The Dickinson press., 1894-06-23
THE NECKLACE.


vat In a smoking room of q cozy apart
nent. Outside the snow was falling
in great bluc-wlitc fakes.
On the divan, his tai! and legs n
with tufts Of curly black hair,
his body shaved in the improved fash
ion, a poodle s%luabcred peacefully,
and Floyd Taller, the owner of the
premises, attired in a smoking jacket
Of Il horsey plaid, was lolling in an easy
chair, his slippcrcd feet stretched to-
ward the fire. His companion. Arthur
Van Stadc, had been his greatest friend
Mt college, and this was their first meet
Ing in three years. Van Stade had been
in India killing big game, and had bare
~ escaped having the tables turned,
rs Il large scar across n cheek bone
testified. Taller had stayed at home,
but to him had come the greater
change. As he expressed 1t, he was
II settled down old married man with
II family"-whicll meant that he had
the sweetest little wife in the world
and 81 tiny mite Of pink-and-white hui
mainly, known in the house as Baby.
That's rather Il fine dog you have
there, Arthur" said Van Stade, turning
to the poodle and lazily looking over
the sleepy animal.
We'll, I should think so," replied
Taller; II don't suppose you will be-
licve me when l tell you that when he
cam into my possession he was worth
no less than $1,000. The spring after
you went away" he went on, 'having
finished my college course, ] went
over to the other side for the London
season. l went to London and in Lon
don l stayed ioug after the time 1
had allotted to that city had expired.
1t was there l met Edith. In six weeks
we We're engaged. The remainder Of
the summer l passed in Scotland with
the family of my fiancec. They had
planned to go to Nice when the cold
weather came on, and of course 1 de-
tcrmincd to so with them. We went
as far as Paris together, but at the last
moment l was detained in that city
for a few days and was obliged to al
low the rest of the party to proceed
Il week at most.
mittance expected from my father had
Aot "lAANcu' AAlS l uHl nv SoaaSiuSA
necessary to explain to Edith and her
kept me in Paris. Four days after
their departure the letter from my
father arrived. He had heard of my
engagement and. to my satisfaction,
approved Of 1t. Besides the amount ex,
pected, he sent an additional $1,000,
with which he instructed me to buy
a suitable present for Edith. AS the
modest diamond l had bought for Our
engagement had been my only gift,
1 was pleased and gratified with my
fathers generous present.
1.-The. following morning 1 started out
in search Of something for my dear girl
whom l should be with the very Mex
day. 1 visited all the leading jewclry
stores on the Avenue de POpera, and
was so confused by the glittering array
Of gems spread out to lure the Ameri
can dollar from wealthy travellers thai
I could decide on nothing. My $1,000
which had seemed so much. now ap
peared ridiculOusly small, and I haG
almost despaired of finding anything
worthy Of my beloved, when my eyes
fell upon an extremely beautiful neck
lace, consisting Of two rows of pearl!
caught together at intervals by small
diamond clasps. 1t lay in a velve
case of azure hive and the moment
saw il ! decided that it was just wha'
[ wanted.
II asked the price.
Five thousand francs, Monsieur,
replied the salesman.
EXACTLY the sum 1 had to spend!
bought it without a moments hesita
ton. The little blue box was about t,
be wrapped up when the salesman dis
covered some imperfection in the clasp
IIe was p~rofuse in his apologies an,
said that it would be repaired an,
ready for me the following morning
[ explained that this would not do, a
I was to leave the city ON the night ex
press for Nice. After a moments hesl
tation the jcweler promised that
should have it ut 6 o'clock without f;li
LAS l vas leaving the store I motto
ed a woman standing by my side.
say l noticed a womah;; 1t would b
more correct to say that l noticed
beautiful white hand with long taper
ing fingers, on one of which was Il Iii;
mond of unusual size and brilliancy
I In this hand was Il small jewele
. watch, and as l was leaving the coul
/ ter l caught a few words spoken in
peculiarly musical voice. l was to
full Of the thought of Edith's happincs
on receiving my gift even to glance
y the woman's face, and long before
had reached the sidewalk she was 70
q gotten.
!. "At 6 o'clock 1 returned, and, true
his promise the man had the neckla,
ready for me. Placing it in thcinsii
pocket of my coat, 1 left the store m
I,~l S,,cA %i,,,0 ~ 10r,yl,<~ a, A,,v =,
manning arrangements before going
the station. | bought a tirst.class tic
Il ct and tipped the guard, after givil
French that l did not want him to p
other passengers in my compartmel
=, tucked my travelling rug around II
- knees, opened 4 French novel, VIII
!. the door was opened and a woman Ii,
riedly entered the compartment a
took the seat next to the window
the other side Of the car. I glanced
-, my unwelcOme companion. she "
. dressed in mourning of the richest II
.,s' terial and in perfect taste. AS l W
nc noticing these details something by i
side that l had at first taken for a +
cape moved. 1t proved to he q bla
French poodle. and as he sat up a
u; turned his head toward me l saw Il
III around his neck he wore a broad sill,
collar from which depended Il pecul
hcart-shaped paddock.
Turning to my novel, l soon fOrs
the intruders. nor did 1 again think
NJ them until perhaps half an hour lat
IN when l was startled by feeling sor
thing cold and wet pressed against
hand. 1t was the %poodle's nose.
l. had crawlcd across the seat and v
evidently DESTROYS of making my
VT luaintancc.
~ Chico. come herc,' exclaimed
singular familiar voice.
'n ''The dog paid no attention to
mistress. but wagged his tail conte
eddy as l stroked his curly head.
"'You must excuse my dog. SIR 8
le. my companion. 'Hc is a great pet
expects every one to notice him. ]
De- afraid lie will annoy YOU
er Il protested that he would not,
ut added that l was fond Of dogs. pood
in particular. Perhaps my nswer '
due, in part, to the fact that the
maj was young and very beautf
1 had only that minute become aM
~ H.