Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-14
AsHORT STORY WORTH ReADINa.
The Necklace Of "a Night that Cost q Hus-
band Forty Thousand Francs.

!
French Of Guy de Maupassant.l
She was one of those attractive girls who,
az il by some mistake, are occasionally
| born into q family Of clerks. She had
neither expectations, means, nor dOwry.
| She married little clerk az the Ministry
| Of Public Instruction. She dressed plainly
and she was very miserable, as # she had
fallen from Der proper station.
! She had no gowns, no jewels, nothing OF
| the kind. and she loved only magnihcence.
One evening her husband returned home
with triumphant air ana holding large
| envelope in his hand. There" said he,
=" IS something for you"
She tore the letter sharply and drew
out printed card which bore these words !:
The Minister Of Public Instruction and
Nine. Georges Ramponneau request the
honor of VI. and Mime. LOlseFs company
at the parlors of the Ministry on Monday
evening, January 18th"
Instead Of being delighted. as her hus-
band expected. she threw the invitation
on the table with disgust, murmurinP
What shall do with that?n
But. my dear. l thought you would be
glad. | had lot of trouble getting It,"
She looked at him with flashing eye.
What shall wear?"
How much would a suitable dress
cost?"
She reflected several seconds. figuring
out the amount, and wondering also what
sum she could ask without drawing on
herself an immediate refusal.
Finally che said dCubtluliy;
Think | could manage With 410 francs"
He grew little pale, because That was
just the amount tnat he had LAID aside 10
treat himself TO little vacation.
However, no sald; All right, / will
give you the 400 francs"
Her husband asked her one evening /:
what 10 the matter! Why have you
been so queer these last three days?"
She answered: 1t annoys me not 70
have q single jewel, not single stone.
nothing TO put on"
stupid you are Go look up your friend,
Nine Forester, and ask her 10 lend you
some jewels"
she uttered a cry of joy. ITS true, I
never thought of IT,"
The next day she went TO her friend and
told of her distress.
Nine. Forester got large iewel-box
and said to Nine. Loisel: " Choose, my
DEAR"
She saw first of all some bracelets, aud
then a pearl necklace, then Venetian
cross OF gold and precious stones OF Inc
workmanship.
nj VI nudticu sue IlotJftltu III ~ Oiet
satin box superb diamond necklace. and
her heart beat with extreme desire. Her
hands trembled as she took IT. She fasten-
ed 1t around her throat. outside her high
nscsed dress, and remained lost in ecstasy
at the sight OF herself.
Then she asked, hesitating, filed with
anguish
" Can you lend me that--only that?"
Whf, yes; certainly
bio sprang upon the neck of her friend,
kissed her passionateiy, then he'd with her
treasure.
The day Of the ball came. Nine. Loisel
made great success. She was prettier
than them a!i--eleeant, gracious. smiling,
and wild with Joy.
All the men looked at her. asked her
name. aud tried to be presented 10 her.
ohe went away about IA tho morning.
Her husband threw over her shoulders the
cloak ne had brouaht-a modest cloak OF
common life whose poverty contrasted
with the elegance of the bell-dress.
shs felt this and wanted to escape. so