The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-05
that she was, aud wont on to say that
hor sistor, whom ,sho had expected
would go Will, hor, had disappointed
hnr al thn laaI T". 10


"Sho spoke OF her dislike for travel
ling alone, particularly at night, mud OK.
planned that rs tho compartment 70.
served for ladics was full sho had boon
obliged to onter mine. Sho was sorry
TO intrude, but tho train was about to
start and the guard told hor all tho
other seats woro taken. hastoncd to
assure her that | was glad OF tho lucky
GLANCE That Ind giyon inc 30 charming
q companion. Sno smiled and asked
mo II l was 10 DO long at Nice. Sho
chattod on about tho place, mentioning
tho nance OF many vol known people
who, sho said, woro her friends, and
whom l ahould, no doubt, meet.
"As tho evening wore on she opened
a basket containing n dainty lunch.
Would l share 1t with her?' The cook
evidently had ridiculous ideaof hor ap.
petite. why, there was enough for
ok j This seemed to DO tho case, go,
"a we were, by this time, very we'll nc.
quaintod, / accepted hor invitation, aud
we were soon doing Justice to q really
excellent lunch. :
"What charming creature she IT,
! thought How Edith will like hor.
Growing confidential, / spoke OF my
visit TO Nice and OF tho deaf girl who
was awaiting mo there. She seemed in.
teroaeed, and listened patiently to tho
recital Of my fair ones many charm.
You will meet hor and can SEQ for
yoursolf II all say Ia not true l ex.
claimad. She will DO very grateful TO
you for having made this stupid journey
40 pleasant for me-
i "Wo will drink her health cried my
companion gayly, drawing ANAL silver
flask OF exquisite workmanship from
tho depths OF her basket L always
carry little cognac with me In case OF
sickness, she explained. Opening tho
flask and filling a dainty glass with tho
amber liquid, she handed 1t to me with
4 radiant emile. TO Edith's health.
she said.
~ drained the glass. It was brandy
Of tho 6nes. quality had ever tasted.
She seemed to road my thoughts.
"'fou are judge OF good liquor.
That Ia Otard OF 1870
Taking the glass from my hand, she
poured little OF the liquor into it and
barely touched IL with her lips.
you must judge my good wishes by
tho amount take. l wish you all the
happiness that lite can give, but l can
not drink as you men do; to me 1t is
aimply a medicine"
Soon after that began to grow
sleepy. and as my companion die not
seem inclined to talk, made myself as
comfortable as circumstances would per.
init. turned my head toward the win.
dow. through which tho surrounding
country could DO seen dimly in the
moonlight as We rushed along, put a
roll OF rug under my head and resigned
myselt to night OF discomfort The
next thing 1t was broad daylight. l
awoSe with dull pain in my head, and
a aence OF WEAKNESS that my sleep had
rather increased than diminished.
My companion was sitting BY the
window reading the book ! had given
her the night before. On perceiving
that l was awake slle put down her
book and remarked tina. was evidently
q sound sleeper and that she envied me-
She had passed wretcled night, aud
was glad that We should soon be in
Nice, l thought OF Edith. whom l
should now sec so soon. and then OF the
surprise / had in store for her.
| 81 hoped that tho necklace would
please her. and then for the frat time it
occurred to me that perhaps it would
have beeu better il had consulted
some woman OF taste before buying it.
A brilliant idea struck me-my COM
panion was JUS. the one to decide. l
would ask her opinion. 1t was not too
lato to change the necklace for some
thing else il she thought it not suitable
i was sure she would tell me candidly
Just what she thought.
"Unouttoning my coat, I drew the
package from my pocket, and leid it on
my lap. Removing the wrappinga, I
opened tho little blue case. For mo-
ment could not believe my eyes-it
was empty.
II turned quickly to my companion.
She was leaning forward motionless,
,breathlesa. her face pale, aud in her
eyes look that shall never forget.
S"'Give me. back the necklace, you
thief cried. Il knew you. You stood
by my side yesterday in the jewelers.
shop OIL tho Avenue de rOpera. re-
member the ring and your voice. You
heard me say that ] was going to Nice
by this train. The liquor you gave me
was drugged and you thought to escape
before your theft was discovered. 1t
was u very clever scheme, but it failed.
Give me the necklace or shall turn you
over 10 the police
~ stretched out my hand. thinking
that seeing the folly OF further conceal
ment, and the uselessness OF denial, she
would return the stolen property. I
was wrong. She drew herself up
haughtily and looked me fully in tho
face.
lyon have brought serious charge
against me, she said. and one OF which
am innocent. am alone. and wo-
mau'-there was q momontary tremor
in her voice that somehow made me
ashamed OF the way l had spoken to
her. III, as You say, you have lost a
necklace, your only resort for accusing
mo OF having atolen it is that We have
been the only occupants OF the com.
partment. The instant you opened tho
box and found it empty saw tho awful
position that was placed in. Forum
ately, can prove my innocence
Perhaps you may hesitate before
again attempting to blackmail m I'M
protected woman. As soon rs wo ar
rive at Nice shall insist a: once on go.
ing to the police station, whore thor
ough. search Of my baggage and person
shall be made. shall then ask you to
provo that you ever had 4 necklace
This remark was accompanied by a
smile that was not pleasant to me. I'm.
I'll we reach Nice you shall not address
mo again.
"Sho leaned back in her seat and