Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-01-25
miscellaneous.
THE LOST NECKLACE,

II was returning from Paris, mere
| had been to purchase diamond neck
lace for Edith, my 6ancee. | had for
my companion in the compartment
very lovely young woman aud n 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.
81 sat for some time vainly trying to
recall the circumstances of our meeting,
but the more ! 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 time | 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 bis
health, had wired her to return at once.
"Shc 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-
cd and asked me if was to be long at
Nice She, chatted on about the place,
mentioning the names of many well
known people, who, she said, were her
friends and whom | should no doubt
meet.
GAS the evening wore on she opened
a basket containing dainty lunch.
Would share it with her ? The cook
evidently had ridiculous idea Of her
appetite Why, there was enough for
six ? This seemed to be case. So, as
We were by this time very well acguaint-
ed, I accepted her invitation, and we
were soon doing justice to a really ex-
cellent lunch
What charming creature she is =
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 true =
| exclaimed She will be very grateful
to you for having made this stupid jour
ncy pleasant for me
owe will drink her health = cried
my companion gayly, drawing a small
silver flask of exquisite workmanship
from the depths Of her basket. 1 al
ways carry little cognac with me in
case of sickness she explained. Open
ing the flask and filling dainty glass
with the amber liquid, she banded it to
me, with a radiant smile. TO Edith 5
health, she said.
81 drained the glass 1t was brandy
of the finest quality had ever tasted
She seemed 10 read my thoughts.
"'You are judge of good liquor
That is Otard Of 1870
"TakiDg 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 take. / wish
you all the happiness that life can give
but cannot drink as you men do. Tt
me it is simply medicine
Soon after this | began to grow
sleepy, and as my companion did no
seem inclined to talk made myself a
comfortable as circumstan ces would per
nit ] turned my head toward the win
dow, through which the surrounding
country could be seen dimly 10 the moon
light as we rushed along, and resigned
myself to q night Of comfort The mex