The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-14
THE NECKLACE.

little clerk at the ministry of public in.
struction. She dressed plainly and shs was
very miserable, as II shs had fallen from her
proper station.
She had no gowns, no jewels, nothing of
the kind, and she loved only magnifcsnce
One evening her husband returned home
with triumphant air and holding large
envelope in his hand. There" said he, iii
something for you"
She tore the letter sharply and drew out
a printed card which bore these words;
The minister Of public instruction and
Nine. Georges Ramponneau request the
honor Of NJ. and Mime. Loisels company at
the parlors of the ministry on Monday
evening, Jan. 49,
Instead Of being delighted as her husband
expected, she threw the invitation on the
table with disgust, murmuring, "What shall
do with that
But, my dear, thought you would be
glad. had lot of trouble getting IL. "
She looked at him with flashing eye
What shall wsarW
How much would suitable dress cost ~
She reflected several seconds, figuring out
| the amount aud wondering also what sum
she could ask without drawing on herself
an immediate refusal.
Finally she said, doubtfully: 81 think
could manage with 400 francs"
He grew a little pale, because that was
just the amount that he had laid aside to
treat himself TO little vacation.
However, he said: GAN right; l will give
you the 400 francs"
Her husband asked her one evening:
"What is the matter1 Why have you been
| 30 queer these last three daysp
She answered: sit annoys me not to have
a single jewel, not a single stone, nothing TO
put on"
But her husband exclaimed: "How stupid
you are. Go look up your friend, Mime.
| Forester and ask her to lend you come
| jewels"
She uttered cry OF JOY. SITS true, I
| never thought Of it."
The next day she went to her friend and
told of her distress.
Nine. Forester got large jewel box and
said to Nine. Loisel. Choose, my dear"
She saw first Of all some bracelets, and
then pearl necklace, then a Venetian cross
| of gold and precious stones OF fine work
manship.
All of a sudden she discovered, In a black
satin box, a superb diamond necklace, and
her heart beat with extreme desire. Her
hands trembled as she took it, She fastened
1t around her throat. outside her high
necked dress, and remained lost in ecstasy
at the sight Of herself.
guish;
"Can you lend me that-only thatg"
why, yes; certainly"
She sprang upon the neck of her friend,
kissed her passionstely, then fed with her
treasure.
The day Of the ball came. Nine Loisel
made great success. She was prettier than
them all-elegant, gracious, smiling aud
with with joy.
All the men looked at her, asked her
neame and tried to be presented to hsr.
She went away about In the morning.
Her husband threw over her shoulders the
cloak he had brought, a modest cloak OF
common life whose poverty contrasted with
the elegance of the ball dress.
She felt this and wanted to escape, &c
that she might not be remarked by the
other women, who we're enveloping them
selves in costly furs.
Loisel held her back.
"Wait a bit. You will catch cold out
side. will go and call cab"
At home she removed the wrap which
covered her shoulders before the glass, SC
as once more TO see herself In all her glory
But suddenly she uttered q ory. She had
no longer the necklace around her neck
They looked in the folds of her dress, Ia
her pocket. every where. They did moi
find It.
II shall go back on foot" said he, "over
the whole route which we have taken, &c
see IL can't find it."
found nothing.
"You must write to your friend )" said he
shat you have broken the clasp Of her
necklace and that you are having it mended
That will give US time to act.
At the end OF week they had lost al
hope.
The next day they took the jewel box &c
1 h. k-aA I
consulted his books: SIT was NOS I, madame
} who sold that necklace; must simply bavC
furnished the box" They found In a snor
in the Palais Royal string OF diamond,
which seemed to them exactly like the ont
they had looked for. 1t was worth &C, 00t
francs. They could have it for SO, 900
Loisel had Is, 900 francs which his father
had left him. He would borrow the rsst.
He gave notes, took up ruinous obliRa.
ttous, dealt with usurers and all the rest OF
lenders. He compromised all the rest o!
J his life, rlsked his signature without ever
knowing il he could meet it, he went to gel
the new necklace, putting down upon the
merchants counter SO, 000 francs.
Nine. Loisel now knew the horrible exist
ence of the needy. She took her part with
heroism. The debt must be paid She
came to know what heavy houseworh
meant and the odous cares of the kitchen
She dressed like woman Of the people.
Each month they had to meet some notes
renew others, get more time.
Aud this life lasted ten years.
At the end Of ten years they had paid
everything.
J Mime LoIssl looked old now. She had be-
oome the woman of impoverished house,
nolds-strong and hard aud rough. With
frowsy hair and skirts askew, and rec
hands, she talked loud while washing tn,
floor with great splashes of water.
One Sunday having gone to take walk II
the Champs Elysees to refresh herself from
the labors Of the week, Mime. Loisel sud
denly perceived a woman who was leading
child. 1t was NINE. Forester, still young
still beautiful, still charming.
She went up. ''Good-day, Jeanne"
The other, surprised, did not recognize
her, and stammered: 'But-madam1 I d.
not know-you must be mistaken"
mo, / am Mathilde Loisel."
Her friend uttered a cry, 10 my poor
Mathilde, how you have changed
Eyes, have lad days hard enough since
I have seen you, days wretohed enough, and
that because OF you"
"Of mel How SOC,
"Do you remember the diamond necklace
which you lent me to wear at the minister.
ballF
"Yes. Wellw
well, lost it."
What do you meant You brought II
| backn