Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-08-23
BERTHA OLt TOH'S TRIUMPH,
THE HISTORY or AN OPAL RING.
CHATTER L

most disagTeeable qualities. The sky
was covered with one continuous gray
cloud, the streets were muddy, the rain
dripped from the doorWays and the
over-hanging cornices of the shop
fronts, making pools in the inequalities
of the flags. The policemen looked
drenched notwithstanding their water
proof capes, and from each umbrella
carried by the few pedestrians whom
necessity compelled to be abroad ran
small cascades. 1t was steady, deter
mined rain, which might to all appear
ance continue for week without stop
ping.
A young lady turned at the corner Of
street, and held up her finger as she
saw an omnibus approaching. The
driver observed the signal and drew up.
There was just room for one. The
young lady took the vacant seat next
the door, and the omnibus ratified on.
She was a slight, fair girl of about
tW0-and-tWer y years Of age, with soft,
hazel eyes and light brown hair. There
was nothing very striking about her
face; her complexion was pale, and her
features, though delicate, were not suf-
iicientiy regular to be called handsome.
There was downward curve about
the lips. and slight contraction about
the well-develOped brow, which betOk-
ened sadness or perhaps WEAKNESS. and
her head dropped slightly, as a flower
does when the dew is heavy upon it.
She was plainly dressed in a dark blue
serge and black hat, and had wrapped
about her large gray wooden shawl
with = heavy fringe.
She glanced listlcssly at her fellow
passengers, her eyes resting at last up
on the person who sat opposite to her.
He was an understood man, with a
sWarthy complexion, and dark hair that
twisted itself into little cOrkscreW ring
let's; his nose was narrow and aqui-
line, his thin and wide lips were never
still for an instant, his eyes were small
and black. and placed too near together.
lie had neither beard nor mOuStache,
though he could scarcely be called clean
shaved, as the black stubbe on his face
appeared of several days growth. lie
wore a brown great-cOat with fur col
lar, but the fur was considerably rub
bed about the neck, and one of the but
tons of the coat hung loose. His black
gloves were out at the fingers, and his
hat, too, had seen better days. He pre-
scented altogether a "seedy' appearance,
but affected TO carry it off jauntily.
The young lady, much given to spec
ulatOn as to the character of those
whom chance threw in her way set him
down as an adventureT, not oyer-scrup-
IllOus probably, and began to wonder
what crrand he was then bent upon
moralZing at the same time upon the
little benefit such people appear to de-
rive from their schemes, which must
often cost them more time and labor
than earning money III an honest way.
Presently one of the little mans
hands dIyCd into n SidC-pOcket, and
drew out a pocket-book; then it dived
again for pencil; and this proving to
be without a point, he brought ont
knife to cut ii, first pulling off his
gloves. The young lady then noticed
that he wore what appeared to be a very
valuable antique ring upon the little
iugCr OF his not OVCr-CIcan brown hand.
The central stone of the ring was "A
splendid opal, several other small gems
being set round it, 1t was a remark
able ring zone which, having been once
seen, could easily be recognized again.
The little man, after looking over his
p0cltCt-hook, took out a paper, and
made memorandum; and then, glanC-
ing through the dOor-WindoW Of the
omnibus, he began hastily to put up his
book. While cIasping it, his umbrella,
which he had held between his knees,
fell forward against the young Iady's
dress.
Pardon" he said, in foreign ac-
cent, stretching out his hand for the
umbrella.
But il had caught in the heavy fringe
of the shawl. The young lady was go
ing to CNtrlCate it, but the man was too
quick for hcr-his fingers must have
been accustomed 10 nimhle work. lie
hailed the conductor, and, snatChng up
his gloves, got out. The young lady
had the curiosity to look after him, to
see where hC was going. He did not
put up his umbrella but ran quickly
across the street, and rang the bell at
the private door of large china. and
glass shop She did not discover
whether hO was admitted for the omni-
bus rolled on and she lost sight of him.
1t grew rapidly dark; the rain came
down rs fast as ever as the omnibus
stopped ut its destination and the
young lady descended She had then n
walk of about ten minutes. She hur-
ricd along, the wind blowing in gusts
which made it difficult for her to shelter
herself under her umbrella. After con-
tnung for hundred yards along the
road, she turned down narrow lane
Leading to a news. A little way further
on door was let into a wall. Here she
stopped, and, drawing out latch-key,
opened the door, and crossed small
paved courtyard. From this another
door, opening with a latch, led to pas
sage, on one side of which was a kitCh-
en-, at the end Il staircase, and opposite
the kitchen another door, through
which the young lady entered.
Here the scene suddenly changed. A
pleasant hOme-piCture presented itself,
forming a contrast to the wet, gloomy
evening ont of doors. A cheerful fire
htaZed III the crate. Crimson curtains
We're drawn across the one window, and
lamp ON the table dimly showed some
fine cugrayingS on the walls, and moro
WILDLY the damask tahlC-Cloth and the
tray with its pretty china-while the
Kettle singing on the fire, loaf on n
wooden platter, n cold ham, and a glass
plate of preserve beside the buttcr-dish
betokened preparations for needful re-
freShmeut.
Before the tca-tray sat fair, comely
dame of about tiyC-and-fOrty. her cheeks
still blooming, her hair glossy and lux
urlant; and on n stool before the fire
younger lady had placed herself, one
not far removed from giTlhOod.
on are late, BERTHA said the fair
matron, rs the newcomer entered.
Yes. mamma-late and wet and
tired Bertha returned. II will lust
20 and take OIL my things, and then [
Will tell you what | have been doing"
Make haste. said her mother-'Swe
have been waiting tea this half-hour.
fringe of your shawl?" she added, as
Bertha turned to leave the room.
Something that glittcrs?" questioned
Bertha, taking off her shawl to exam
inc it,
\ cry of surprise, almost Of alarm,
escaped her. There, hanging to the
fringe, was the opal ring She had OBJ
served on the finger of her opposite
nelghhor in tho omuibus.
She hastily discugaged it; it was in
truth the same that had attracted her
attention on the hand of her fellow
passenger.
"Oh, mamma. what is to be done?"
she cried, feeling for the moment as if
she ought instantly to start off in the
rain again to find the owner. "A man
Who sat opposite to me in the omnibus
had this ring on-I particularly noticed
II. Ills umbrella fell against my knee
just before he got out, and in taking it
up the ring must have caught What
had better dn?N
IOu needn't look so alarmed about
- .'r Young lady who had been
sftt'N~ heford ,ue ere, rlSmg ana gong
IuNard her sister To look at the ring;
You won't be accused of having stolen
it, | dare say"
The elder lady also rose-it was such
strange incident-QuIte exciting.
Let me look ut it,, she said; "and-
ar..T !.