The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-05
THEFT OF A NECKLACE.

- 80 . AssS SAk sStA~ ~
On the divan, his tail and legs orna.
mented with curly black hair, hia body
shaved in tho improved fashion, poo.
die slumbored peacefully, and Floyd
Taller, the owner Of the promises, at
tired in smoking jacket Of a horsey
plaid, was lollins in an easy chair, his
alippered feet s,rotchod toward tho fire.
His companion, Arthur Van Stade, had
been his greatest friend at college, and
this was their first meeting in three
years.
"rhat's rather n Emo dog you have
there. Arthur" said Van Stade, turning
to the poodle and lazily looking over the
sleeping animal.
"Well, l should think 3d." replied
Taller. III don't Bu, pose you will be.
lieye mo when toll you that when he
came into my possession he was worth
no less than $1,000. Tho spring after
you went away" he went on, "having
finished my college course, went over
to the other aide for tho London season.
/ went 10 London, aud in London /
stayed long after the time l had allotted
to that city had expired. It was there
l met Edith. In six weeks we were en-.
gagged. They had planned to 60 to Nice
when the cold weather came on,
and, OF course, determined to 60 with
them. We went rs far aa Paris 10.
gether but at the last moment was de.
tanned in that city for few days, and
was obliged to allow the rest Of the
party to proceed without me.
II had run short OF funds. and tho
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 busi:
ness kept me in Paris. Four days after
their departure tho letter from my
father arrived. lie had heard OF my
engagement and. to my satisfaction, APP
proved it. Besides the amount e1-
pected he sent an additional 81, 900, with
which no instructed mo TO buy auit-
ab.o present for Edith.
1.-THE following morning started out
in search OF something for my dear
| girl. I visited all the leading jewelry
stores on the Avenue dc rOpera, and
was so confused by the glittering array
OF gems spread out to lure tho Ameri-
can dollar from wealthy travellers tina.
l could decide on nothing. My 81 900.
which had seemed so much, now made
me despair OF finding anything worthy
Of my beloved, when my eyes fell upon
an extremely beautiful necklace. con-
sisting OF two rows Of pearls caught TO-
gether at intervals by small diamond
clasps. It lay in velvet caae OF azure
blue. and the moment. I saw it l de.
cided that it was just what wanted. l
asked the price.
Five thousand francs. monsieur, re.
piled the salesman.
| Exactly the sum had to spend
bought it without. moments hesi,a.
ton. The little blue box was about to
be wrapped up when the salesman dis.
covered some imperfection in tho clasp.
lie was profuse in his apologies, aud
said that it would be repaired and
ready Tor me tho following morning. |
explained that this wonld. aot do, as
was to leave the city on tho night ex.
press for Nice. After moments hest.
tation tho joweller promised that l
should have it at 6 o'clock without fail.
"As was leaving the store noticed
a woman standing by my aide. l say |
noticed woman. 1t would be mofe
correct to say that noticed 4 beautiful
white hand with long taper fingers, on
| one OF which was diamond OF unusual
size and brilliancy. s..
Eat G o'clock | returned, and, true to
his promise the man had the necklace
rcady for mo. PlacnSsit in the,iuside
pocket of my coat lsit the store and
Just had time to complete few, remain
ing arrangements before going to the
station. l bought q first.class ticket and
tipped the guard, after giving him to
understand in my very best Of French
that l did not want him to put other
passengers into my compartment /
tucked my travelling rug around my
knees, opened French novel, wheu the
door was opened, and woman hurried
ly entered the compartment and took
tho eeat next the window on the other
side OF the car. glanced at my un.
welcome companion. She was dressed
in mourning OF the richest material and
in perfect taste. As 1 was noticing
these details something by her side that
had at frat taken for cape, moved.
1t proved to be black French poodle,
and as no sat up and turned his head
towards me saw that around his neck
he wore a broad, silver collar, from
which depended apeculiar heart.shaped
paddock.
Turning to my novel l soon forgot
tho intruders, nor did l again think OF
them until perhaps hall an hour later.
when was startled by feeling some.
thing cold and wet pressed against my
hand. 1t was tho poodlo's nose. lilo
had crawlod across the seat and was evil
dontly dosirous OF making my acquaint.
ance. -
"'Chicco. come horc,' exclaimed a
singularly familiar voice.
"Ihe dog paid no attention to his
mistress, but wagged his tail contented.
ly rs stroke his curly head.
".You must excuse my dog, cir said
my companion. 'He is a great pet aud
expects ovory ono to notice him. l am
afraid no will annoy you
81 protested that no would not, and
added, that | was fond OF dogs, poodlas
in particular. Perhaps my answer was
due. in part, to tho fact that tho woman
was young and very beautiful. l had
only that minute become aware OF this,
tho light having boon too dim in tho
stntlon to let mo see hor face. Ilor
voice, too, affected mo singularIy; 1t was
| low md sWeet, and Maa sllra that some.