The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-10-17

refusal to lend countenance my return London He
declared that he sympathzed with deeply and that he
always had liked "But my dear fellow Scott told
me he said to him, "what tempest in teapot I'd be
kicking up, you know, il gave royal attention to her
return to the London stage. Newcastle (he Duke Of
Newcastle formerly my broher-n-law) would raise
end of q row. and I'd be in for bitter criticism"
But Your Highness Lady May is a good sport She
never did harm in her life. She's woman who fell in
love aud took the consequences with the true British
spirit II she in fortune now it would be different
but she's down her luck and needs friend. You're
the best friend she could have"
The Prince walked away to his window, Mr.. Scott
said, and thought silently for a moment two Then
he turned to Sir Arthur
"What do you say, Sulvan-if attend her opening
will you go aongi You know, if anybody raises fuss
everybody will merely say you filed with wine and
lured me to tie theatre What do you sayi
"Done," said Sir Arthur.
cts bargain said the Prince and Sir Arthur and
Mr. Scott bowed and rushed to the manager Of the
Tvo tell him that if he would provide vehicle for
the Prince and his suite in which would be included
Sir Arthur added of the ctys greatest celebrities
would he hand in the royal box. Mr.. Sims the
ager his message off before his visitors left
his offices
: And the Prince came, and with him Sir Arthur and
Rothschild and dozen other notabes, including the
Prince of Pess who then visiting the royal family
The great success the fashion set by the
Prince everyone in London camored for opportunity to
geta seat in the stalls just to how lookedto
the love and its Establishments for which had
traded the old duchy and its castles and famous Blue
Diamond had been better or worse for me.
After in London went tour of the prov
nces, and my bank account began to swell again
recovered such of the jewels Captain Strong had stolen
my safety deposit vaults still in pawn and
paid the remainder Of debts in Buenos Aires. Cap
tain Strong drawing upon me heavily and several
times sent him thousands of dollars settle up debts
no ad ted in Paris He To
however, evidently having too good time in Paris As
soon though his creditors there became too pressing
of course he never paid debt-he fed from them and
attached himself again to me and the purse. shall tell
later how he turned up, like bad penny, during my
next success in New York.
While Twas in London this time spent many hours
during my recreation periods in the British Museum,
porting the legends contained in various manuscripts
and ancient volumes associated with the famous unnckv
jewels around which much Of the history Of the world
has been written. So varied had been my msfortunes
after the Hope Diamond into my possession that
ceased wonder there could be any truth in the
popular superstition which surrounded this beautiful
gem. could not but wonder if my misfortunes, like
those of Taverner Marie Antonette, the Princess Lam
,ale and Louis XVI, traceable to the magn inu
ence Of the ornament Of the Princess Brisbun. must
admit that after my study of the history Of other Of the
worlds 'ev' jewels found much to substantiae the
)elief that such things "devils" actually hide
themselves beneath the facets of precious stones and bring
catasrophes upon all who admire the beauty through
which their sinister influence is radiated.
found there for instance wealth of lore about the
great Oroff Diamond that mysterious stone which is
tragcaly associated with the fortunes Of the Romanos
the imperial house of Russia which knew peace after
the Count Gregor Orlo brought to Petrograd the
nfcent sparkling stone as present to the Empress
Catherine It is said the Empress her love- candes
timely to Orof his reward for making her splendid
present Her husband objected TO her gift Of favor to
Count Orls and she had him strangled. 1t is said Cath
crime never happy after the Orlo Diamond graced
her throat the first time.
| The Orlof Diamond, it afterward became known,
was found in the eye of idol in Brahmn temple
the island of Bcrngham in Mysore by French soldier:
Like the Hope Diamond it had been given to the idol in
some forgotten epoch by some faithful worshper-per
haps prince maharajah How many centuries il had
rested there blazing in the idol eye, will
know It's history lost long before modern history
began
The French soldier who it there and stole it