The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-12-09
D0R0THY'S DIAMONDS.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

III HELEN fOhhEhI GRAVES
"You can'C be in earnest, Dotty !" said
Ralph Imray.
"But l am in earnest" protested
Dorothy, his wife. ''Why shouldn't
be in earnest2"
Mr.. Imray laid down the pen with
which he had been following long
column of figures. He was bank ac-
countant, and sometimes eked out his
small salary by bringing home the
books Of neighboring firms to post after
his regular days work was over.
He looked lntently at Dorothy. Nor
was she by any means disagreeable
object to behold, as she sat by the
shaded lamp, stitching away ut piece
of yellow China silk which emphasized
her purple.black masses of silky hair and
the jetty light of her long-lashed eyes.
Some people, to judge by appearances,
are born kitchen-maids; Others are
princesses. And Dorothy Imray, albeit
ber father was master carpenter and
her husband bank clerk, was one of
natures ristocrats-slim, taper fingered
and n-throated, with delicate COM
plexion and a profile that reminded one
of a Roman cameo.
"Why shouldn't you be in earnest2"
repeated Ralph. "Because, Dotty,
there's a fitness in all things. A poor
mans wife has no business to wear
diamonds."
"Nrfs. Clifford wears them !" petuant-
ly retorted Dorothy. "And job Cliff
ford doesn't get any higher salary than
you do"
"But her father is a man of means,
Dotty."
"And Luella Dixon has the loveliest
lace-barl She showed it to me yestcr-
day"
"Dixon and differ materially in our
financial ideas, observed Imray, shrug-
eing his shoulders. 'If man owes
money, l, for one, don't regard 1t as a
very smart thing for his wife to be
Haunting around in costly jewels. Come,
Dot, give up the idea. Twenty years
from now l may be able to give you
diamonds"
Dorothy pouted. She sewed away
with little, swift jerks of the needle.
"Twenty years from now l shall be an
old woman" she uttered.
Mr.. Imray laughed.
"I9l risk that" said he. "No, Dotty,
If my wife were to come out in a pair of
diamond earrings, my employers would
be quite justified in scrutinizing my ac-
counts. The topaz ornaments l gave
you at our wedding were good enough
for you then. Why can't you be con.
tented with them now2"
Dorothy answered not a word. The
needle seemed like a scimetar in the
lamplight; the rose.red lips were tightly
compressed; and Ralph resumed his pen,
with q sigh.
Dotty had "got into society" lately,
and the little home had never recovered
its pleasant old-time aspect since.
Mrs. Job Clifford and Luella Dixon
were her models now, instead of kind
Aunt Rhoda and the rectors pretty
young wife.
The next day Mrs. Dixon called,
dressed in fantastic combination suit,
with French hat, and real lace scarf
twisted loosely around her neck.
"Well, Dorothy" began she, "What
did he say?" Mrs. Imray's pretty face
gloomed over.
'Just what l expected" said she.
"of course he won't give me the dia.
monds. might have known that be-
forehand."
Don't be discouraged, DEAR" said
Mrs. Dixon, with furtive glance. al
can suggest a plan. Are we quite
alCne?"
Dorothy looked surprised.
Eyes, " said she. "Bridget has gone
to market, and there is no one else on
this floor"
Mrs. Dixon drew her chair close to
DoTothy's sofa.
"Listenl" she whispered. "How
much money have youl"
"Twenty dollars of my own," Dor
othy answered, "and forty that Ralph
left to pay the agent our rent. That's
sixty. And there's fifteen that Aunt
Rhoda sent me to match her old broc.
AIDED sillS with"
"Seventy- said Mrs. Dixon, ex.
ultingly. "Dorothy, you shall have
your diamondsw