STORY OF A ROPE OF PEARLS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1110, 26 May 1883, Page 3

STORY OF A ROPE OF PEARLS.

The Countess of L.. a great lady moving in the Court circles of Vienna, is passionately fond of peavls. In fact, she is the female counterpart of Lord Topaz in ‘ Lothair.” A few days ago the Countess received a visit from her jeweller, who displayed a string of pearls of such fault. Jess beauty that Lothair himself would have been proud to present them to the Lady Corisande. No sooner had she caught sight of the pearls than sha overwhelmed the jeweller with a heap of questions. “When—-when—how—did you come by these pearls, Mr 1. The astonished jeweller said they were intrusted to him by a lady to sell on commission.” A t the request of (he countess, a footman was at once dispatched to bring the lady. After a brief delay, the lady arrived ; young, handsome, and elegantly dressc 1, She listened with a subdued smile to the serirs of questions addressed to her. Nettled, but still retaining the command of her temper, the countess wound up by touching a secret spring intho fastening of the necklace. “ There,” she exclaimed, pointing to her arms and motto engrav-id on the side of the fastening,* 1 however you came into the possession of these pearls, you will hardly venture to disputa-that thdy belong to me. Four years ago they suddenly disappeared from my jewel case, and now, after all enquiry had proved fruitless, they are found with you. I am under great obligations to the lady who has restored to me that which is ray own.” In answer to this tirade the lady uttered not a word, but opening a small reticule which she carried in her hand, produced a highly-scented billet-doux, and handed It to the countess who started and swooned immediately. On recovering consciousness she went straight to . her writing table, wrote a cheque sor the amount demanded by the lady j and gave it to her without uttering a single word, The billet-doux was the hand-writing of the countess’s oniy son.