The Lamar register., 1920-07-07
MY WIFE'S
DIAMONDS
By o. B. DU BoIs
tCOpyriGhtD

You probably remember the rise OF
G. X. Q. In nineteen-two. Well, / was
one Of the tight little sticks In the
financial kite at that time, and ! got
mine. | am going to be perfectly
frank. my hst-siZe increased directly
after this transaction.
| began to buy diamonds for Mrs.
Raymond, and never stopped until |
had loaded that clever little lady with
gems galore. even bought them for
my wifes sister. The day gave Mrs.
R the diamond necklace, | gave
one TO her sister Belle. 1t was scan
dalous the way | bought diamonds.
They never came too big or bril-
liant for me. and every stone was
tested by my friend. Silversteln.
used to lunch with Mr.. Silyersteln
quite often. his pawu-broker shop be-
ing located on the same block with
my office.
Well. you know the condition OF
the market In nlneteen-thTee. IL was
simply awful, and things going from
bad to worse.
was living out at Brinton that
year. and when the winter came on
WIS slluplN Nuppcu AOI Anohcss Aoo
can Imagine how bad things were
when l tell you that l sifted the fur
mace ashes and shoveled the snow just
TO economize. and yet we seemed TO be
paying our household bills. Somehow
that blessed little wife Of mine could
stretch ten-dollHr bill until II COW
cred fifty dollars worth OF expenses.
Matters came 10 focus, however.
one morning In December.
Jessie CHATS Mrs. Raymond). and I
had been 10 a reception at the club
the night before. Ye gods but she
sparkled like ut-glass chandelier.
And there was going to the city the
next morning with just thirty-two
cents in my pocket.
Was In the smoker when the Idea
came 10 me
"rll steal Jessie's diamond neck
lace" said |.
You see. l had convinced myself
that three thousand dollars tied up In
n necklace Was too much money.
Directly after dinner Fate drove
things my way on a gallop. for Jessie
suggested that we 60 down and call
on her sister Belle.
Say. Jess" said l. "if you don't
mind. I'd sooner run over 10 the club
house while"
Very we'll" she replied like an obe-
dent little wife. But you'll call for
me, won't your"
Certainly. certainly. IN drop In at
lO;3 sharp" answered.
Oh. but IL was easy Just walked
around the block, went 10 the house.
dug down IN the trunk and took my
plunder.
Just TO keep up the little comedy
and Introduce a realistic effect, | left
the trunk lid open and wrenched on
the fasteners from d window opening
on the kitchen extension.
Naturally. / went TO Silyerstein's
the nrst thing 10 the morning. and he
came up dollar for dollar. OF course.
/ explained that the market was IN
bad shape and | needed some ready
money that day. etc. etc. Do you
know that the fellow actually wantel
to press more money on me; but the
jump from thlrty-twO cents TO three
thousand dollars was enough for me.
Maybe / didn't take home some
hOWers that night.
/ invented d charming fabrication
about sudden rise la stock when
presented some roses that evening
Well, all things come In due season.
and felt certain things were about
due when Jess went upstairs TO dress
for dinner She said she would dress
special" In honor of my good luck
and the roses. / knew that special"
meant diamonds.
She had been In her room u few mo-
ments only when | hs~rd her scream
Mercy Jess. whst Is III" | asked
"oh. oh I'll die from laughter
oh, but this is too funny"
What is 1t. Jessf Tell me at
once"
Why. why somebody has stolen
my diamond necklace" Then she
went OF into another fit Of silly laugh
ter.
Well" | Numbered. Tell me. is
that something funnyT'
oh. yes; it's too funny" she man
aged to say. "They-they were only
paste"
Paste Those diamonds pastel"
howled. You're crazy"
''oh. no. I'm not it's too funny.
IL had a duplicate necklace made
OF paste diamonds" she gurgled Il