 Why did the main character no longer keep the ruby necklace?
HOMECOMING BY MIGUEL HIDALGO What lasts forever? Not even forever [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, April 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] They had no place in the dust-caked, tired body, yet there they were, seeking, always seeking—searching the clear horizon, and never seeming to find what they sought. Then both man and horse plunged headlong into the waiting torrent, deep into the cool embrace of the clear liquid. They soaked it into their pores and drank deeply of it, feeling life going once more through their veins. Refreshed and momentarily content, he sat staring into the dying fire, seeing the bright glowing coals as living fingers clutching at the wood in consuming embrace, taking all and returning nothing but ashes. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. "Oh, a ring, and it's a diamond, too!" "It's for you; so long as you wear it, I'll come back, even from the dead, if need be. She held the ring up to the light and read aloud, "It is forever." She took off the locket she wore about her neck and held it up to the shimmering light, letting it spin at the end of its chain. It was in the shape of a star, encrusted with emeralds, with one large ruby in the center. When he opened it, he found a picture of her in one side, and in the other a picture of the children. He took her in his arms again, and loosened her long, black hair, burying his face in it for a moment. Then he kissed her, and instantly was drawn down into the abyss which seemed to have no beginning or any end. His cold fingers found the locket, making a little bulge under his uniform, and the touch of it seemed to warm the blood in his veins. Three days later they had landed in Spain, merged with another division, then crossed the Pyrenees into France, and finally to Paris where the fighting had begun. Three years later they were on the road to Moscow. The Russians had not yet used the H-bomb; the threat of annihilation by the retaliation forces had been too great. When the all-clear had sounded, the men clambered from their shelters.
 The love that was symbolized by the necklace is now gone.
 He would rather the monster have the necklace.  He wanted the necklace to remain with the house where his love was.  He figured his wife might come back for the necklace and know that he had returned from war.  The love that was symbolized by the necklace is now gone.