Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-05-27
HER DIAMOND EARRINGS,
BY KATE CLEARY.

There they we're, 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. Mayrell dropped the Hol-
land window shade from behind which
she had been accommodating, and
turned away with a groan: TO live
in a basement "hat' 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 a step in the pass
age without. Willis CHEEKY voice rang
out, dora, dear"
And then in a. minute-"Why,
what's up? Are you ill?"
For his wife OF year lifted her
head from the sofa-cushion and turned
towards him u pair of suspiciously red
eyes.
moo" gulping down the sob that
would rise; ''but-b-ut she's got
them !"
Poor, big, goodnatured, mystetied
Will just stood and stared.
II saw them!"
"You did, ell ?"
"Ye-yes"
"And now," deliberately, evil you
be good enough to tell me who is she, ,
and what has she 'got'?''
Dora swallowed another invisible
pill as she rose.
II mean Mrs. Kinsley. She has got
diamond earrings"
Will burst into aboyish laugh; then,
seeing it was q very serious matter
with his wife, sympathetically sobered
up.
"Come, now, Dora. Be sensible,
like good little girl. You don't mean
to say, you'd cry for a pair OF ear
rings!'
Mrs. Mayrell's pretty olive face
frightened not at all at the pleasant
raillery.
"Much good it will do mel" 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 half SO pretty when
you're CROSS"
Silence.
Will began to ask himself he hadn' t
made q tremendous mistake about
twelve months ago. Then he banished
the thought as disloyal. She was a
little selfish, perhaps vain, at times
disconnected, but he loved her very
dearly, and no other girl would have
suited him half 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 pretty
closely to make ends meet now that
hard times are upon us. You know
that ?"
She nodded.
But when half all hour later he went
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 q lifting whistle
The man who had the desk next his
| observed the change.
"What's the racket, Mayrell?"
Willstarted.
20, nothing" and he laughed and
shrugged his shoulders.
'"That's q ie," returned Andrews
with calm directness, and the famil-
iarity born of long friendship. "Out
with it!'
Will turned to him.
"You've helped me out of a good
many tight places I 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 inquisitive
sparrow. MAYBE not, but try me-"
Will laughed with an air of embar-
rassment.
cit seems q foolish thing to worry
so about" apologetically. "Well, as
you must know, here's the case in q
nutshell. Dora wants diamond car
rings, and could quite as easily pur-
chase for her the Worlds Fair with the
Great Eastern thrown in. Now you
know"
Andrews rubbed his chin and nod
ded.
eyes, I know" dryly. II know
women, at least l know one woman,
and guess they are all pretty much
alike. Pm engaged"
"Ho" cried Will.
'Fact. Got to get rich first. Do
nestle happiness indefinitely post
poned. Just bought the ring" fun
bling in his vest pocket. "You may
look at it and get an idea for your
"Don't joke, Dan. Pm q little sore
on the subject OF my poverty"
II 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. Willis eyes widened.
'Phew! how did you manage that
on seventy-6ve a month? It's beau
ty."
Andrews chuckled.
"You like it,"
II should say so. How would