The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-01-18
THE LOST NECKLACE.

81 was returning from Paris, where
I had been to purchase diamond neck
lace for Edith, my fiancee. I had for
my companion in the compartment q
very lovely young woman and "a little
poodle dog that she addressed as Chico
1t seemed to mo that somewhere, and
not very long ago, had met my fair
companion before.
81 sat for some time vainly trying to
rocaii the circumstances of our meeting
but the more ! pondered on it the more
helpless seemed the task.
"a little later on, looking up, founo
that my companion was without book
or paper. So, taking an illustrated mag
azino from my satchel, l offered it to
her. She thanked me and smiled sweet
~. After q time l grew tired of my
novel and resolved to attempt little
conversation with my neighbor. I asked
her if she was going to Nice. She re-
piled that she was and went Oh to say
that her sister, whom she had expected
would 20 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.
+o 10, {l>o+ T
glad Of the lucky chance that had given
mo so charming Il companion. She smii-
cd and asked me if I was to be long at
Nice. She cbatted on about the place,
mentioning the names of many well
known people, who, she said, were her
friends and whom / should no doubt
meet.
"As the evening wore on she opened
q basket containing q dainty lunch.
Would I share it with her?' The cock
evidently had a ridiculous idea of her
appetite. Why, there was enough for
siXn This seemed to be the case. So, as
We were by this time very well acquaint-
ed I accepted her invitation, and we
were soon doing justice to a really ex-
oellent lunch.
"'What 4 charming creature she isP
/ thought How Edith will like her'
Growing confidential, I 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
l exclaimed. She will be very grateful
to you for having made this stupid
journey pleasant for me-
we will drink her healthp cried
my companion gayly, drawing small
silver flask Of exquisite workmanship
from the depths of her basket 4 al
ways carry little cognao with me in
case Of sickness, she explained. Open
ing tho flask and filling dainty glass
with the amber liquid, she handed it to
me, with radiant smile. TO Edith's
health, she said.
81 drained tue glass. 1t was brandy
Of the finest quality L had ever tasted.
She seemed to read my thoughts
" You arc judge Of good liquor.
That is Otard Of 1870
poured little Of the liquor into it and
barely touched it TO her lips.
You must not judge my good
wishes by the amount 1 take. 1 wish
you all tho happiness that life can give
but ! cannot drink as you men do. To
mo itis simply medicine.
''Sooa after this I began to grow
sleepy, and as my companion did not
seem inclined to talk made myself as
comfortable rs circumstances would
permit l 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 o night of comfort.
The next thing it was broad daylight.
1 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 l was q sound sleeper
and that she envied me. She had passed
q wretohed night and was glad that we
WOuiu soon 10 III NlCe. CnOuSnG Oh
Edith, whom l should now see so soon,
and then Of the surprise I had in store
for her.
~ hoped that the necklace would
please her, and then, for the first time,
it occurred to mo that perhaps it would
have been Letter if l had consulted some
woman Of taste before buying it. A
brilliant idea struck me-my 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 on
my lap Removing the wrappings,
opened tho little blue casket. For mo-
ment could not believe my eyes--it
was Cmptyi
Il turned quickly to my companion.
She was leaning forward motionless,
e breathless, her face pale and in her eyes