Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-16
"A STORY BY JACQUES CONSTANT.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH
BY WILLIAM L. MCPHERSON


fession of broker. That profession has the
j inconvenience of being vague. but the ado
vantage of lending isaSf to al combina-
RsDns of human activity. Unfortunately that
vMn the case with him. Gustave was not
very active. over 40, he stiM lived by expe-
sients counting more on good luck than on
labor to support his family.
For he had been married for 10 years. Louise,
M wife who brought him small dowry soon
hoent was a person Of gentle character, but
tNoderate intelligence. She kept his accounts,
tried to hold of his creditors and gave lessons
"a the piano. an instrument on which she had
played passably as q child.
Their modest social position did not prevent
Nustave from dressing well and showing him.
tcR In quarters frequented by luxury and FASH
aOn, Each day. on getting up, he hoped to
Meat a friend who would intrust him with the
handling OF some magnificent venture. Each
evening, on going to bed. he deferred that hope
tntn the next day. HIS wife sometimes re-
preached him for his idleness. But he looked
8 her 50 haughtily and with such cOntemptu-
Gus silence that she bIushed Ike q criminal.
Eqms their lives ran on.
fNNE afternoon Gustave found hinlself-he
y could not have told why--in . big hotel in
the Champs Elysees. He was sitting in one Of
che chairs in the corridor watching the guests
mass by. lady OF uncertain age occupied
che seat next to his. She was richly gowned
and was reading an American newspaper. Sud-
In IL
lar which she wore slipped down over her
shoulder and caught for moment between her
back and the chairs back As she made an
ether movement it disappeared.
'rThe clasp broke" murmured dustave,
whom a first impulse prompted to warn the
cwner. But second impulse checked the first.
The lady. having finished reading the news
paper, arose and looked around with satisfied
air. she walked away and took the elevator.
gsustaye shifted to the chair which she had
left Putting his hand behind him he searched
che cushioned seat, felt the necklace, graSped
ft and concealed it in his palm. He got up,
walked carelessIy through the corridor, and
through the windows of the circular glass door
he had time to see the lady return gesttculating
and talking excitedly to group Of hotel en-
plOyes. What she was saying did not interest
him. He descended the Champs Eiysees, to
side street and entered q bar TO reflect.
Two courses presented themselves. He could
return the necklace or keep Il. 0ustave cali
euIated that this lady was rich enough, like
III Americans, not to be embarrassed by her
loss. Then why not keep it-for year and
q day-as the police do? After which, II no
Advertisement came to hts notice, he would
feel entitled to his nnd This reasoning ex-
hEbtted q very relative sense OF morality But
tAas reascner thought Il improbable. He kept
the necklace in his pocket and went home.
what should he say 10 Mime, Lebler?
p1gothlne." he concluded he hid the necklace
"a . drawer, which he carefully locked. He
fefrained from reading the newspapers for
week or more, 50 as to relieve his conscience,
and all would have gone wen II Nine. Iebler
bad not had a duplicate key % the drawer.
~Ahi what is this?" she exclaimed one.
Gay.
Her husband, who was reading o travel
guide looked up and saw the necklace in her
hand. He hesitated ~ to whether he should
Zen her the truth He feared to excite moral
AFFECTIONS on her part. Poor Louise was 80,
1Ooiishl He merely answered indifferently:
"Ahl yesl A necklace Of false pearls which
B found. It has no value"
rTley are well initiated" said Louise,
rYes. Well, leave them where they are and
give me . glass Of brandy"
THIS interview took place after dinner. The
= following morning Gustaye went out to.
keep q business appointment. On the way
home he said to himself that he ought not to
let his capital asset lie idle. Could he not sen
the pearls, one by one?
He found his wife radiant.
"Look at this dearestl" she cried, showing
him q little emerald set In o ring, which she
wore ON her finger.
ibid somebody make you present, LOuise?n
enTNkn late nyxxnn RwlM a
NAN, who is sailing for New York She came to
see me this morning just before taking her