The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-09-06
A DOG COLLAR.
1t Was One of the Implements of
Woman Thief.

One Sunday morning two young men
sat in the smoking of a coy
apartment. Outside the snow was fall
ing silently in great, bluewhite flakes
On the divan, his tail and legs orna-
mented with tufts of curly black hair
his body shaved in the improved
fashion, poodle slumbered peaceful
ly, and Floyd Taller, the owner of the
premises, attired in a smoking Jacket
of horsey plaid, was lolling in an easy
chair, his slippered feet stretched to-
ward the fire. His companion, Arthur
Van Stade, had been his greatest
friend at college, and this was their
first meeting in three years. Van
Stade hal been in India killing big
game, and has barely escaped having
the tables turned, as large scar
across one cheek testified. Taller had
stayed at home, but to him had come
the greater change. AS he expressed
1t, he was "a settled down, old married
man with family which meant that
he had the sweetest little wife in the
world and tiny mite of pinll-and-
white humanity known in the house
as Baby
That's rather fine dog you have
there. Arthur" said Van Stade, turn
ing to the poodle and lazily looking
over the sleepy animal.
well, | should think So" replied
Taller II don't suppose you will be-
lieve me when | tell you that when he
came into my possession he was worth
loss than tba,,Sop1 llI
The spring after you went away" he
went on, having finished my college
course. | went over to the other side
for the London season. ! went to
London, and in London | STAYED long
over the time | had allotted to that
city had expired. 1t was there | met
Edith. In six weeks we were en-
gagged. The remainder of the summer
/ passed in Scotland with the family of
my fiancee. They had planned so go to
Nice when the cold weather came on.
and, of course, | determined to go with
them. We went as far as Paris to-
gether, but at the last moment | was
detained in that city for few days
and was obliged to allow the rest of
the party to proceed without me. prom
Using to join them in week at most.
81 had run short of funds. and the
remittance expected from my father
had not arrived. This did not con-
slider necessary to explain TO Edith
and her family. l said vaguely that
business kept me in Paris. Four DAYS
after their departure the letter from
my fater arrived. He had heard of my
engagement, and, to my satisfaction.
approved of it. Besides the amount
expected he sent an additional one
thousand dollars. with which he in
structed me to buy a suitab BILE present
for Edith. AS the modest diamond |
had bought for our engagement haC
been my only gift, was pleased and
gratitied with my fathers generous
present.
The following morning l started
out in search of something for my
dear girl, whom l should be with the
very next day, | visited all the lead
ing jewelry stores ON the Avenue de
lOpera, and was so confused by the
glittering array of gems spread out to
lure the American dollar from wealthy
travellers that l could decide on moth
ing. My one thousand dollars, which
had seemed so much, now made me
despair of finding anything worthy of
my beloved when my eyes fell upon
an extremely beautiful necklace, con-
sisting of two rows of pearls caught
together at intervals by small diamond
clasps. 1t lay in velvet case of azure
blue and the moment | saw it decided
that it was just what l wanted.
asked the price.
Five thousand francs, monsieur
replied the salesman.
Exactly the sum had to spend.
bought it without moments hesita-