The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-08

shver" for that purpose, set on Tor DIS
lodgings, where found several fellows ana
Everton in high feather.
.sHang whist" he exclaimed, well play
loo 70 which there was chorus Of assent;
"tbe nights young and drink is plenty he
continued, and there was an array Of bever-
ages fit for Gargantusn throats. SO, after a
preliminary liquoring up, we began to play
and the same went on into tue small hours
with varying fortune, most OF us certainly
having more than was good for MS. Luck
ran for some time in my favor, then turned,
ard found myself in n somewhat hazy con
dition. scrawling o Us. However, to my
Great relief il turned again, and my q :
were handed back, followed by cash When
tho nlay ended | rose fair winner, but IN
dutitabiv half seas over. However, ! got a
hanson. paid double fare, and somehow got
No stairs and into bed, virtuously resolving
the first thing in the morning to redeem my
ring.
But when morning came splitting head
ace allowed me only to send message OF
excuse to the office and lie grooming in bed
till the afternoon, when after much SODA
water. crawled, seediest Of wretches, TO the
pawnbrokers.
Il want my opal ring" said |, and felt in
my pocket, but no ticket was there.
III don't wonder you cana find II, said the
smart Young man behind the counter, sar-
donically, "for il was takp out by young
woman this morning at . O'Clock"
"Whatr shrieked, and stormed and
raved. vowing was robbed. But for the
life Of me | couldn't recollect when last
saw the ticket, and the pawnbroker phleg
matically remarked that my only course was
10 advertise it or inform the police Both
courses. considering my position and Mabe4s
ideas. were equally out Of the question, and
cursing at large | went home to consider
what on earth Gas the best course 70 pursue.
That evening EyeFton and come fellow:
came to my place clamoring Tor revenge, bu.
! was in no humor for cards and company
aud gave them 50 inbospitable reception
that they all withdrew except Everton, who
pressed me as to the cause OF my being SC
''down in the mouth" as he expressed it.
But even to him was not going to conilde
so momentous "A secret, and be, too, took
himself off, advising me TO take liver phi
Morosely | went 10 bed and lay awake, won
dering what the deuce Mabel would say. !
began to surmise she could say good deal
il She chose, and dreamed Of pawnshops all
night.
Some days elapsed, and got into a dreamy
state Of despair. Fortunately Mabel staid
on in the Isle Of Wight and SO the evil day
was postponed | was invited TO a garden
party at the Bells charming place at Rich
mond. and went In desperation | nirted
much with Geraldine, and was certainly be-
coming very demonstratiye when Everton
loungcd up, looking not particularly pleased.
Geraldine Immediately became much colder
turned away somewhat huffed as the pair
entered into conversation, and-iound myself
face TO face with Mabel!
"Ah, Fred, she said with her most charm
ing smile. 81 thought this would be nice
surprise for you, so l wouldn't tell you, as
heard you were to he here, that aunt and ]
were coming TO town yesterday"
1T is indeed delightful surprise, dar-
ling | said with an effort, and pulled on my
gloves with feverish haste as she took my
arm.
"Why, you look worried, dear" said my
chaIrner alphabetically; what is i'll The
business Of the nation, | suppose archly,
"or may think it is wee bit about my
being awayf'
That's it, my pet said ardently, end
we plunged into the conversation usual under
the circumstances, after which she said she
was hungry, SO | went TO the retreshmeni
tent and supplied her with her fayorlie dain-
ties.
why don't you take off those new gray
clovesr she said You'll spoil them, You
extravagant man.
! burst into a cold perspiration. II
it's such bother to get them on again" !
stammered; but Mabel was too intent on her
plate, in her usual dainty but determined
fashion, 10 pay much attention.
Presently she said "You mustn't monop
ollie me- Fred, for there arc Some old friend:
here And only too willingly ] parted
company with her for the time, and strOled
by tie river to collect my scattered thoughts,
where. in "A secluded corner, Geraldine sat
absently toying with some flowers. Glancing
at her ungloycd hand / started as II thunder
struck On her finger CLEANED my vanished
opal ring!
Y.
] stared at Geraldne's pretty white hands
rs il they held Medusas head. She looked
az re in surprise: What are you looking at
Mr. Willslcyr she said, and /, who didn't
dare explain, murmured that / was admir-
ing the flowers. You can have ono II you
like she said coquettishly, and gave me a
magnificent rosebud, which act, by the way
was seen by Mabel who passed on the arm II
a staggering light cavalry captain. How
ever, She only smiled indulgently, as one who
was confident Of her own solid attractions, as
indeed she might be.
In a short time some other people came up,
among them Dick Evertou, who seemed
sulky. "W hat bore tbs sort Of thing IS, a
lie erowled; II wish 1 had pipe aud "A pint
Of Bass on the river-that would b, worth all
these gigglng girls and frisky marons.'
You're not iInpressionable Dick
no said he, with unnecessary earnest
ness; don't imagine I'm in love With any
body, or likely 10 be. BY the way hcw drunk
you were the other night, Old man. You've
never given me my revenge"
d