The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-11-07
PARTIII.
THE AFFAIR OF THE NEcKLAcE.
cHAPTER /.
IN nELRnYs.

Richard DclrOy was known
among his more familiar associates as
Dickie, he was not, as hat diminutive
might seem to Indicate, merely a good
fellow and mar. about town. 1t Is true
that his wealth vas great, and that he
had never settled down 20 that
Mrs. Delroy, Miss Croydon was OF that
steady struggle for mons which had
marked his fathers career. n which
many persons seem to think the only
fitting employment for a man in his
position. He had concluded, wisely per-
haps, that he had enough. and there
upon proceeded to an intelligent enjoy
ment OF Il.
He had an office in the Wall street
district, where he spent some hours
daily in interested contemplation OF the
worlds markets and pregnant talks
with investors, promoters, and beggars
OF various denominations. He had a
fondness for books and art. finer and
deeper than a mere mania for pur-
chasing rare editions and unique mas
terpieces; he was a member OF the
Citizens union and contributed freely
to every effort to suppress political
graft and corruption; he was vice
chairman of the University Settlement
society, and belonged to many other
politico-evangelical organizations. He
had built two or three model tenements.
after that voyage of discovery among
the slums of London, which had also
resulted, as we have seen, in his meet
ing the woman who became his wife.
Among these varied occupations, he
managed to pass his time pleasantly,
and at the same time not unprofitably.
In a word. if he did nothirg very good,
neither did he do anything very bad
indeed. he averaged up considerably
better than most men of his class--and
1t may be added, as q positive virtue,
that he had married for love and ON
tinued TO regard his wife with an affec-
ton somewhat unusual I'm its intensity.
A great many people wondered why
he had married Edith Croydon, but
they were mostly those who had never
met her. She would be called attractive
rather than beautiful. with a quiet
charm of manner which vas felt most
intensely III the privacy Of her own
home. She was quite the opposite OF
vivacious, yet there was about her no
appearance OF sadness, and her smile.
when 1t came, was the sweeter and
more welcome because long delayed.
She gave one a certain sense of valuing
it, OF not wasting 1t. Certainly, she
succeeded in making her husband an
entirely happy a which is, perhaps,
the highest praise that can be given a
wife. II is almost needless to add
that she thoroughly sympathized with
him In his experiments for the better
ment of the condition OF the poor, and
that her marriage had not interfered
with her ~ active work In the same
direction.
Her sister was cast In a different
mould. Her beauty won an instant ap-
probation. Six a younger than
Mrs. Delroy, Miss Croydon was of that
striking. decisive type OF brunette
which takes a mans heart by storm.
Tlgsn 4 would think Of hnr ou a n xyfh fas
but daring and observation-disclosures.
even-ready for any emergency and
willing to meet II squarely, open-eyed.
A man, looking at her, would feel ris-
ing in his breast not that instinct of
protection which most awaken,
but rather that instinct OF the con-
queror which is, perhaps, our heritage
from the Vikings.
1t was to Richard Delroy that Tre-
maine had applied for assistance In
promoting the Martinique railroad.
How ne gained an introduction, / do
not know-perhaps from some uncritical
man in the street: but gain IL he did,
and he used the opportunity to good
advantage. l can easily imagine the
perfection OF wizardry he brought TO
bear upon Delroy--the persuasive elo-
quence, the irresistible fascination. In
the end. he succeeded not only in per-
suading Delroy of the perfect feasibility
OF the scheme. but in gaining admis-
sion TO Delroy's family.
IT had been achieved IN this wise:
They were discussing the railroad en-
terprise one afternoon. and finally he
talk wandered to art and hen to mu-
sic. Delroy was delighted to find HIS
companion a connoisseur OF delicate
perception and apparently wide expert
ence.
Il suppose you've been attending the
opera%" he inquired, finally.
oh. certainly; always when there is
something I care especially to hear"
DE Reszke and Melba are on to-
ni-ht."
Il intend to be there" said Tremaine
instantly, no doubt guessing at what
would follow.
Then come up TO our box said Dell
roy. Wen be glad TO nave you
II shall be very glad to come"
The words were spoken evenly. quiet
iy. without any indication OF that deep
burst OF triumph which glowed within
him: for 1t was a triumph-a veritable
one-one for which many men and
most women would have made any sac
rihce. He controlled himself admir-
ably. too. at the opera and II was not
ratil the end OF the second act that he