The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-05
THE LOST NECKLACE.


very lovely young woman and little
poodle dog that she addressed as Chico.
1t seemed to me that somewhere, and
not very long ago, had met my fair
companion before.
II sat for some time vainly trying to
recall the circumstances Of our meeting,
but the more I pondered on 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, offered it to
her. She thanked me and smiled sweet
ly. After a time I grew tired Of my
novel and resolved to attempt little
conversation with my neighbor. 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 once.
"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.
II FASTENED to assure her that was
glad of the lucky chance that had given
me so charming companion. She smil-
ed and asked me if / 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.
Gas the evening wore on she opened
a basket containing q dainty lunch.
Would I share it with her?' The cook
evidently had 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 well aoquaint-
ed, accepted her invitation and we
were coon doing justice to a really ex
cellent lunch.
"'What a charming creature she isp
I thought. How Edith will like her'
Growing CONFIDENTIAL 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 for
yourself if all say of her is not trueP
exclaimed. She will be very grateful
to you for having made this stupid
Journey pleasant for me-
1--WE will drink her health! cried
my companion gayly, drawing small
silver flask of exquisite workmanship
from the depths of her basket I al
ways carry little cognao with me in
case Of sickness, she explained. Open
ing the flask and filling dainty glass
with the amber liquid, she handed it to
me, with radiant smile. TO Edith's
health, she said
II drained the glass 1t was brandy
Of the finest quality had ever tasted.
She seemed to read my thoughts.
"'You are judge Of good liquor.
That is Otard of 1870
Taking the glass from my hand, she
poured little Of the liquor into it and
barely touched it to her lips.
"'You must not judge my good
wishes by the amount I take. I wish
you all the happiness that life can give,
but cannot drink as you men do. To
me it is simply a medicine
"Soon after this I began to grow
sleepy, and as my companion did not
seem inclined to talk made myself as
comfortable as circumstances would
permit. I turned my head toward the
window, through which the surround
ing country could be seen dimly in the
moonlight, as we rushed along, and re-
signed myself to a night of comfort.
The next thing it was broad daylight.
I awoke with dull pain in my head
and sense Of WEAKNESS that my sleep
had rather increased than diminished.
my companion was sitting by the
window reading the book I had given
her the night before. On perceiving that
/ was awake she put down her book
and remarked that was a sound sleeper
and that she envied me. She had passed
wretched night and was glad that we
would soon be in Nice I thought of
Edith, whom I should now see so soon,
and then Of the surprise | had in store
for her.
81 hoped that the necklace would
please her, and then, for the first time,
it occurred to me that perhaps it would
have been better if had consulted some
woman of taste before buying it. A
brilliant idea struck me-pny compan-
ion was just the one to decide. would
ask her opinion. 1t was not too late to
change the necklace for something else
if she thought it not suitable. was
sure she would tell me candidly just
what she thought.
"Unbuttoning my coat, drew the
package from my pocket and laid it Oh
my lap. Removing the wrappings, I
opened the little blue casket. For mo-
ment I could not believe my eyes-it
was emptyl
II turned quickly to my companion.
She was leaning forward motionless.
breathless, her face pale and in her eyes
look that I shall never forget. One
hand was passed convulsively over her
heart She had removed her gloves,
worn the night before, and on one finger
blazed a diamond-the one had seen
tho previous day at the jewelers.. In
an instant ! saw 1t all. sprang for
ward and grasped her wrist-roughly,
am afraid.