The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-04-27

Very said the widow, emphatical.
ly, manifestly taken aback. 81 cannot |
imagine how you could have done such |
a thing"
"Mistakts will sometimes happen in |
the best regulated establishments said
Mr.. Bevis, with humility, while Mr.
Tempany felt strong desire to evince
his gratitude by falling on his neck.
"Where is that bracelet this gentle
man purchased then?' inquired the
widow, still in an incredulous tone
For an instant Mr. Tempany's uu-
easness revived, but Mr. Bevis was
quite equal to the emergency. With
out a moments hesitation he turned
round and produced from drawer
behind him case which he had laid
upon the counter. sMr. Tempany was
so overwhelmed with blessed feeling
of relief that he felt no curiosity as to
the contents of the case. His atten-
ton was attracted to it by startled
exclamation from Mrs Bramwell Jay
"Oh Podmore. What splendid
bracelet! Why, it is ablaze of da-
monds i she cried, clasping her hands.
"Eh " exclaimed Mr.. Tcmpany,
hastily putting on his glasses with a
startled air "What! Good heavens
That isn't the bracelet that I--chose,"
he added, seeing at glance that it
must be worth several hundred pounds.
"Yes, it is, SIR returned Mr.. Bevis,
in very quiet, decisive tone.
"Oh! No. II think not, at least"
gasped Mr. Tempany. but observing
the shrewd look on Mr.. Bevis' face,
which said as plainly as possible that
the bracelet was the price of the SER
vice he had rendered, Mr. Tempany
subsidized into a frightened and uneasy
silence.
"Oh Podmc"e. This is really too
good for Amy. Much more than is
necessary, Pm sure" said the widow,
who had been gazing, enraptured, at
the ornament.
eyes, Theodosia, so think" ac
quiesced Mr.. Tempauy eagerly. "It is
too rich. I'm sure she would like
something quite plain better. A gold
band or simple bangle would be
much more suitable. think | will
, change it
"No, Podmore. l have an idea.
g Amy was delighted with my bracelet,
, and she shall have it. / win keep this
one instead of my own as present
from you,' said the widow in tone of
7 decision. at will be the first really
handsome present YOU have given me,
/ you know
l. "Im sure you don't want it, The.
odosia," said Mr.. Tempany with a
+ kind of groau. "It-it doesn't suit
:, your complexion, I'm afraid
"You think not ? Look, Mr.. Bevis.
J. What do you say?" exclaimed the
y widow, tlasping the bracelet on hel
!. shapely arm.
"Excellent!" cried Mr. Bevis in q
= tone of emphatic admiration, for which
II Mr.. Tempany hated him on the srot
a "Nothing could look handsomer.
q "Very we'll Then tina: is settled,
d said Mrs. Bramwell Jay, pleasantly
+, "Tm sure Amy will be glad to get my
q bracelet back again.
"You will have the stone replaced
- of course, sir :" said Mr.. Bevis in ;
1t busness-like tone, as he took up tn,
d discarded ornament
$. "Oh certainly" interposed tn
n widow, before Mr.. Tempany coul,
~ utter a remark 'In fact, l think tn
setting should be renewed altogether
IL 1t is too old fashioned"
ID 81 will make good job of it, re
l piled Mr.. Bevis, putting the case ol
'e one side. Good day, madam. Goo
day to you, sir"
IN Mr.. Tempany went out of the sho
I'd without uttering another word, bein
he quite speechless with mingled emotion
lie His horror at the probable amount c
T. the jewelers. bill was only oqualed b
al the maddening feeling of helplessn,s
u which kept him from demonstrating
el- SO far from experiencing satisfactio
tie at his escape he was now inclined
Id think it had cost him too dear, and h
he sentiments towards Mr. Bevis ha
ly changed to deep resentment. lie e!
y cused himself from accompanying ii
X widow for the remainder of her driv
ny feeling that he must be alone to broo
ge over his crushing misfortunes. III
ly lady seemed neither surprised or hu
". at this sudden deseltioa, and NJ
he Tempany had an uncomfortable su
if picion that she rather enjoyed his di
he comtiture. She was charmingly aft
n BILE, however, and overwhelmed hi
er with expressions of gratitude for h
ke handsome present when he showed h
In into her carriage.
OK "By-the-by, Podmore, DEAR" she c
TO claimed, putting her head out
'h' the window as she drove off, "wh
could have induced you to say in yo
us letter to Amy that this lovely bracel
ZOE was an heir loom in your family ~
rn- This significant speech ranked
ed, good deal in Mr.. Tempany's mi
vas when he had sufficiently recover
ot- from his state of Mortified bewild
cry ment to think it over, 1t really sour
the ed AS if the widow suspected that $
an had been imposed upon, though $
IN had not scrupled to turn the circu
av' stances to account. 1t may have be
'se- owing to guilty conscience, but \
ted Tempany certainly fancied from Il
iile day forward the widow began to ma
ties fest decided GOODNESS toward him.
ur- apparent had this become to him Il
'ed if he had any self-respect he wo'
have terminated the engageme
AXE However, as Mr. Tempany regard
are his marriage. az we know, from v,
nd material point of view, he was not
clined to be very easily affronted.
Ter, AT the last moment, however,
hat unexpected obstacle occurred. The "
ow's solicitor interviewed with so
nth very nasty suggestions about a N
any riage settlement. This Iii not s
ca Mr.. Tcmpanys views at all, and be
By unable to come to terms with the Il
liln- yer, he appealed somewhat indignar
5ev to the lady herself Mrs Rramwell
Mr. refused to insrfere. saying that
title was entirely in the hands of her le