Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-08-12
TIE ECkLACE.

ally born into . i4mily Of clerks. She had
neither expectations, means nor dcwTy.
Sac married little ERIK at the Ministry
Of Pubic instruction. She dressed plain
ly and she was very miserable, as If she
had fallen from ner proper station.
She had no gowns, 10 jewels, nothing
of the kind, ard she loved only mlgnlf-
cenCp
One evening her husband returned home
with triumphant air and holding large
envelope In his HAND. ''Tnerp, said he,
rs something for you.
She tore the letter sharply and drew out
printed card which bore these words:
''lhe minister of public instruction and
Nine. 6 orge3 R:mponneau request the
honor Of NJ. and Nine. Loisei's company at
the pa4lor3 Of the ministry on Monday
evening, Jan. IS.
Instead Of being delighted as her
husband expected, she threw the invita-
ton on the table with disgust, murmur-
ing, what shall do with that?"
'But, my dear, thought you would be
glad, had lot of trouble getting it. >
Size locke d at him with flashing eye.
what shall wear!'
GLOW much would suitable dress
cost =
She ref cted several seconda, figuring
out the amount; and wondering also what
sum she could ask without drawing on
herself an immediate refusal.
Finally she said, doub1fuiiy:
II think | could manage with 400
francs"
He grew little pale, because that wa,
Just the amount that lie bad lald aside TO
treat himself to little vacation.
However, he said: ''All right, | will
give you the 400 fraLcs.
Her husband asked her one evening,
What is The matter7 Why have you
been so queer these last three days?"
She answered: at annoys me not to
have a single jewel, not single stone,
nothing TO pat o."
But her hu band exclaimed: "How
stupid YOU are Go look up your friend,
Nine Forester, and ask her to lend you
some jewels.
She uttered a cry of JOY. at is true, l
never thought or it. =
The next day she went to her friend
and told of her distress.
Nine. Forester got large jewel bo1
ana said to Nine. Loisel, Choose, my
dear
She saw FIST Of all some bracelets, and
then pearl necklace, then Venetian
cross of geld and precious stones of the
finest workmanship.
All of u sddden she discovered, in a
black satin box, Il superb diamond neck
lace, and her b art beat with extreme de-
sire. Her hands trembled rs she took it.
She fastened 1t around her throat, outside
Der high ut cked dress, and remained lost
In ecstasy at the sight of herself.
Then she asked, Lesltating, filled with
anguish;
"Can you lend me that only that?"
why, yes; certainly.
She sprang upon the neck or her friend,
kissed her pas. lonately, then fed with her
treasure
Tue day Of he ball cane Nine. Loisel
made great success Sac was prettier
than them a.l-aleSant, gracious, smiling
and Wild with joy
All the men looked at her, asked Ter
name and tried TO be presented to her
SIC went away abour IN the morning.
Her husband threw over her shoulders the
cIoIk he had bought, modest cloak OF
common life whose poverty contrasted with
the elegance Of the ball Gress.
Size fell tbs anu wan ed to escape, SO
that she might net be remarked b. the
other woman. who were e.vslopiu.: them
selves in costly furs.
Loi.el held her back.
WAT blr You will! catch cold out
side wilt call cab. "
Al home she removed the wrap which
covered her shoulders before the glass, so
as once more tc see her elf in all her glory
Bat s ddenly she tered a cry. She had
no longer tie necklace around her neck!
They locked IN the fields of her di ess, in
her pockets every here. Tney di6 not
ind it.
Il shall 60 back on foot, said he. over
the whole route which we have taken, to
see if can fad it. +"
He came back at o'clock. He had
found nothing.
You must write TO your friend" said
he, that you have broken the ella. . Of her
necklace and that you ara having it mend
ed. That will give us time to act.
At the end of week they had lost all
hope.
The next day tiey took the jewel box
to the Jeweiler whose name was inside.
He consulted his books. 1t was not !,
madamS, WHO sold that necklace; | must
simply have furnished the box. They
found IN shop IN the Pa!aiS Royal
string of diamonds which seemed to them
exactly like the one they had looked fer
1t was worth 10000 francs. They could
have it fer Sc 900.
LoiseI had $4,000 francs which his
father had left him. He would borrow
the rest
He gave notes, tool up ruinous obiiga-
tions, dealt with usurers and all the
races Of lenders. He compromised all the
rest of his life, risked his signature with
out even knowing if he could meet it; he
went to set the new necklace, putting
down upon the merchants counter So coo
francs.
Nine. Loisel now know that horrible
existence of the needy. She took her part
with heooism. The debt must be paid.
She came to know what heavy homework
meant and the odious cares Of the kitchen
She dressed like woman of the people.
Each month they had to meet some
notes, renew others, get more time.
And this life lasted ten years.
At the end of ten years they had paid
everything.
Nine. Loisel looked old now. She had
become the wen amor impoverished house