San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-26

SILVER" for that purpose, / set OF for his
lodgings, where l found several fellows and
Everton in high feather.
"Hang whist" he exclaimed, "weI play
loo" TO which there was chorus Of assent;
'the night is young and drink is plenty" he
continued, and there was an array of bever-
ages fit for Gargantuan Threats. So, after
preliminary liquoring up, we began to play,
and the same 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 a somewhat haZy con-
dition. scrawling o US. However, to my
great relief it turned again, and my o US
were handed back, followed by cash. When
the play ended rose a fair winner, but in
dubitably half seas over. However, | got
hanson, paid double fare, and somehow got
up stairs and into bed, virtuously resolving
the first thing in the morning to redeem my
ring.
But when morning came a splitting head
ache 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
pawnbroker's.
II want my opal ring" said l, and felt in
my pocket, but no ticket was there.
II don't wonder you can't find it," said the
smart young man behind the counter, sar-
donically, "for it was taken out by q young
woman this morning at o'clock"
"What!" l shrieked, and stormed and
raved, vowing | was robbed. But for the
life of me / couldn't recollect when last i
saw the ticket, and the pawnbroker phleg-
matically remarked that my only course was
to advertise it or inform the police Both
courses, considering my position and Mabels
ideas, were equally out of the question, and
cursing 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 clamoring for revenge, but
| was in no humor for cards and company,
and gave them so inhospitable a reception
that they all withdrew 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 confide
so momentous a secret, and he, too, took
himself Off, advising me to take liver pill.
Morosely went 10 bed and lay awake, Won
derng what the deuce Mabel would say. l
began to surmise she could say good deal
if she chose, and dreamed of pawnshops all
night.
Some days elapsed, and got into dreamy
state of despair. Fortunately Mabel stad
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 firted
much with Geraldine, and was certainly be-
coming very demonStrative when Everton
lounged up, looking not particularly pleased
Geraldine Immediately became much colder;
turned away somewhat huifed as the pair
entered into conversation, and-found myself
face to face with Mabel
"Ah, Fred" she said with her most charm
ing smile. Il thought this would be nice
surprise for you, so wouldn't tell you, as
heard you were to be hero, that aunt and I
we're coming to town yesterday"
1t is indeed a delightful surprise, dar-
ling" l said with an effort, and pulled on my
gloves with feverish haste as she took my
arm.
"Why, you look worried, DEAR" said my
charmer sympathetically; ''what is it? The
business of the nation, | suppose" archly,
''or may l think it is wee bit about my
being awayF'
That's it, my pet" said ardently, and
we plunged into the conversation usual under
the circumstances, after which she said she
was hungry, so l went to the rcfreshment
tent and supplied her with her favorite dain-
ties.
Why don't you take OF those new gray
glovesW she said. You'll spoil them, you
eXtravagant man."
burst into q cold perspiration. IL
it's such a bother to get them. on again." l
Stammered; but Mabel was too intent on her
plate, in her usual dainty but determined
fashion, to pay much attention.
Presently she said: you mustn't monop-
Ollie me, Fred, for there are some old friends
here" And only too willingly parted
company with her for the time, and strolled
by the river to collect my scattered thoughts,
where, in q secluded corner, Geraldine sat
absently toying with some flowers. CHANGING
at her unGloved hand started as if thunder
struck. On her finger cleaned my vanished
opal ring!
V,
stared at Geraldine's pretty white hands
as if they held Medusas head She looked
at me in surprise: What are you looking at,
Mr.. WillsleyW she said, and |, who didn't
dare explain, murmured that was admir-
ing the flowers you can have one if 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
q 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 q short time some other people came up,
among them Dick Everton, who seemed
sulky. "What bore this sort of thing is,n
he growled; 81 wish l had pipe and q pint
of Bass on the river-that would be worth all
these giggling girls and frisky matrons."