Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-09-11
The Knot in the Pearls.


10 tempt ner into pleading for them.
into more laughter, into quite a tor
rent OF teasing and excited speech, he
held out as long as he could. In the end
she went off with her letters.
I'm convinced it's some rubbish"
she threw at him in parting; and |
do want to see just how silly you are!"
will you tell me how silly you think
me?" he asked.
If you're silly-enough," said she.
OF course, he expected an answer
expected it feverishly, filled with a boy
ish impatience and unrest he had never
surpassed in his boyh6od. When it
came, it was like her, he told himself;
and it was certainly put in few words,
if that was really like her, and his
doubts on that subject were brand
new ones. will you come and see
me?' she wrote, naming an hour. Of
course he went-praying the while that
he should find her alone.
And she was alone; so far, he quick
ly saw the realization of his wish. YET
for the moment; as he advanced toward
her up the long room. he hardly knew
her-hafdly recognized her ~unadorned
beauty, the child of the dowdy frocks.
in the perfectly dressed girl now wait
ing for him with laughter and bushes
chasing each other on her b%ewildering
face. Fol the first time in his life he
found nothing to say, and so she was
forced to begin. She seemed not un=
willing:
Your letters are charming" she
said. She put up a hand to the imita-
ton pearls, side by side with some
that looked priceless, among the laces
at her neck, and twisted them round
to show him they were unknotted.
Your letters are charming" she re-
peated, with the least little break in
her voice. Then she frightened and
smiled. And what do you think of my
frock?"
Il think it is-charming,' he said.
She came nearer to him.
"Will you answer me something7"
she asked,
"Yes-yes-anythingi'
only ~this-which sort of frock do
you like me in best?"
This" he said, true to his creed.
This-I suppose. Oh, my darling, we
are starting at the wrong end, but if
you keep the letters we shan't be able
to afford such frocks."
Il wouldn't give up the letters for
anything" she declared.
Il go with the letters" he said.
Again the laugh in her eyes. "And
I'd rather give up the letters than you,"
she smiled.
Then hang the froeks!" he cried,
and would have caught her to him, but
she warded him off.
stop, do stop"-then she blushed-
"for a-Stop, won't you, please!
Then don't you know really? Don't you
truly know"
WHAT"
THAT I've more frocks and more
money to buy new ones than | know
what to do with, and-and'-
do you mean to tell me7"-
let me tell you. | mean, | had the
childish ideal see nov how childish
it was-to try and pass myself off in
your society as a poor American girl.
for d change. And It was a failure.
fright as | looked-it was a failure,
with just n exception. You are the
exception, and until now | have never
felt quite, quite sure that even you
could be excepted" Into her eyes crept
their pathetic look.
my dearest" he cried, "just for your
sweet self loved you! On my honor, |
did not know, and | loved you because
l could lot help It,"
This time she did not ward him off.
mo woman wants to be loved for
any other reason" she said; and /
shan't mind the money and things
any more"
And the knot in the pearls?". he
asked, later.
Il knotted them at first because it
seemed, somehow, in keeping with the
stupid sort of girl l was to be. But
when | noticed how you always stared
at them, | kept them knotted TO-
well, why?'n
ITO keep you-staringl" she laughed.
And did you never find out?-
"Oh!' she interrupted, Il asked just
every n why a knot in a row of
pearls should make a wise man-any
man-stare so. | was always asking,
until some one told me about the old
saying of the love letter, and them
And then?,
by them he amended.
"Oh, I'd like to finish" she said,
brayely. by then, | was SO anxious
for your letters | couldn't unite it.
You see," she almost whispered, my
heart was caught In the knot and it
wouldn't unite until you helped me-
New York American