The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-01-26
THE LOST NECKLACE,

81 was returning from Paris, where
I had been to purchase a diamond neck
lace for Edith, my fiancee. I had for
my companion in the compartment a
very lovely young woman and a little
poodle dog that she addressed as Chico.
It seemed to me that somewhere. and
not very long ago, I had met my fair
companion before.
81 sat for some time vainly trying to
recall the circumstance Of our meeting,
but the more I pondered or it the more
helpless seemed the task.
"a little later On, looking up, found
that my companion was without book
or paper. So, taking an illustrated mag
azine from my satchel, l offered it to
her. She thanked me and smiled sweet
~. After a time I grew tired Of my
novel and resolved to attempt a little
conversation with my neighbor. l asked
her if she was going to Nice. She re-
piled that she was and went on to say
that her sister, whom she had expected
would go with her, had disappointed
her at the last moment. She, however,
could not wait until the following day,
as her father, who was at Nice for his
health, had wired her to return at nee.
'She spoke of her dislike for travel
ing; that, as the compartment reserved
for ladies was full, she had been obliged
to enter mine. She was sorry to intrude,
but the train was about to start, and the
guard had told her all the other seats
were taken.
81 fastened to assure her that I was
glad of the lucky chance that had given
me so charming a companion. She smil-
ed and asked me if I was to be long at
Nice. She chatted on about the place,
mentioning the names Of many we'll
known people, who, she said, were her
friends and whom I should no doubt
meet.
"As the evening wore on she opened
q basket containing a dainty lunch.
Would I share it with her?' The cook
evidently had a ridiculous idea of her
appetite. Why, there was enough for
sikh This seemed to be the case. So, as
we were by this time very we'll aoquaint-
ed, I accepted her invitation, and we
were soon doing justice to q really x
cellent lunch.
"'What a charming creature she isl
I thought. How Edith will like her!'
Growing confidential, l spoke of my
visit to Nice and of the dear girl who
was awaiting me there. She seemed in
terested and listened patiently to the
recital Of my fair ones many charms.
'You will meet her and can see fol-
yourself if all I say Of her is not true!
I exclaimed. She will be very grateful
to you for having made this stupi6
journey pleasant for me-
"'We will drink her healthl' criet
my companion gayly, drawing a small
silver flask of exquisite workmanship
from the depths Of her basket. 4 al
ways carry a little oognac with me IL
S of sickness, she explained. Open
ing the flask and filling a dainty glas
with the amber liquid, she handed it tt
me, with a radiant smile. To Edith
health, she said.
II drained the glass. 1t was brand,
Of the finest quality I had ever tasted
She seemed to read my thoughts.
"'You are a judge Of good liquor
That is Otard Of 1S7O.'
taking the glass from my hand, sh
poured a little of the liquor into it AM
barely touched it to her lips.
"'You must not judge my goo
wishes by the amount / take. l wis
you all the happiness that life can give
but I cannot drink as you men do. T
me it is simply a medicine
"Soon after this I began to gro1
sleepy, and as my companion did nc
seem inclined to talk I made myself a
permit. I turned my head toward tn
window, through which the surround
ing country could be seen dimly in tn
moonlight, as we rushed along, and II
signed myself to a night Of comfort
The next thing it was broad daylight
/ awoke with a dull pain in my hea
and a sense Of WEAKNESS that my slee
had rather increased than diminished.
my companion was sitting by til
window reading the book I had give
her the night before. On perceiving tn;
was awake she put down her boo
and remarked that I was a sound sleept
and that she envied me. She had passe
awretched night and was glad that VI
would soon be in Nice. ! thought
Edith, whom I should 0 see so 500
and then Of the surprise I had in stol
for her.
81 hoped that the necklace woul
please her, and then, for the first tim
it occurred to me that perhaps it wou'