Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-07-05
THE LOST NECKLACE.

] had been TO purchase O diamond neck
lace for Edith, my iancee. / had for
my companion in the compartment o
very lovely young woman and a little
poodle dog that she addressed as Chico.
Il seemed to me that somewhere. and
not very long ago, 1 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 Inter on, looking up, found
that my companion was without book
or paper. So, taking an illustrated mag
azine from my satchol, / offered i5 to
her. She thanked ms and smiled sweet
". After o time / grew tired Of my
novel and resolved to attempt a little
conversation with my neighbor. / asked
her IL she was goirg to Nice. She re-
piled that she was and went on to say
that her sister, whom she had expected
would 20 with her, had disappointed
her at tho 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 hastened to assure her that I was
glad of the lucky chance that had given
mt 80 charming a companion. She smil-
ed and asked me if l was to DO long et
Nice. She chatted on about the place,
mentioning the names Of many well
known people, who, she said, wero her
friends and whom 1 should no doubt
meot.
"As the evening wore on she opened
n basket containing a dainty lunch.
Would 1 share it with her?' The cook
evidently had a 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 acquaint-
ed, l accepted her invitation, and we
were Don doing justice to a really ex-
cellent lunch.
"'Whnt n charming creature she ISL
I thought. How Edith will like herr
Growing confidential, l 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 NY fair ono's many charms.
You will meet her and can see for
yourself if I'll / say Of her is not true!'
I exclaimed. She will be very grateful
TO you for having made this stupid
journey pleasant for me-
1--WE will drink her healthr cried
my companion gayly, drawing a small
silver flask of exquisite Workmanship
from the depths of her basket. L al
ways carry a little cognac with me in
case Of sickness, she explained. Open
ing the fasl; and filing a dainty glass
with the amber liquid, she handed it to
me, with o radiant smile. To Edith's
health, she said.
II drained the glass. It was brandy
CO the finest quality 1 had ever tasted.
She seemed to read my thoughts.
"'You are a judge of good liquor.
That Is Otard Of 1870
'Taking the glass from my hand, she
poured a little Of tie liquor into it and
barely touched it to her lips.
lyon must not judge my good
wishes by tie amount 1 take. l wish
you all the happiness that life can give,
but I cannot drink as you men do. To
me it is simply a medicine.
"Soon afCer this 1 began to grow
sleepy, and as my companion did not
seem inclined to talk / made myself as
comfortable as circumstances would
permit. : Turned my head toward the
window, through which the surround
ing country could be seen dimiy - .io
moonlight, as we rushed along, and re-
signed myself to a night Of comfort
The next thing it was broad daylight.
Iawoke with a dull pain in my head
and a sense Of WEAKNESS that my sleep
had rather increased than diminished.
my companion was sitting by tho
window reading the book ! had given
her the night before. On perceiying that
vas awake she put down her book
and remarked that Twas a sound sleeper
and that she envied me. She mad passed
awretched night and was glad that we
would soon be in Nice. / thought Of
Edith, whom / should now see so soon,
and then Of the surprise l had in store
for her.
II hoped that tho necklace would
please her, and then, for tho first time,
it occurred to me that perhaps it would
have boon better If had consulted some
woman Of taste before buying it. A
brilliant Idea struck mo-my oompan-
ion was just the one to decide. / would
ask her opinion. It was not too late tc
change the necklace for something else
II she thought II not suitable. wa,
sure she would tell mo candidly Just
what she thought.
'Unbuttoning my coat, / drew the
package from my pocket and laid Il on
my lap. Removing tho wrappings, ]
opened the little blue oaslet For a mo
ment / co,Ad not believe my eyes-ii
was empty
Il tursl quickly to my companion.
She was leaning forward motionlesA,
5reathless her face pale and ia her oyes