The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-09-11
String OfGreen Beads.
By CHARLOTTE FROST.

closing chorus died away.
Among those who still remained
sitting as if spellbound by the music
were a regally handsome lady and
her escort, both foreigners. This
lady it was vino, among all that even
ing's patrons, had most attracted the
admiration Of Louis, the pale boy
usher. Accustomed to the sight OF
beautiful and sumptuously-gowned
women, this one with her majestic
air, brilliant eyes and gracious smile
seemed to him a queen. Regretfully
she at length rose and offered her SUI
perb shoulders to receive her ermine
cloak.
That night Louis. duties kept him
late. At last, ready, to go, passing
down3the' aisle, he was attracted by a
glittering object in the seat the lady
had occupied. Closer inspection
showed q string of beads curled upon
the velvet cushion, where they had
slipped from her neck. Louis raised
them toward the light. How they
cleaned and scintillated. each bead
of pale green throwing off sparks
; from it's fascets as it swung from his
hand.
TITS no use to think of restoring
them to her tonight" thought he.
The lights were already being eX-
tinguished, so he slipped the neck
lace carefully into his pocket and
started home.
The street where Louis lived with
his invalid mother and little sister
was an obscure one, far from the
homes of the pleasure seekers who
~frequented the opera; for Louis was
the family's sole support. But it was
his ambition some way to give his
sister, passionately fond of music and
gifted with a voice Of great promise,
musical advantages. How, he did
not yet know.
He found both mother and Con-
stance waiting up for him.
What makes you look SO happy,
Louise" queried Constance, as he
opened the door.
do II" replied Louis, Indifferent
~, still smiling. 1T must be because
the music was wonderfully fine to-
night"
How I'd love to hear it, too"
cried Constance. Some time you'll
going to take me with you, aren't
you? i dream of it all-the heavenly
music, beautiful faces-and hear the
singing. in my sleep-really!"
ayes, Sis, some time when I'm rich
you and mother shall go every night
and hare the best box in the house"
Louis disposed of his tea and toast
with great relish, then said. What
do you suppose I've got in my pocket,
Sis? Want to see? Guess. mother"
"Deary me, I lei could tell"
said the little mother.
Then Louis held up the sparkling
beads.
lob, Louis! did you find tnem :
How beautiful. They seem to be
alive, don't they mother"
But not half as beautiful as the
lady who lost them" said Louis,
tw:-ling the string. .
IF you know; who lost them,
Louis"-began Constance, who was
the soul of honor.
Then Louis. explained, assuring
them the necklace would be adver.
Used in the morning.
meanwhile they're yours, Sis. Put
them on and play you are a great
lady"
Constance clasped the necklace
about her slender throat, turning
about to get a better view of herself
10 the little mirror. Then breaking
into a snatch of song
II really think i could sing like
your prima donna wearing this
Louis" she laughed merrily.
Some time, Sis" whispered he.
The next morning Louis scanned
the papers and bulletin boards il
vain. The days passed, Constance
still guarding the treasure. She hat
grown fond of it. and often opening
the drawer, where it lay on a scraI
vi tSiVSl. pdlICu ~ )OSluSiyE
One evening, happening to be of
duty, Louis took Constance to tn
Park. He had persuaded, her, mucl
against her will, to wear the neck
lace. Constance, happily chatting OF
the street car, heard someone behind
her say:
Yes, strangely brilIiant-like tina
wonderful string, Nine. T. wore
as Elsa-they seemed to throw OF
sparks. But these were probabl.
bought for a quarter" the speake,
laughed.
A few days later Louis, taking tn
beads, consulted a jeWeller. An ide;
q taken possession Of him since h
regarded himself as the rightfu
owner. He grew quite pale at tn
value named. The beginning of Con
stances career seemed assured. Still
he hesitated to sell the necklace
There was no hurry he told himself
A ycar passed and, having saVet
little by little, Louis was able to Civ
Constance the long promised visi
to the opera. 1t was during the rul
Of "~Lohengrin," and Constance, a. il
a dream. vas transported into a won
derland of beauty and light. Whel
Elsa stepped upon the stage radiaD
as q vision, Louis, with a great start
saw the lady of the beads.
at is she, Constance" he whis
pered.
Are you sure, Louis? Then W
mug. see h l.. My beautiful beads
But l shall not min0 giving them u
to her She is divine. But listen