The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-01-25
CONDENSED
CLASSICS
~
TIE MooNsToNE
~
By wILKIE COLLINS
Condensation by
.,.. Jessie A. Parsona, Smith
College Library
.. wlLKlE COLLINS


wiikie Collins met Charles |
~.. liz future was shortly de- |
~ RE lives Of the two were inti- |
~, connected thereafter. Dickens !
...aucting "HOusehold WOrds."
-, n Collins contributed. ~ he did
Ear the Year Round" also In
80 Of Dickens, . large number Of
81. close friendship and cooperation
n,.kers not only found the direction
n. c.lli.s to follow, but 1t seemed to
"a m to the type of story on which
~. n. fame, that in which the skill
=, ..wirdinG Of nm intricate and ex-
..,.~ plst, and the construction of q
.s.,s.ehly Involved mystery banies the
..sa.r n q maze of details and cir
"-.ta,ees. He might lack humor, fail
!. a,sreeiate the finer shades OF char
~ Int he certainly conceived some
..'sEi.r personaIitiesy for his own type
y .tery he was unsurpassed by any of
~ contemporaries.
Srse Woman In White" (1S0O) was his
,,..t success, ''The Moonstonc" (1s6s)
n. q close second in the opinion Of
: lsrxe and devoted following Of
lesdefs.
n EFORE the Mohammedan con-
r. quest the Moon-god. in his
- Brahmin shrine, wore upon his
forehead one of the most beautiful dia-
monds in creation. partly from it's
PECULIAR color partly from a supersti-
don which represented 1t as partaking
Of the nature of the deity whom it
sdoned, and growing and lessening in
MISTER with the waxing and waning Of
the moon it first gained the name by
which it continues to be known in In
da to this day-the name Of 1.-THE
Noonstone." After passing from one
hwless hand to another. in 1850, latter
the lapse of eight centuries the Moon
stone looks forth over the walls Of the
sacred city in which its story first be-
pn."
Throughout this long period the
Moonstone had been sought diligently
BY three Brahmins and their success
ors. Their vigilance was, in 1S4S. re-
varded ty the sight Of the respondent
gem glea ming on the bosom of light
hearted girl. Rachel Verinder had re-
ccived the MOonstOne as legacy from
On unscrupulous uncle who was in high
dlsfavor with the family. Knowing
that the Moonstonc brought ill-luck, the
Eft was made in revenge.
Although thoroughly admired at
Miss Verinder's birthday dinner. the
uncanny influence Of the stone made
Itself felt in the atmosphere Of the
party. Two rival suitOrs were present
both cousins of Rachel Verinder
One, Godfrey Ablewhite. persuasive in
manner and eloquent as chairman Of
many charitable organizations, lived in
the neighborhood and had hitherto
gained the advantage which propinQui-
y gave him over Franklin Blake. late
y returned to England. bringing the
Aoonstone, after several years spent
% the continent. The latter was a
uest Of Mrs. Verinder three weeks be-
lore the birthday. where his gracious
ness and congeniality to Miss Verinder
made him most welcome. Hence 1t
was not surprising that Rachel fell in
eve with him and refused the impor-
mnlties of Godfrey Ablewhite just be-
tofe the birthday dinner. This major
'ens'on. accompanied by various mis-,
understandings on the part Of other
uestA, ended in a dispute between the
amily physician and Franklin Blake
over the latter's sleeplessness In which
me doctor failed to convince him that
aeolcine could triumph over his
nerves.
IN hearing drum the guests rushed
% tne terrace to be confronted by
"ree Indian jugglers. At a word from
ooe Of the diners. a celebrated Indian
aaVeler, the intruders hurriedly re
ueated. This surprising turn of events
argued for putting the Moonstone into
specially safe keeping, but Miss Ra
nei' with ideas Of her own, insisted
VI placing 1t in an unlocked Indiar
uolnet In her dressing-room. The com
pany then dispersed. leaving Franklin
0'ake' who looked wretched. and
NJ. Ablewhite together. After much
urging Mr.. Blake decided to take
O'andy and water to help combat hi:
neeplessness.
Inc household was startled neE
turning at the disappearance of tn,
s,ooastone. Franklin Blake. Away.
a'ert' was instrumental In bringing Ii
1e nearest police. Rachel became ex
.seu'ns'y angry at their intrusion an,
va css deeply offended with FRANKLIN
DUKE Tor securing them. The chief O
"'ce succeeded in making a mess o
-ua'rs and was superseded by the ia
~uus detective Sergeant Cuff.
me Chief of police had aroused thu
,esentment of the servants by examin
us helr boxes; Sergeant Cuff wished
"ee'n with the personal effects o
ae mmily. not looking for the Moon
s ',oue but rather for an article o
so'nlng bearing paint stain from thu
'Oor OF Rachel's boudoir. Everyone
seceded but Miss Verinder, who gave
moSt decided refusal. The only ser
p ."' suspected by the sergeant wa
.~"s 'a Spearman, who had been res