New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-11
a Pearl Necklace.
BY EDITH REDE BUCKLEY.

his relatives who had come to welcome him homA
She mad not had i've minutes alone with him since
Yes, at any risk she cried to herself. II
dead She repeated the words out loud again and
again-'lf love be dead God help her. then. u
him love- denied him ererything Nr he S Ssi net
have taken her at her word and put her out OF hts
life altogether? She had played with edged tools,
and her fingers were bleeding She got Up and
morrow, she would beg for an Interview and tell
him everything and ask him II she had come roo
she to whom a rich feast had been offered And
now" she cried. Il would rather he struck me than
one else in the wide world Were kind on! love il
terrible thing when II like this She
no rings but her wedding ring and as she glanced
down at her clenched white hand she thought what
a mOckery II was TO wear that She sank back
again IN the chair and swayed herself to ard fro:
tonight her heart felt breaking She had learned
to love her husband before he went away but those
two years OF sickenins anxiety had magniied her
love TIL II had grown beyond all bounds. II
like the seed in the Bible parable that had brought
forth fruit hundredfO!d There was knock at
had dismissed returning for something and with
out raising her head she said. Come IN" The door
color fIamed M into her cheeks when shalooksd tID
handsome tonight. and there was a tender Light
lowered head He carried a blue velvet jewel case
In his hand He took up his position with his back
10 the fireplace quite close TO her. and looked down
I'm silence for some minutes-lOOked down OF Der
bowed head thinking that IL was bent IN cold IN
difference. little guessing the love that was
surging within her She wondered II he could
in the absolute stiffness The little carriage clock
licked; coal fell upon the hearth She clenched
her hands together. but she dared not look up. AZ
Mabel I thought you would forgive me FOR con,-
Ing to your room late but remembered IL was
your birthday tomorrow. and wanted you TO
accept my present when we were alone-and We
since l came back" There ring Of almost
entreaty in his voice. do you mind?
Her voice sounded cola, even to herself but she
could scarcely control IL from trembling st IA so
good Of you to remember" she added laInely
He opened the case and displayed row Of ths
most exquisite pearls. with a diamond clasp. lying
How beautiful
She got up and stood close beside him TO sxamins
the necklace: her eyes were clouded and lump
rising in her throat that almost ehOked her
She put out her hand and touched the pearls with
a little caresslng touch for the mere Joy OF know
Ing that he was holding the case.
BY a great effort she controlled her voice.
How lovely they are. and how good You are"
The tears were binding her. she dared not
'Mabr' he had never called her Nab since their
nl-starred wedding day.
NAB. will you let me put II on?'
There tTemOr in his voice; she afraid
he would see her tears.
Yes" IL vas only whisper
He moved to lay the Jewel case on the dressing
table She turned and faced the fire. and looking
into the glass above the mantepiece she could see
his figure reflected and she watched him take the
II 20 his lips. never realizing that she could SEES
him. Then he stepped back TO the fireplace. and.
round her neck. In lightning fash she knew
that the crisis Of her life had come Before she
preparatory speeches that she had rehearsed. for
getting everything excepting that he was close
thing in earth or heaven. she turned and threw
her around his neck with one low sob. and
laid her cheek. wet with tears. against his
He only folded his arm tightly around her. drew
her slender white figure close 10 his breast. and
the whole world FOR her FOR eyer-''My wife.'-CThs
Taller.