Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-26
DIAMOND EARRINGS.

There they were, to be sure! spark
ling like twin stars, as enveloped IN
seal she tripped down the steps and
turned her head moment in passing
by. Mrs Mayrell dropped the Hol-
land window shade from behind
which she had been reconnoiterIng,
and turned away with grOan. To
live in the 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 passage
without. Wills CHEEKY voice rang
out, Dora, dear!'
And then a minute-"Why,w what's
up2 Are you ill.,"
For the wife of year lifted her
head from the sofa-c 1shion and turn
toward him a pair of suspiciously red
eyes.
''NG-o" gulping down the sob that
would rise; But--b-ut she's got them?"
Poor, big, goodnatured, mystified
VIII just stood and stared.
ST saw them"
"You did, eh2''
"Ye-yesw
"And uow," deliberately, will you
be good enough to tell me who is she
and what has she 'got9'
Dora swallowed another invisible
pill as she rose.
81 mean Mrs, Kinsley. She has got
diamond earrings"
Will burst into a boyish laugh
then seeing it was very serious mat
ter with his wife, alphabetically
sobered up.
"Come, now, Dora. Be sensible,
like a good little girl. You don't
mean to say you'd cry for pair of
earringsr'
as Mrs. Mayrell's pretty olive face
frightened not at all at the pleasant
railiery.
''Much good will it do mel" she de-
clared sullenly, and intentedly regard
full of the toe of her slipper. Will
edged over to the sofa, sat down be-
side her.
''Dora"
"Well?"
'You don't look half so pretty
when you're cross"
Silence.
Will began to ask himself If he
hadn't made a tremendous mistake
about twelve months ago. Then he
banished the thought as disloyal. She
was 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 I 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 an hour later he
went back to the Office he left behind
him still very detected little lady.
He was not quite so gay as usual
that afternoon. He didn't joke so
audac1ously with the boys nor break
now and then into fitting whistle.
The man who had the desk next his
observed the change.
w DaL ) Tue rSCkSl, hdJ 1S1lS
Will started.
80, nothing!'' and he laughed and
shrugged his shoulders.
''That's a lie," returned Andrews
with calm directness, and the fan1ili-
arity born of long friendship. "Out
with it"
Will turned to him.
you've helped me out of 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 en- one side like al inauisitive
sparrow. maybe not, but try me-"
Will laughed with an air of EN-
barrassment.
''It seems foolish thing to worry
so about" apologetically. We'll, as
you must know, here's the case in a
nutshell. Dora wants diamond ear
rings, and I could quite as easily pur-
chase for her the Worlds fair with the
Great Eastern thrown IN. Now you
know"
Andrews rubbed his chin aud
nodded.
"Yes. I know" dryly. 81 know
women, at least / know one woman,
and I guess they are all pretty much
alike. I'm engaged"
'tNoin cried Will.
S'Fact. Got to get rich first. Do
mestic happiness indefinitely post
poned. just bought the ring" fumbl-
ing in his vest pocket. "Yeu may
look at it and get an idea for your
wife's solitalres."