The Washington herald., 1922-03-03
ConssnueS from Yesterday.


With the attention of the entire
Bsrstowe dinner party centered
upon him, Mrs. Barstowe's 'Iion'.
related the story of the Ricci neck
lace, which Jeanne wore around her
slim, young throat.
Twenty years ago" began the
scientist. "the most famous woman
In Rome was Magdala Ricci. She
was not only beautiful, but pos
sessed of a marvellous voioe When
she sang her cOuntrymen shouted
and vept for Joy. She was the idol
: or all Italy, and she had suitors
from all parts Of the world. Titles
and nillionaires, men talented in
literature, art and music, all pros
trated themselves at her feet.
One of her admirers. the heir 20
so great that he would voluntarily
have relinquished succession to the
crown. had his father not inter-
fered. As II was, he went away
reluctantly. giving her, as a mo-
mento of his lasting devotion, the
necklace which you now see around
the throat of our hostess's beau
tifuI daughter-In-faw"
Jeanne felt herself crimsoning
under the double row Of eyes turned
toward her. Lowering her own in
embarrassment, she looked into the
part of the center ruby on the
Fand. It seemed to her that its
Using fire was like the winking
a crimson eye, baneful, malig-
Ynant.
''Curiously enough" the little sci
enlist continued. the fair Ricci
would have none of the admirers
: who worshiped at her shrine: In
stead, she centered her affection
upon a young vioIinist. a mere
stripping. who played in the cafes.
He was obscure, a nobody, but the
loved him instantly. Here enters
the ironic hand of fate
Maid Is Rival.
cit so happened that the young
violinist's affections were already
engaged. He loved a young girl
of obscure family who had come
to Rome to work as a servant, and
who had eventually attained the
high distinction of becoming the
Ricci's personal maid. This un-
sition, for the Diva was given to tenn
peramental bursts of fury. when
she almost wrecked her luxurious
apartments: so your own fancy can
paint for you what must have hap
pened when the great singer dis
eovaFed that not she, but her little
maid, possessed the heart Of the
Touth she loved.
But, so the story goes. neither
kears. anger, demand nor entreaties.
Icouid break the attachment. and
for once the Ricci was powerlvss.
II was probably her own impotence
lin the situation which made this
capricious woman cling to a head
long infatuation, in spite OF obsta-
cies.
They say that several years
went by. with the young violinist
still faithful to his love. and the
Diva, chagrined, almost hopeless.
but still clinging to her infatua-
ton"
The little scientist leaned for
ward. his small black eyes glitter
ing. with the excitement Of
raconteur who reaches the climax
Of his story.
"Then one day the ruby necklace
kept In a jewel box which had be-
longed to the Borgias."
Jeanne felt the lightning glance
o. Vera Dayton She was conscious,
too, OF her mother-in-law's eyes.
They expressed only well-bred in
tsrest in the scientists story, but
Jeanne could Reel the freshness be-
hind them.
The jewel case had no key. 1t
could be opened only by touching
a secret spring. Only the Diva and
her maid knew where that spring
was concealed. The circumstances
Of the disappearance. with which I
won't bore you, pointed to the maid
as the. thief. All Rome smiled and
shrugged its shoulders. knowing
the triangle of the famous diva, the
young violinist and the unfortunate
little maid. But the police and
famous detectives brought from
Scotland Yard proved to their own
Satisfaction that unless the Ricci
herself had thrown the jewels in
tha asa or dfSnoaad oF than In