The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-02-19
81 Jane Bunker
copyrigf1.-The Robbs-h Merrill Co


desired, and warmed with high sense
of duty to the fast-departing Oscar
and it may be, natural shrinking on
the part of the lady from the embraces
of a husband minus an upper lip, a
nose and a chin, and plus some sixty
various and sundry other wounds and
scars to boot-hastened the ceremony
and were united by the castle priest in
the bonds of holy matrimony before
I the sun rose.
Imagine the messengers feelings on
arriving at the castle and finding Os-
car, instead of lying at peace in the
| family chapel with solemn candles at
his head and his heels, making a fast
recovery by the aid of his devoted
mother in spite of his nose and his
chin and his lip
Still, the news of the unprecedented
marriage was a tonic all around-es-
pecially to the messenger. Oscar cut
off his head and hung it out of the win
dow to air and then promptly got well
| in way that gave him grin satisfac-
| ton and his mother considerable UNI
easiness for her darling; and no soon
err was Oscar able to sit his horse than
he directed his attention and his army
against her whom he was pleased to
| call "faithless" and the brother whom
he designated as IAN unholy bandit"
Then did the fair lady call unto her
her own private scribe and she indited
| - Y, eel 104+ sn
| handwriting, and in 1t she told the
noble warrior that the mistake was
hers-as she saw by his gloriously
SCARED face-and she took all the
blame and offered herself and her
blood as a sacrifice in the appeasing of
his righteous wrath. Then she called
her most faithful maid-of-all-work and
said: 'Lady-in-waiting, l deliver this
into thy keeping Now fetch me my
golden goblet, lock the door and ask
| no questions"
And with this attended to, Elfreda.
stationing the lady-of-all-work in the
proper attitude with the goblet in
readiness to catch her hearts blood,
plunged dagger in her bosom and
died.
The faithful lady-in-waiting obedi-
emily caught the blood as it fell
seven great drops. But, oh, miracle
when she looked into the golden goblet
what did she behold? Seven drops,
unmixed as when they fell from the
gaping wound of her beloved mistress
seven glorious blood-red diamonds!
But she was strictly honest. The
letter and the diamonds, still in the
golden goblet, were conveyed to Oscar
at the appointed hour, and at sunset
the two brothers united their tears
above the bier of the beautiful FL
freGa.
Such was the legendary origin of the
most wonderful diamonds in the world
"a collection created by miracle; and
theacefortb, in keeping with their
mystic origin, they assumed peculiar
role in the history of nations, binding
bargains and sealing treaties of peace.
But now the later legends had en-
lowed the stones with occult powers
which were impaired to their posses
sors-the renewal of youth, wealth,
untold energy of mind and spirit.
A century after the stones were
taken to Venice and cut and their real
glory was revealed to the world; and
at last they excited the envy of Bis
marck and came into the possession of
the emperor, grandfather to the pres
ent William, thence to William the
present.
To this legend Billy and had lis
tened with unblinking interest. Mon
sieur told it in the sustained manner
of one immured to secrets of state. 1t
was he who broke the spell of our
silence by asking me for a glass of
water.
/ carried the water to him and
turned away my eyes while he held the
glass with his two hands to his lips.
THAT'S quite a yarn" observed
Billy, blowing out a cloud.
sYarnY" questioned monsieur.
STORY tale-narrative," Billy ex-
planned. "Une historic" on which
monsieur frightened and declared:
| "C'est une veritable historic"
'True when it happened" translated
Billy. "But what / don't see is, where
you come in on the diamond DEAL"
''I?" said monsieur, giving me look
that asked: rs there anything have
not beautifully explained?"
"Yes-you; / don't seem yet to see
where you belong in this veritable his
toire," returned Billy, looking about
for an ash tray, but driving at his
point-"I don't see what part you play
in it at all? Granted that the dia-
monds belong to the Emperor William
now, then, what are you doing with
them?p
"I?" again he looked at me. II am
trying to find zem for re Emperor VIII
liam."
"All right. But what are you doing
with them-in American" Billy's tone
was severe. "That is what you have
to answer
Billy looked the man straight in the
eyes, defantly, and thought, for just
the fraction of second, that he
quailed under the boyish honest stare.
Yes, sir" continued Billy, as mon
sieur did not Immediately reply,
there's quite gap between the EN-
peror's owning them and your having
them. Very possibly ! am lacking In
Imagination, but to be quite frank, /
can't see the connection"