The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-27
THE JEWELS.

hard workers. She had no fortune, no
hope of any, no chance of meeting rich
suitors, and so she let herself be mar
ried to a young employe in the board OF
public education
She dressed simply because she could
not afford to dress extensively. Con-
sequently she was very discontinued,
thinking herself worthy Of the highest
luxury and elegance.
She despised the cheap fat in which
she lived with its bare walls shabby
furniture. and hideOus hanglngs-all
these things, generally a matter of IN
difference to q woman Of her class, were
positive torture to her-and so she gave
herself UP to absurd impossible dreams.
She dreamed of gorgeous anterooms,
hung with Oriental fabrics, lighted with
candles in bronze sconces, Of servants in
livery and powder doing in armchalrS.
drOWsv with the heat and perfume of
the place. She dreamed of great salons,
draped with cleaning silk, OF tables
loaded with priceless bric-a- brac, of lit
tie cOquettish boudoirs and O'Clock teas
with intimate chosen friends and all
the distinguished and sought after men
eager to gain admittance to the charmed
circle. When she sat down to dinner
a the little round table covered with
cloth that had seen three DAYS service,
opposite to her husband. who himself
removed the cover of the soup tureen,
declaring with an air of perfect content,
"What a delicious soupi Nothing is
better than vegetable SOUP" she would
decline the soup, and dream OF dainty
little dinners in a dining room hung
with tapestries, the table brilliant with
glass and silver, the viands served on
wonderful dishes.
She had nothing-no money no jewels,
no toilettes. As she really cared for
nothing else, her life seemed worthless
to her She longed to be envied, tas-
cinating and sought after, and she be-
leVed that she would be all these if she
could dress as she wished to. She had
given up visiting her one rich friend. a
former schOolmate; the contrast in their
surroundings was too painful to her
Tor days at time she wept from sheer
despair.
One night her husband came home.
heaming with delight "A large envelope
fin his hand. Here is something for
you" he said. She tore open the en-
velope and found a printed card that
read.
"The minister Of public instruction
and Mime. George Rampanneau request
the pleasure Of NJ. and Mime. LOiseIs
company, at the house of the minister
on Monday evening. 18th January
Instead of the delight which her hus-
band had anticipated she threw the
paper on the table and said Grossly.
What good is that to me?"
"Whym my dear. l thought you would
he pleased. You go out so seldom, and
81 win be well worth seeing had
hard work to get the invitation 1t is
TO be a very swell affair. and very few
all Of the high officials"
What have ] TO wear to such a
function as that she answered sulH-
lily.
wear to the theater? You always look
so pretty in it," To his horror she burst
into violent weeping.
MY darling. what is the matter?
With great effort she Gained herselI
eIt is nothing Only, as ] have no
ball dress, I cannot go TO the bali Give
the card to one of your friends whose
wife has better clothes than nave
These words touched him deeply.
aHow much would a ball dress cost
vou2 Something simple. that would be
useful to you on other occasions ne
asked. =
II do not know exactly. 1 think i
might manage with eighty dollars.
He turned a little pale, for he had
been putting money aside lately for ths
purchase of new gun, and he had been
locking forward to a cunning trip 10
Nanterre with some friends the foliOW
ing summer. but he answered braVeiy
VERY we'll You shall have eighty dol
lars DO the best with it YOU can
For days before the BAN Mathilds
seemed restless and dissatisfied. al
though her dress was ready and a per
feet success. Her husband asked her
what she was worrying about
II have no Jewels. she said; mot one
stone of any kind shall look cutie
poverty stricken. I would almost rathe-
stay at home"
"Why do you not wear naturai
flowers they are so much worn now
F'or two dollars you can get three mag
ni6caut roses"
No" she said pettishly; there is
nothing so humihating as to look poor
among a lot of rich women"
WIN" said H. I-oisel. suddenly.
why do you not ask your friend Nine
Forester to lend you some Of her
She uttered % r,.4- 81 a.t3--,4 s.,-r-4- 4
that
She flew to her friend and told her
all her troubles.
Mime. Forester brought out her level
box and opened il, saying. Choose fos
yourself. my dear; take anything YOU
want"
With eager fingers Mathilde turned
over the jewels. bracelets a pearl neck,
lace. Jewelled cross. She tried them OF
before the mirror. finding il hard IL
decide At last in a black satin box
she found superb necklace of dja-
monds. Her heart beat wildly. he.
myers trembled as she clasped then
ABOUT her throat Would her frienc
lend such valuable jewels2" yes, yes
you can wear them, my dear" Nine
4oisel embraced her friend and frv
nomeWard with her treasure
Niauaine 1-olsel was great success al
{ne pan. She was the prettiest woman
in tne room, graceful. smiling. wiidIe
nappy All the man asked to he r,re.
scented; the high officials asked her +,
dance; the minister himself remarlxes
upon her beauty
She danced with such q nassfo, n,
enjoyment, lost to everything but tn.
trlumps of the hour. in a sort of fairy.
land OF admiration and homage. the al
Hlosphere so precious to a woman. that
X was hard indeed to come haclr H
earth again. She consented to 20 hornt
az O'Clock Since midnight her huehans
mad been peacefully slumbering in ar
anteroom, with several other indulgen.
themselves He folded her v-rar 49,.
lully about her-the poor little every.
day wrap. that looked so mean over hei
handsome dress. She tried to escapa ths
eiances or the other women who were
putting on their costly furs. but bei
husband insisted that she should wal
while he called a cab. as she was tos