Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-27
completely 'nabbergasted" me. Ny two fall

had and Immediately, and the nearest pawnbroker
n HHss Ve sought. summoning all my histrionic
p oMeI SWmcn mas been pronounced in amateur
circles CONSIDERABLY / observed, with a sudden
sCdit OF reconection. that to my great annoyance
ndu an oulclal appointment at the Office, and "bus-
mess Is business, dear Mabel" said, which was
. sentiment peculiarly Ineligible 10 the heir
ess OF Uncle Plumley. 50 she graciously ap-
proved OF my short absence, and hurried out, fol-
lowed Dy the not unsnspicous glance OF the man.
ager, only treasured by glancing at the rich
attire and placid contentment OF the two ladies
ieit AT the table. once out OF the restaurant,
ported az headlong speed down side street, where
esped the familiar three golden balls. resolved
IA my MIND, as hurried along the feasibility OF
raising the required amount on my watch and
chain, but reflected that Its absence would be i'm
mediately detected The only available resource
my glove, until / redeemed the gem, to conceal
from Mabel's eyes the absence OF her gift. got
n IS pounds on the ring, and with tue money and
with fruit. Clearly Mabel was not a woman tC
i've on bread and cheese and kisses.
"How quick you've been, Fred" she observed.
could be long away from you, darling7" said
/, passlonately, carefully keeping my gloves on
and hoping her brilliant eyes-which were deuced
sharp-wouid not note the absence OF the raised
circle under the Kid. paid the bill and We started
for another exhibition after which, TO my intenSe
relief, took the pair 10 Waterloo and saw them
due at a whist party at EverJon's, and resolving
to postpone the Tedeemins OF my ring and intent
on winning the oliver" for that purpose, set OF
for his lodgings, where found several fellows and
Evert0n liz high feather.
''Hang whist he exclaimed, "we'1 play 1oo," to
which there was a chorus OF assent; 'the night
Is young and drink Is plenty" he continued, and
there was an array OF beverages Mt for Gargan-
tuan threats. SO, after a preliminary nquortng
up, we began TO play, and the game went on into
the small hours with varying fortune, most OF us
certainly having more than was good for us. Luck
ran for some time In my favor, then turned, and
found myself In somewhat hazy condition,
scrawling U Us. However, TO my great relief 1t
, ,u1,nsS again ana my US were handed back
fair winner, but Individually half-seas over. How
ever, got hanson, paid double fare. and some
how got up stairs and into bed, virtuousy resolv-
Ing the first thing In the morning TO redeem my
ring.
But when morning came a splitting headache
allowed me only To send message Of excuse to
noon. when. aIS re- %Sen Soda wac ~ cra ~sd
seediest OF wretches, TO the pawnbrokers.
~ want my opal ring" said l, and Iels in my
pocket, tut no ticket was there.
~ don't wonder You you cant fnd it," said the
ly, flor 1t was taken out by young woman this
morning at o'clock"
what" shrieked, and stormed, and raved,
vOwing was robbed. But for the life OF me
couldn't recOilect when last saw The ticket and
tue pawnGroker phlegmaticaIly remarked that my
only course was 10 advertise IT or inform the
police Both courses, considering my position and
Mabel's ideas, were equally out OF the question
and curslng at large went home to consider what
on earth was the best course to pursue.
That evening Everton and some fellows came
to my place ciamOring for revenge, out / was In
no humOr Tor cards and company, and gave them
SO inhospitable reception that they All with
drew, except EvertOn, who pressed me as to the
cause OF my being SO down In the mouth" as he
expressed It. But even TO him was not going to
cOnfde SO momeutous a secret, and he, TOO. took
himself on. advising me TO take liver pill. MO-
rosely went To bed and lay awake, wondering
what the deuce Mabel would say / began TO sur
mise she could say good deal II she chose and l
dreamed Of pawnshops all night.
OF despair. Fortunately Mabe staid on in the
Isle OF Wight, and so the evil day was postDoned
was invited to garden party at the Belts charm
Richmond \
tlOn nlrted much Win Geraldine, and was GER
talnly becoming very demonstratiye when Ever
Jon 1unsea up, LOOKING not particularly pleased
turned away somewhat huffed as the pair entered
into conversation, and-found myself face TO face
''Ah, Fred!" she SAID with her most charming
smile, Il thought this would be nice surprise for
you, so wouldn't tell you, as heard you were
here, that aunt and were coming 10 town yester
day. ~ ''''0'
.'lt is indeed a delightful surprise, darling
sad s- with an Effort and pulled on my gloves with
IeVerlsh haste as she TOOK my arm.
why, you look worried, DEAR" said my charmer
sympathetically; "what Is IL? The business of
is a wee bit about my being away?" '''A ~
plunged into the usaal ana aeq the He
hungry, so went to the refreshment tent and
supplied her with her favorite dainties
why oont you take on those new gray gloves?"
man"
burst into cold perspiration. 'T-I-its such
bother to get them on again." stammered; but
Mabel was too intent on her plate, In her usual
dainty but determined fashion, TO pay much at
tentton.
Presently she said: sYou mustn't monono,,za
me, Fred, for there are some old friends here.n
And only TOO willingly parted company with her
for the time, and stroled by the river to collect
my scattered thoughts, where, in q secluded cor
ner, Geraldine sat absently toying with some
flowers CHANGING at her ungloved hand started
as II thunderstruck. On her finger CLEANED my
stared at Geraldine's pretty white hands as II
they held Medusa's head. She looked at me in
surprise: what are you looking at, Mr. Willsley?p
she said, and !, who, didn't dare explain muir
INJURED that was admiring the flowers. "You can
Lave one II you like" she said coquettishly, and
gave me magnificent rosebud, which act, by the
way, was seen by Mabel who passed on the arm
OF, staggering light cavalry captain However,
she only smiled indulgently, as one who W as con-
hdent OF her own solid attractions, as indeed she
In short time some other people came nm.
among them DICK EvertOn. who seemed sulky
Il wish had o pipe and a pint Of Bass on tGe
river, That would be worth all these ggging girls
and risky matrOns.-
you're not impressionable Dick.
"No," said he with unnecessary earnestness:
"donr imagine Pm In love with anybody or likely
10 be. BY the way, how drunk you were the other
night, Cd man-youye never given me my re-
venge."
''iang the other night" / said bitterly: 81 wish
I'd never come 10 your place"
"Well, perhaps might say that be said dryly
seeing now You Cleaned me out" and turned
away somewhat annoyed passing Geraldine as II
she we're the most ordinary OF her SEX
My annoyances all came back. 1 went on to
the strawberries, lay down on the turf In solitude
pulled OF my tight gloves and INDUCED In the
luxury OF cigarette. AS smoked In q some what
serener mood the JrOu frou OF dress as heard an
round the turn came Mabel alone.
"Why, Fred" she exclaimed, ~ was looking
every where Tor you" and glancing at me sharply
she added, why, Fred, where Is Iny opal ring?"
L hesitated; should / tell the truth? No; her
horror AT iIpecuniOsity and the mere name OF
pawnshOp would efectually DESTROY my chances
must teInporiZe. changed color under her Keen
eyes. "l-l-have lert 1t AT home, dearest; forgot
IT."
She pouted. "NOt much OF q compliment to me-
sir; you told me you would always wear It,"
Fortunately just then lot OF her acqualntances
came up and surrounded her, and sneaked on TO
think over things in general, wandering about
Ike an outcast, and the chatter and music ON the
lawn making me savage. For some time thus
strolleo about, when Oh the other side OF a magnl-
hcent beech saw Mable talking TO Geraldine
Picture my feelings when heard my magnificent
hancee In quite different voice 10 any had pre-
Niously heard from her:
Excuse me, Miss Bell but-where did you get
that opal riug?"
shrank back, thinking might hear something.
i saw the lair face OF Geraldine crimson as she
said confuSedly.
"l-1-cannot tell you anything about it, Miss
bluShed again deeply.
Indeed" sneered Mabel, her eyes sparkling
Il Can guess who shares IL won't ask you any
more questions, Out, between her teeth, 81 Will