in of the hanson cabs accompanied only by
q close friend
One afternoon driving in Central Park when
three young walking at the edge of the road
abreast of Each Of the young tan walking
boots These a curiosity in the States then and
could not help looking closely at the three pairs of feet
and the young men who owned them One of the trio
caught staring at him. and raising his hat smiled at
WI a rank ennile in yUhin I
couldn't take the slightest ofense. The young
with said:
"That Englishman has kind eyes Maysie"
''How do Won know he's English2'' l asked
He must be, she replied. mo one but an English
man would wear such ugly boots
Then something queer happened. We finished our
drive and stopped Fifth do bit of shopping
This two hours after the incident in the park but as
came out OF the shop who should run into on the
Sidewalk looking into the windows of the shop but the
same three young men. They us, and the one who
nad raised his hat to recognized and smiled again
felt weak strange sensation me- and stag.
gered little My friend cutched my arm and asked
me what was the matter. 81 don't know" answered,
but feel il my life going to change from this
minute My friend was not sympathetic. l remember
very well her only comment wa You re crazy with the
That same night was guest a smart dinner party
given at old Delmonico's. When we sat down 1 sud
denly realized that the chair mine was empty /
asked host the reason, and he explained that the
chair to have been occupied by English friend Of
his who had sent word that he had had hard day and
did not feel quite equal to dining oht that night
disliked the idea of sitting "next to a draupht as
we used to term empty chair at dinner protested
to my host and with mock Imperialism demanded that he
send henchmah out at for this unmannery recuse
and let him know that May Yohe ddn t think much Of
him anyway but would rather have him in the chair than
at all.
Laughingly my host assented, saying the Englishman
lived at hotel not far uptown An hour later the
ngr returned and the tuant guest entered the room
bit sheepish but smilngly pleasant and apologetic
had made up my mind to snub the gentleman in the most
henous fashion when he arrived but this resolve went
a-glimmerng when-and my surprise may be imagined
recognized in him the Englishman of the tan boots
He too, was nonplussed though he recovered himself
quite as quickly as the accomplished actress The host
came up and was speaking. "Allow me, Miss Yohe to
present Mr.. Hope of England" Not Lord Hope, but
just plain Mr. Hope my readers will notice 1t was not
until long after actually engaged to marry "Mr"
Hope that learned that he also Lord" Hope.
Next week shall tell Of courtship and Of the
great surprise that came to me when realized that
to become Lady May"