The Bismarck Tribune

The Tangle
From Leslie Prescott

"I would much rather sell them."

Almost as an inspiration, when I saw how terribly Mr. Corcoran felt at my father's illness, I told him that I had come to him to find out where I could obtain some money on my pearls,

"Do you want to borrow money my dear," he asked. "If you do, of course I will lend it to you."

"No. I do not, dear Mr. Corcoran, but you know at the time of my marriage I was given a very wonderful string of pearls."

"I didn't know it, child."

"Well, of course, if dad were well I would ask him for the money, but honestly Mr. Corcoran I think it is foolish for a woman in as moderate circumstances as are those of Jack's and mine, to wear so much money about her neck.

With this I took my pearls out and held them up to him.

"They are very beautiful, my dear, but I wouldn't know whether they are real or false," he said.

"That's just it. I could wear the false ones and be just as satisfied as I am with these. You see, Mr. Corcoran, the expenses of my illness have been very great and Jack has just lost a large sum of money through a friend. I don't want to ask him for any money because he needs every cent to make good his friend's defalcation.

"Consequently I thought that I could sell two or three of these jewels and still have plenty of wear while helping Jack a little."

"But I would give you the money, Leslie," said Mr. Corcoran. "Why do you insist upon selling these pretty baubles?"

"I wouldn't feel right to borrow the money of you, Mr. Corcoran. I