South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-25

she has some wonderful jewelry. Yes
terday she came here No'h long
story. IL seems she's losl q lot of
money in stocks and can't realize just
now on any OF her investments, so
she wants 10 sell some of her jewelry
She said / could have this for just
what she could pawn il for"
Sounds "A little ishy." shrugged
Warren, who was always skeptical
about such stories.
tOf course 1 don't know how much
OF it's true. But, at any rate, this
must be worth hundred and nifty"
IF that pearl is all right Il must
be worth great deal more" agreed
Warren.
Again Mrs. Stevens took the pen
dant from its case and clasped it
AROUND Helen's neck.
Up to- Warren.
There" turning her. flushing to-
ward Warren. why don't YOU give
il 20 her for a Christmas present?
already have One-that's the only rea-
son / hesitate"
The pause that followed was some
what awkward No man likes to be
put in the position of admitting that
he cannot afford or does not want to
give his wife jewelry.
"Oh, dear, you know I don't want
you TO get me anything so expensive"
faltered Helen. wishing desperately
that Mrs stevens had not made such
a suggestion.
why not take it home and think
about it? l don't have TO give Mrs.
Barclay d decision until day after to-
morrow. I'm satisfied that it's worth
more than that; but if you're not.
why not take it some place and have
il valued"
ooh. no, no." protested Helen. I'D
&c afraid I'd lose il or something
might happen TO It,"
In spite Of Warren's frowning dis
approval, Helen finally yielded to Mrs.
Stevens insistence and put the case in
her pocket.
For the rest of the evening Helen
could think Of nothing but the pearl
lavalliere. 1t would be wonderful
with evening gowns and she could
wear 1t in the afternoon, too. Only
yesterday she had ridden down Fifth
av. with an extensively dressed wo-
man. whose fur collar was at the neck
to show just such pearl pendant.
But would Warren be willing 10
give that much money for a piece of
jewelry? And even if he we're
should she let him?
Later. when they were leaving Mrs.
DltN tIS W llSptIGu.
Now, don't be Q little goose. Let
him get 1t for you If he wants"
Helen il Sorry.
But outside Helen took Warrens
arm with an anxious:
Dear. I'm so sorry Mrs. Stevens
suggested that. You know l don't
we can't afford it,"
Haven't said we coUldn't-have
II" gruffiy. But she had a nerve to
propose 1t. You want to steer clear
of business dealings with friends any
how. If you've got TO have one of
these gewgaws. it's be a darn sight
better to go TO a jeweler than to get
hixed up in any monkey business like
this"
But dear, she said it cost four
hundred; you couldn't buy anything
like it for a hundred and fifty It's
nothing to Mrs. Stevens whether we
take it or not. II was only kind Of
her to give us the chance"
Blamed presumptuous - that's
what it was" muttered Warren. But
have the thing valued, if you want to.
Wouldn't surprise me if the pearl was
fake. I've my doubts about that
woman. Mrs. Stevens is an easy
mark for anybody like that"
They were in the subway now. and
Helen could not resist taking out the
case.
"Oh. this pearl must be genuine
they couldn't immitate that lustre."
Put that away" growled Warren.
This is no place to look at it..
Everybody in the cars watching
you"
AS Helen closed the case Warren
took 1t from her and put it in his
pocket.
But when they reached home
Helen's eager excitement could not be
suppressed. She flew into the dress
ing room and hurriedly slipped on an
evening gown.
The Pearl Conc.
Now, dear" running into the IL
brary. where Warren was reading.
"let me have it. 1 want TO see how
it looks with this"
Without glancing up from his paper
Warren drew out the case.
Helen ran to the mantel mirror and
was clasping the chain around her
neck. when she fell back with a
startled cry
What's the matter now?" Warren
looked up with scowl.
The Pearl! lists gOnei"
Throwing down his book. Warren
strobe over and catching her rough
~ by the shoulder. whirled her
around SO the light would fall on the
ornament
The large pink pearl which had
was missing.