The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-04-29
The Ruby
Necklace
"She Paid the Price"
"She Paid the Price"
BY CLARISSA MACKlE

day ball her husband came home early
and sought his wife IN her own rooms
His handsome face was aglow with
love and admiration as he took the
lovely form in his arms and kissed her
eager, red lips.
Darling, you are more beautiful ev-
cry time see YOU" he murmured.
"And you grow more blind she
chided him playfully. II have been
waiting for you to come and tell me
what Jewels shall wear tonight" She
turned to the dressing table and threw
back the lid Of jewel box and remov-
ed the trays. Diamonds, sapphires and
emeralds blazed in the light.
"Wear your rubies, Edith" said Dick
Palmer, with a mysterious smile.
"Rubles? Don't tease, Dick. Those
are the only stones / really want and
do not possess. Shall it be diamonds"
"Rubies tonight" insisted Dick, and
from an inner pocket of his coat he
drew forth fat leather case and plac-
ed it in her hands.
"Dick Palmer, you dariing?' cried
Edith, and she shovered kisses upon
him before she opened the box. When
she finally threw back the lid she was
awed by the beauty Of the stones her
husband had selected for her birthday
gift.
On a bed of white velvet was coiled
a magnificent necklace Of flawleSs ru-
bies, perfect In color and each stone
the size of very large pea.
Dick lifted the necklace and clasped
1t around his wife's neck; then he stood
back to admire the rich red circle Of
fire against the whiteness Of her skin.
"You dear, extravagant boy!' muir
INJURED Edith as she turned to the mir
ror to feast her eyes on the jewel. 81
suppose you paid an enormous price
for it."
81 paid pretty stiff price, but !
guess it's worth it. l didn't buy It In
Buffam's 1t isn't brand new neck
lace; neither is it reconstructed from
an old one. It's genuine antique said
to have belonged to an Asiatic ruler"
"Where did you find It, Dlck?"
LII On Ioullh
I'VE had 1t a month now, and Buffam
has been cleaning it up for me. Well,
/ must run away and dress" Dick
kissed his wife again and left the
room.
Edith stood long before the mirror
watching the liquid fame of the ruby
necklace as she slowly turned her neck.
At last she unclasped it and replaced
it within its case.
"I'll not wear 1t down to dinner. 1t
will be a surprise for all of them when
the ball begins" she said to herself
and looked around for place in which
to secret the case. The large jewel box
would just fit into the tiny steel safe
sunk in the wall near the chimney.
Before the inconspicuous door there
was hung a heavily framed square
painting, which could be moved aside
only by pressing a knob on the other
side of the room.
Now Edith selected diamond brace
let-a dazzling serpent with ruby eyes
and slipped 1t on her arm. Then she
closed and locked the large jewel box,
pressed the knob that moved aside the
square picture and placed the box in
the little safe. There was room after
all for the new jewel case containing
the ruby necklace, and after another
glimpse of the beautiful jewel Edith
tucked that in the safe, closed the steel
clad door, replaced the picture and
went down to dinner just as the gong
sounded.
The rooms were bowers of lowell.
ness. A separate color scheme had
been selected for each one, and the
whole harmonized In one glorious ar.
rangement of flowers and palms.
There were several people staying al
the Palmers', and most of them were
gathered in the drawing room when
Edith entered-the MaXfields, husband
and wife; Eugenia Card, an old schoo
friend of Edith's, and Dicks father
Henry Palmer. The fifth guest, Nine
Geulot had not yet Joined them.
Just as the last strokes of the hall
clock died away there was a rustic OF
silk that hesitated outside the door
and then Nine Geulot came swiftly
in, her bright coloring enhanced by
two vivid crimson poinsettias at heI
breast Her rich blue-black hair was
coiled in soft knot at the back of hel
shapely head, and above her low
thoughtful brow was placed coronet
of diamonds. Nine. Geulot was very
beautiful woman.
"a thousand pardons, cherie," she
cried penitently. '-That so stupid Ma
rie of mine has made what you cal
a muddle of my toilet" She threw out
her hands with a graceful gesture Of
despair, and her long dark eyes darted
from one smiling face to another.
Mrs. Palmer shook her charming
bead and looked at the vision in amber
4atin and diamonds. ''Dear Nine. Geu
lot" she said sweetly, '1f you want t
part with Marie shall be delighted t
relieve you Of your stupid TREASURED"
aNO nOP' And thav all lauphed n