Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1920 — Page 3

Diamond Cut Diamond

By JANE BUNKER

OatyriaCit to the Bobto-Merrfil Cosoomv He smiled then for the first time and said: “Madame, you are a brave woman.” —— 7~ Which I thought bwas—considering; but I didn’t mean to let him see I thought so. Without waiting for any more compliments I finished, “You see, you’d discovered you couldn’t get in while I was in, so if you wished to get in, you had to come while I was out — and I gave you the chance. Perfectly simple.” “A mere decoy —such as anybody might use,” Billy tossed at him. "I hope you’re Convinced —it was a mere decoy,” said I, pointing to the letter in his hand, “You have convinced me,” he replied bitterly, looking at his • handcuffs. “Permit me to congratulate you, madame. You are ze first person—man or woman —In Europe or America — who has caught De Ravenol in a trap. Madame, you are clever—you are brave —you are a so sagacious intellect And now, madame, permit me to ask you, what are you, going to do wis me?” It wasn’t so much what he said as the way he said it that drove a sudden chill through my bones. Pd been asking myself that for several minutes ; but as monsieur put it It was—well —like pulling up a fishing line when you think you’ve got a bite and finding you’ve got a piece of a forest In tow. I had to say something, however, and this was the thing that seemed called for: “Give you up to the police.” Monsieur rose unsteadily to his feet «nd holding out his manacled hands to m e—and he was really impressive In spite of his being so rumpled and sloppy—he slowly uttered: “Madame, before you call in ze police, I have somesing of great importance to yourself to communicate.” He paused. I nodded. “ZOSE DIAMONDS WHICH HAVE BEEN STOLEN BELONG TO ZE EMPEROR OF GERMANY.” With those words monsieur actually turned the tables on us! It was at Once his statement of our mistake and oqr mjafortune, Billy says be “saw warships carving Atlantic waves.” I saw an army with banners. And behind all their immediate significance, stood an ironelftd background that spelled determination. A minute before we had been dealing with a man; now we were dealing with a power. I am free to pdmlt that neither Billy per I doubted,'Jthe truth of the statemeat once tt fas uttered—there was an atmosphere about monsieur and his manacled hands that carried eonvictiw; and whll*wwy details were still statement did explain the idianionds. Which was the main thing, for Pd always said they never . belonged to any but a crowned head. There are some things in this world much too large for private parties to carry the responsibility of. And so completely was I captured by an adequately explained ownership that I wqsi almost ready to pull the diamonds from their hiding place at the bottom of the sideboard drawer and send them back —per monsieur—to the Emperor William with my compliments, when Billy burst out, “Where’s your proofF in a way that struck me as irreverent, not to say rude. v Monsieur repressed a sneer and replied that certain proofs would bq forthcoming at the proper moment; and that meanwhile,, throwing himself upon our mercy and to illuminate the mistake we’d made, he would tell us everything—and would start with the legend of the so precious stones. Once upon a time, about the four* teenth century, or so, there lived in one of the states comprising the now United Fatherland, a very powerful grand duke or kinglet, with two grown sons; in another neighboring province the size of Greater New York lived another very powerful duke, who boasted a beautiful daughter. Those were the days when war was cheaper than peace. But since a war between these two kinglets would inevitably lead to the total extermination of both parties and leave nothing to show for their prowess but heaps of fire-scorched stonesand a few halfwitted peasants—who had no right to be alive, anyway—these wise kinglets bethought them that by uniting their forces—and Incidentally a son and a dangbten—they could together conquer the surrounding territory for as much as ten square miles. Now, Oscar, the prospective bridegroom, Was busily engaged in a dramatic border war with a powerful duchy the else Nantucket, so there was naught for it but to dispatch the handsome younger ,to plight hiS brother’s troth by . The dates were seh ons all seemed moving «i«wig Its aapetnted course, when post-haste comes a trusty messencer sad delivers himself of jdm tide be toss ridden all day to bring—that Oscar has been smitten through the helmet, thereby toeing a nosean - —— *

me tnroes or dissolution. . CbnSteraation reigned in the castle, broken by the sobs of the fair Elfreda, the shy glances of the bereaved brother—who would become the he! r apparent—and the wise silence of the old kinglet It was not long before a decision was reached satisfactory to all persons—except Oscar, lying in* his tent comforting himself with thoughts of the grief of his beautiful betrothed, whom he had never set eyes on; for the two young people, Fritz and Elfreda, knowing that a marriage between the families was greatly to be desired, and warmed with a high sense of duty to the fast-departing add it may be, a 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 i scars to boot —hastened the ceremony and were united by the castle priest in the bonds of holy matrimony before the sun rose. Imagine the messenger’s feelings on arriving at the castle and finding Oscar, instead of lying at peace in the family chapel with solemn candles at 1 bls head and his heels, making a fastrecovery by the aid of his devoted mother In spite of Ns. nose and his . chin and his lip! Still, the news of the unpremeditated . marriage was a tonic all around —especially to thd messenger. Oscar cut off his head and hung it out of the window to air and then promptly got well, in a way that gave him grim satisfaction and his mother considerable un- . easiness for her darling; and no sooner was Oscar able to sit his horse than he directed hid attention and his army. against 'her whom, he was; pi eased to call “faithless” and the brothe'r whom he designated as ‘-an unholy bandit.”

Then did the fair lady call unto her her own private scribe and she indited a beautiful letter in her own hired handwriting, and in it she told the noble warrior that the mistake was hers —as she saw by his gloriously scarred sac 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 mald-of-all-work and said: “Lady-in-waiting, I deliver this into thy keeping. Now fetch me my golden goblet, lock the door and ask do Questions.” And with this attended to, ESfreaa, stationing the lady-of-all-work in the proper attitude with the goblet in readiness to catch her heart’s b l ood, plugged a dagger in her bosom and died. - The faithful-lady-in-waiting obediently caught the blood as it fellseven great drops. But, 08, 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-/ed 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 abqve the bier of the beautiful Elfreda. Such was the legendary origin of the ■most wonderful diamonds in the world —a collection created by miracle; and thenceforth, in keeping with their , mystic origin, they assumed a peculiar role in the history of nations, binding bargainsand sealing treaties of peace. But now tfie later legends had en»' dowed the stones with occult powers which were imparted to their possessors—the renewal of youth, wealth, untold energy of mind and spirit. A century after the stones wet® taken to Venice and cut and their real glory was revealed to the world; and at last they excited the wty of Binmarck and came into the possession of the emperor, grandfather to the present William, thence to William the present. .; To this legend Billy and I had listened with unblinking interest Monsieur told it in the sustained manner of one immured to secrets of state. It

still

"That's Quite a Yam," Observed Billy.

was he who broke the well of our sßents hy asking me for jn IgHig M water.' CI carried the water to him and turned away my eyes while he held the gjggi with hands to his lipa. • v - If ' ' ——

nhß BANNING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER. UTO-

Billy, blowing out a cioua. “‘Yarn?’” questioned monsieur. “Story—tale—narrative,” Billy explained. “Une hlstolre,” on which monsieur brightened and declared: “Cest une veritable hlstolre.” "True when it happened,” translated Billy. “But what I don’t see is, where you come in on the diamond deal;” “IF said monsieur, giving me a look that asked:. “Is there anything I have not beautifully explained?” — "Yes—you; I don’t seem yet to see where you belong in this veritable Nstoire,” returned Billy, looking about for an ash tray, but driving at Ns point—“l don’t see what part you play in It at all? Granted that the diamonds belong to the EmpferorWilltam —now, then, what are you doing with them?” / “IF again he looked at me.. “I am trying to find zem for ze Emperor William.”'" -. “All right. But what are you doing with them —in America?” Billy’s tone was severe. “That is what you have to answer.” Billy looked the man straight in the eyes, defiantly, and I thought, for just the fraction of'a second, that he quailed under the boyish honest stare. “Yes, sir,” continued Billy, as monsieur did not immediately reply, “there’s quite a gap between the emperor’s owning them and your having imagination, but to be quite frank, I can’t see the connection.” It was to me monsieur appealed. “Ah, madame, what more can I say? I am at your mercy—” and he held out his manacled hands. I hardened under Billy’s look at me and replied coolly: *T think you’d better tell us how you came by the diamonds. I can’t see the precise connec-tion-between the Emperor William and yourself.” Monsieur appeared to choke back a number of emotions and then declaimed, “Madame must pardon me, but zoze—are secrets —of state!” He did it really magnificently—altogether the great man, the confidant of kings, and that —on top of the rest —convinced me of Ns sincerity. Before I could reply, Billy pulled my sleeve and demanded: “Where’s an ash tray?—Pm getting this stuff all oyer your best rug. Get me a plate or something out of the kitchen,” and with his eyes he said: “Leave this man to me for a minute, will youF I stepped into the kitchen and heard Billy say to monsieur in a low voice:

a oot a uou i neen to point out to you the position you’re placing yobrself in by refusing an explanation as to how you came to have those diamonds in your possession. There’s only one thing left for me to think.” He paused and I thought, “Heavens! Is he going to accuse monsJeurF And he did. “YOU STOLE THEM.” I was rooted to the floor. The reply came like a shot—“ Monsieur!” and De Ravenol leaped to his feet. The two men had given and taken a mortal blow —for monsieur, in Ns single word, had returned as good as he got and they now measured each other. Billy broke the silence and recalled me with: “Say—where’s that ash trayF The scarlet that had leaped to monsieur’s cheeks faded as I entered the room. He stood. He towered. Yet he spoke with humility. "It is not as De Ravenol I explain how It Is I am seeking ze diamonds zat belong to ze Emperor William —it la as ze emperor’s messenger to ze court of Mexico. And yet—it is as plain De Ravenol—ze fazer of Claire whom you know —zat I implore you to keep my confidence zat I give you now at ze peril of my life.” He paused, and we both felt constrained to assure him we would keep his confidence, and he proceeded. “I have ondertook zls secret mission for which ze emperor have select me from all his friends —as he have select me, I may call myself his friend —and I have dedicate myself to it wis all my zeal. * “Since Napoleon I, Europe has seen no like der Kaiser Wilhelm —he Is warrior and conqueror in his heart, even as zey were —we have now ze concert of powers zat prevent to one man to own ze whole of Europe any more. “And ze emperor looks ahead for ze future es his people and he say: ‘How do zey be fed in hundred years? Ze fields of all ze fazerland —ze science of all ze fazerlands will not do it. But wis money, my people may buy zelr food as zey will—beef and wheat from ze whole world. Wis industry—manufactures—commerce—we have ze money. But zat our commerce does ug some valuable good, we must make mm. alliances for ids purpose. England have set her seal on India, her boot on Africa and her band on Canada ; but she have not touch ze Latin nations—she owns not Mexico—she controls not yet ze some-day Panama canal. Zere we have great strategic point for future development zat England have not got hold of.’ In Mexico,? sen, ze Emperor William sees some bright future for ze fazerland. “Now ze madame president of Mexico 5s young; she have great beapty and she rule her venerable husband wis zat beauty—as have women at aH thpe£ So once she have hear ze legend of ze seven blood-red diamonds. Above all ozzer sings In ze world she desire zoze diamonds and she have communicate her wish to der kaiser and he have seen in her wish some way to his- own tor se fazerland. | "To Ms end he have arrange treaty wis Mexico which make Mexico a rister state of ze great German alliance he have in mind. To zls end, also, ha have commissioned me—” The rest of what monsieur sqld just swooped xm a Mahtning

understanding—me whole neranous scheme of Germany and the emperor lay bare to my inner eye. Mexico—the Panama canal—these were the strategic points of a world conquest such as history had never witnoutod. Germany in possession of Mexico, with half a million troops massed on our border—why, she could flippantly tread on the lion’s tail any day and go to war and say to us: “Help England—and lose Arizona, New Mexico and California.” With half a million troops In Mexico, Germany could spank us into almost anything! And Mexico, with her almost untouched resources; with her hot-blood-ed troops under German discipline for twenty years—for ten —for five! But I could stop It! For the lever that was *to set the scheme in motion was thumb-tacked to the bottom of my sideboard drawer—the seven blood-r&d diamonds! Monsieur’s voice had reached a stop. My resolve was taken. “Never!” was the one Impassioned word I uttered. Billy echoed it —“Never!” His thoughts had flown with mine and had seen the Impending calamity which we two, out of the world, could now prevent. Then, drawing himself to his full height, he gave forth our ultimatum to the nation at large: “You just go back and tell your Emperor Wll11am that he can never have Mexico or the Panama canal.” / (TO BE CONTINUED)

WHEATFIELD.

George Jones, who is taking the census, says it is amusing to watch some of the old maids when they attempt to answer the question, “are you married or single.” Not yet, but this is leap year. Click Hamilton paid his dog tax. Fox and Wolf drive Saturday, January 81. Go,back line and come forward with the bunch. Everybody should attend the Fox and Wolf drive Saturday, Jan. 81 and help to round up the animals which have become a pest in the Kankakee Valley. Maurice Allen, of Kankakee visited here over Sunday with Grandma Allen. Joe Hickam was up town last Thursday for the first time in two weeks, after a spell of sickness. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hileman motored last week for a few days' visit with Chicago friends and a fight with the snow drifts en route. Mrs. B. H. Knapp and Miss Grace Knapp were Rensselaer visitors last Saturday. * Clarence Gulbransen will hold a public sale of live stock and farm tools February 17th. Bert and Frank Mitchell of Gary, were home visitors last Friday evening. ? Mrs. Art Dean and child returned to her home at Gary Saturday after a ten days’ visit here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Clark. Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Remley entertained twelve guesta at a afat o’eleok dinner last Thursday evening which was followed by a game of Five Hundred. Mors. A. L. Jensen and Maloclm Clark were the prize winners. Mir. and Mrs. A. L. Jensen entertained the Marbles, Clarks, Gooches and Mrs. Berenice Clark at dinner Sunday evening. Mrs. Jensen and her boys furnished some fine music, especially “Lukie” winch was oughly enjoyed by the guesta. Mrs. Ernest Goech spent Thursday and Friday of last week ,in Crow# Point.

Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Hamilton pf Valparaiso, visited Berenice Clark last ThutaW*“ Both seemed to be well pleased with their new loca* tion. Miss Allie Morehouse, Miss Lena Myers, Arizona Custary, John Mor»* ( house and Miss Jones were visitors wit hthe Bush family last Wednesday evening, Mrs. James Smith spent last SuDr. day at the home of her brother R. H. Morehouse and family. * Daniel Watson and Ed Bennett are busy hauling logs to the saw mill at Baum's bridge. The Tankage Co. are certainly getting their share of business these cold days. “ We learn that a party mailed au order recently for four different magazines, amounting to $9.50, the customer could have ordered these same magazines at this office and saved $1.75. Patronize your home dealer. Mrs. Pearl Austin of Rochester, Ind., is here tins week visiting st the home of her daughter, Mxs. Wm. Madary and family. Born, on Monday, January 2*. 1920, a girl to Ross Ropp andwrfe. Peter Saulter, formerly of Wheatfield township, died at the county hospital Sudnay afternon, January 25, 1920, of a complication of diseases. His age 60 years. Burial was made at Rensselaer. Dr. Hewitt, of DeMotte, was co»7 ed here Friday to assist Ito. Buchef in a minor surgical operation. W. H. Minor will hold a big public sale of live stock and farm tools this Thursday, Jan. 29th. Mr. Case, Wm. May and Frank Ferguson went to Chicago Friday evening and returned Monday. Mrs. Edward Hight and children returned Wednesday after a few days' visit with her sister at Star City. Ind. Read the special attraction of the Primo Theatre program for tins week. Everybody should attend the Fox and Wolf drive Saturday, Jan, Slat, and then go and hear the Wheatfield band play and see a Mg 8 reel show at the Primo Theatro in the evening. M». John Biggs and son, Boy, returned Monday from a visit with relatives at Lqke Village. 1 HicSm MW

IF WE KNEW THON

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WiWOUIMHtVWtbONEIWS

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Mrs. John Williams went to San Pierre Monday to visit her daughter. Mrs, Hines, who has been ill with the flu. "“Hannon Clark cited Billy Mac and Dick Dunn to where he had seen a mink go in a hole and Billy and Dick dug in the frozen ground for 8 hours and only found a weasei. -The U. S. Weather Bureau may discontinue the local ofoservors star tion at Wheatfield on account of changes Western Union Telegraph Co., in the opening time of its offices in tee morning. It seems that U. 8. Weather reports and observations are an advantage to the telegraph company, tee Government would be wise if they would establish telephone Hn—through the states to handle the government business. Speaking of being mated during this leap year, Ezra Whitehead, who attended tee Lumber Dealers’ convention last week, reminded us of “My son John 'with one shoe off and one shoe on.” Esta, by Guby, bought a pair of new shoes for tee trip, and in trying teem, got two pain mixed up and he started off with a No. 8 rubber heel and a number 10 leather and he went down the street in IndianapoMs, making about tha same khid of noise as a man wearing a Wooden leg, but when Ezra caaae Mfdc pair of eights and a pair of tens. Wm. Traub wept to Indiauapoliß after Miter new Ford touring ear, Saturday.

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