The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-31
THE DIAMOND NECKLACE,

She was one of those beautiful girls
born as if by mistake of destiny, into
family of laborers. She had no dowry
no prospects, no way of becomin,
known, loved, and married by ricl
and distinguished man; and she CAV
her hand to petty clerk of the Bureau
of Public Instruction.
She was as wretched as disinheritet
princess. A woman's beauty anC
grace take the place of birth and fam.
lily. Her native refinement, her in
stinct for elegance, her facile wit, are
the seal of royalty, and make daugh.
ter of the people equal with the great
est lady.
She suffered constantly from the
wretchedness of her abode, the bare
ness of It's walls. the age and ugliness
of its furnishings. She dreamed of ST.
lent ante chambers, hung with Orien-
tai stutfs and lighted with lofty bronze
lamps; of great drawing -rooms draped
with ancient silks, and of coquettish,
perfumed little parlors. for long and
Intimate talks with close friends.
When she sat before the round table,
covered with thrice-used cloth, oppo-
site her husband, who uncovered the
soup-tureen with the delighted excla-
nation, "Ab, good soup! there is moth
ing better!' she thought of delicate
dinners, of cleaning plate, of tapes
tries to people the walls with ancient
personages and strange birds in the
depth of enchanted forests; she
thought of whispered gallentries re-
ceived with mysterious smile, while
the fair listener partook of the rosy
flesh of a trout or q wood-hen's wing.
She had no dresses, no jewels, moth
ing; and that was all she cared for
all she was made for. She had no ir-
resistable longing to charm, to be en-
We'd, and admired, and courted. She
spent days In weeping with regret and
despair.
One evening her husband came
home with a proud look bearing an in
vitation to ball at the residence of
the Minister of Public Instruction.
Instead of being delighted, as he
had hoped, she threw the invitation
spitefully to the floor, murmuring:
'.What do you expect me to do with
tP"
"Why, my dear, I thought YOU
would be pleased. You never 90 out,
ind this will be fine opportunity. 1
,ave been at infinite pains to get it."
She looked at him with irritation,
md demanded lmpatiently:
What do you expect me to put on
nv backP"
He had not thought of that. He
"Why, the dress you wore to
he theater. 1t looks very well to
ne-"
He stopped, stupefied, overwhelmed,
t seeing his wife in tears. Two
,reat drops rolled slowly from the
orners of her eyes to the corners of
er mouth.
"What is the matter, dear p" he
cyan.
But by a desperate effort she ,
vercame her distress and an
wered calmly, as she wiped her wet !
heeks:
Nothing. Only, / have no dress,
nd, consequently, l cannot go to !!
le ball. Give the card to some
lend whose wife is better fitted out 9
ian II
He was in despair. He tried once t
ore: D
"Let us see, Mathilde. How much a
ould suitable dress cost; something II
mple, which would be useful to you u
/ other occasionsP"
She reflected few seconds, count II
e up the sum, taking also into the "
lestion the amount which she could
k for without calling forth an i'm 81
ediate refusal from her economical
lsband.
AT last she replied, hesitatingly: "
81 cannot tell exactly, but it seems t.
me that could get along with 400 &c
ancs." fl
He turned quite pale, for he had Vi
we'd just that sum, intending to buy a.
IN and join some hunting parties the CO
lowing summer. He replied, how s.
er: RI
Every well, l will give you 400 OF
ines. But you must get handsome sc
ess. tn
al
The day of the ball drew near and m
lthilde seemed sad and anxious. She pi
d not been like herself for br
zee days. To her husbands in tn
ry as to what troubled her she dc
lied: by
i have no jewels, not a single stone
wear. l shall make a very mean APP I'M
rance. had almost rather not 90 di'
ALL"
ut he exclaimed: en-
How foolish you arel Go to your WI
nd, Nine. Forester, and ask her
lend you some jewels. You col
quite intimate enough with her to wo
hat" hal
he next day accordingly, she told Sh,
perplexity to Ter friend. foo
me. Forester brought a large case Blu
n her cabinet, and told Mathlde to out
} her choice. DIRE