The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-17
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 The jewellers patience was ebbing rapidly. He did his very best to appear urbane, suave but his customers seemed determined to tax his powers of eniur- ance to their utmost limit. Tine lady had no idea what she wanted The gen tleman was merely there in the role of avmaster-whateve she bought he would indorse with dollars and cents He had no ideas of his own on the sub .iect and offered no advice
 What ever shall get said the fair customer presently, in accents of despair; declare if had thought that 1t would be So hard to choose an engagement ring, 1 would never have been engaged No, John, you needn't look at me in that manner. l repeat that l would never have been engaged
 The gentleman appeared vrXel at this display of feminine veXation; the jewell CT smiled and rose to the occasion. Rays of amusement struggled through the misty annoyance which had been clouding his genial countenance. II don't mind devoting half an hour to an explanation 1.-the significance of rings, he said, presently. "Of course l don't want to lose my time, you know
 It shall not be lost. interposed ! ohm, hastily. promise that l will buy a ring from you in any case. So kindly advise my wife that is to be upon the selection of 8 fitting one.
 With pleasure, said the iewcler, as he motioned his customers to seats. took one himself, opened case which scintil- lot .;tI, # ,,l. l rings, and cleared his throat with the caution of the would-be orator. Ring supcrstitions are as rife today as they ever have been, though no.one would dare to confess that he believed in them have scores of people come to my shop armed with an array of tacts-alleged facts, l should say-concerning precious stones which woHld fill an octave book without difficulty The other day lady and gentlemen came in They were in the same pleasant relations which ahem !-l am pleased to observe i'll my present customers" (The lady blushed and the gentleman looked blandly un- concerned)
 She was about to present him with ring which she insisted that he should accept He had declined several times upon the ground that it was not custo- mary for lady to present a gentleman with ring. But she was adamant. and he was forced to comply with her re- quest. It appears that he lived a very tllssipated life. and that she was quite aware of the fact She selected d sap phire ring from the case l showed to her. It was the only one there and she put it on his finger without any hcsita- ton.
 "' Wear that she said for my sake
 know what you mean, he said, coloring vividly and growing extremely indignant l know something about the meaning of rings and let me tell you, Estella, that do not appreciate the generosity which prompts you to offer me this.
 Wear it, she said hotly, or will break the engagement If you know what it means, so much the better If you do not, 1 shall never tell you-be quite sure of that Accept that ring l ask it as the very greatest favor you can do me They wrangled over the pur- chase great deal more, and both grew very angry. But 0 woman generally gets her own way, and when they left my shop he wore the ring on his fourth finger"
 What did she mean?" asked the lady customer, much interested
 Remember, l am only telling you this for-for recreation, stammered the jeweler. Don't imagine that I mean to insinuate anything A sapphire ring Is supposed to possess very great moral power No man would dare to wear one in any haunt of dissipation if he had any knowledge of the subject. Should he be indiscreet enough to do so. his action will at once be known to the one whom he holds dearest Now, you may sup pose that sensible people wouldn't be heve such a story. But they do--hun- dreds of them, can assure you The sapphire is also supposed to signify piety and godliness. In the olden times cler gymen were very partial to the stone. and it was considered quite appropriate for them to wear it in a ring Every one knows that opals are considered ex- ceedingly unlucky,' continued the jew eler. "I don't believe that superstition will ever be overcome" he said emphat- ically. " Ask any jeweler in New York City and he will tell you that he sells so few opals that his stock rarely contains but half & dozen Inever sell any, l tell you frankly and it is great pity, for in my opinion there is no more beautiful stone. People say that in time the taint will be forgotten. and that opals will be as popular as diamonds and pearls I don't believe it. Strange to say, the be- lief in the unluckiness of opals does not date from ancient times. The Greeks wore them in preference to any other stone"
 "I don't think I'll have an opal. John" said the lady customer clinging slightly to the gentleman's arm