The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1894-08-03

49, and legs or
namented with tufts of curly black
hair, his body shaved in the improved
fashion, poodle slumbered peace
fully, 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 toward the fire. His COM
panion, Arthur Van Stade, had been
his greatest friend at college, and this
was their first meeting in three years.
Van Stade had been in India killing
big game, and had merely escaped
having the tables turned, as q large
scar across one cheek testified. Taller
had stayed at home, but to him had
come the greater change AS he ex-
pressed it, he was ga settled down old
married man with family"-which
meant that he had the sweetest little
wife in the world and a tiny mite of
pink-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; 81 don't suppose you will be-
lieve me when I tell you that when he
came 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, I went
over to the other side for the London
season. l went to London and in Lon
don l stayed long after the time 1 had
allotted to that city had expired. 1t
was there met Edith. In six weeks
we were engaged. The remainder of
the summer l passed in Scotland with
the family of my iancee. They had
planned to go to Nice when the cold
weather came on, and of course 1 de-
termined to go with them. We went
as far as Paris together, 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, promising 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 father arrived. He had heard of
my engagement and, to my satisfac-
ton, approved of it. Besides the
amount expected, he sent an addi-
tiOnal $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, was pleased and gratifed with
my fathers generous present.
'Ihe following morning started
out in search of something for my
dear girl, whom 1 should be with the
very next day. visited all the lead
ing jewelry stores on the Avenue de
POpera, and was SO confused by the
glittering array of gems spread out to
lure the American dollar from wealthy
travellers that that I could decide OH moth
ing. My $1,000, which had seemed so
much, now appeared ridiculously
small, and 1 had almost despaired of
finding anything worthy of my be.
loved when my eyes fell upon an ex-
tremely beautiful necklace, consisting
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 wanted.
81 asked the price.
"'Five thousand francs, Monsieur,
replied the salesman.
exactly the sum l had to spend
bought it without moments hesita-
ton. The little blue box was abou
to be wrapped up when the salesman
discovered some imperfection in tn,
clasp. He was profuse in his apologies
and said that it would be repaired an;
ready for me the following morning
I explained that this would not do, a.
/ was to leave the city on the might
express for Nice. After moment
hesitation the ieweler promised that
: should have it at o'clock, withou
fail.
''As 1 was leaving the store I no
, ticed woman standing by my side
/ say noticed woman, it would b
more correct to say that l noticed