The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-05-30
HER DIAMOND EARRINGS.
BY KATE CLEARY.

BY KATE CLEARY.
There they were, to be sure, spark
ling like twin stars, as enVelOped IN
seal she tripped down the steps and
turned her head a moment in passing
by. Mrs. Mayrel dropped the Hol-
land window shade from behind which
she had been accommodating, and
turned away with a groan. To live
in q basement "fat" was bad enough.
To have tapestry Brussels carpets
when Mrs. Kinsley had moquet was
worse; but to have only coral earrings
now when the tenant OF the floor
above displayed diamonds was the
latest and most cruel blow of fate.
A latch-key turned in the street
door. There was step in the pass
age without. Wills CHEEKY voice rang
out, "Dora, dearp
And then in minute-''Why,
what s up? Are you i'll ?''
For his wife OF year lifted her
head from the sOfa-cushion and turned
towards him pair of suspiciously red
eyes.
"No-on gulping down the sob that
"ollltl liSt, DtlL--D-NlG NHt - Spt
them :"
Poor, big, good-natured, mystetied
VIII just stood and stared.
II saw them"
"You did, ell ?"
"Ye-yesl :"
And now" deliberately, ''win you
be good enough to tell me who is she,
and what has she got ?''
Dora swallowed another invisible
pill as she rose.
81 mean Mrs Kinsley. She has got
diamond earrings
VIII burst into a bOyish laugh; then,
seeing it was very serious matter
with his wife, sympathetically sobered
up.
Come, now, Dora. Be sensible
like good little girl You dOn'tmean
to say you'd cry for a pair OF ear
rings !"
Mrs. Mayrells pretty olive face
frightened not ut all at the pleasant
raillery.
"Much good it will do me-" she de
clared sullenly, and intently regardful
OF the toe OF her slipper. Will edged
over to the sofa, sat down beside her,
stole an arm around her.
Dora"
well? ?"
you don't look haIfso pretty when
you're cross"
Silence.
Will began to ask himselfif he hadn't
made tremendous mistake about
twelve months ago Then he banished
the thought as disIoyal She was a
little selfish, perhaps vain, at times
disconnected, but he loved her very
dearly, and no other girl would have
suited him hall so well.
Dora, pet, " he said, gravely, you'd
have diamonds if could give them to
you, indeed you would, dear But
you know I've got to figure pref ty
closely to make ends meet now that
hard times are upon us. You know
that ?"
She nodded.
But when half an hour later he went
back to the office he left behind him a
still very detected little lady
He was not quite so gay as usual
that afternoon. He didn't Joke so
audaciously with the boys nor break
now and then into lifting whistle.
The man who had the desk next his
observed the change.
What's the racket, Mayrell?"
VIII started
80, nothing" and he laughed and
shrugged his shoulders
CHATS a Ge," returned Andrews
with calm directness, and the famil-
iarlty born of long friendship. "Out
with it :"
Will turned to him.
you've helped me out of a good
many tight places | admit, but YOU
can't do it this time"
Andrews, a sandy-haired and club
by-faCed little ScOtchman, cooked his
head on one side like an inuuisitive
sparrow. Maybe not, but try me.
Will laughed with an air of embar-
rassment.
1T seems a foolish thing to worry
so about, apologetically. "Well. as
you must know, here's the case in a
nutshell. Dora wants diamond ear
rings, and | could quite as easily pur-
chase Tor her the World 5 Fair with the
Great Eastern thrown in. Now YOU
know"
Andrews rubbed his chin and nod
ded.
Yes, 1 know" dryIy. Il know
women, at least | know one woman.
and guess they are all pretty much
alike. I'm engaged. :.
"Ho," cried Will.
Fact. Got to get rich first. Do
nestle happiness indefinitely pos+-
poned. Just bought the ring" 'fum-
bling IN his vest pocket. You may
look at 1t and get an idea for your
vlfe's solitaires
Don't Joke, Dan. I'm little sore
on the subject OF my poverty"
4 am not Joking" replied Dan.
swapping a spring with his finger:
what do you think OF that?" And
he handed him a little blue velvet
case. Wills eyes widened.
'Phew how did YOU manage that
on seventy-tive a month? It's beau
Andrews chuckled.
You like it,"
Il should say so. How wonId
stones like that do for earrings ~
70, let up, Dan. where's the use
OF talking about it, That's a carat,
isn't it ?' 81 az
Right you are. But you can get
the same if you wish"
20; some installment scheme, sup
Andrews restored the ring to its
case and the case to his pocket.
Not exactly"
And ne forthwith proceeded to ex- |
plain.
mat night Mayrell said to his wife,
IN try and manage il, Dot" !