The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-10-16

golden light. A pair of emerald ear
rings, exquisitively set, and the hand
soonest I had ever seen. was some
what OF judge, too, for in bygone
days, when fortune smiled on me,
many rare gems found a place in my
jewel casket.
But those days were part of the
irrevocable, past, and instead of liv-
ing a gay life in stately home, with
an indulgent father to crafty every
wish, / Mildred Heath, was now q
handwriting little teacher in a
crowded city school. A stuffy little
room, third floor back, in Mrs. Will
sons. shabby clearinghouse, I called
"home." No one knew how longed
for some of the old pleasures to help
brighten the dull days that were now
filled with monotonous labor; how l
envied gay young girls as they rolled
by in their carriages, laughing and
chatting; or how the florists windows
tempted me with their wealth of
beautiful blossoms, bringing to my
mind so wildly the fragrant conser-
vatories at my dear old home.
But after months of such useless
replnings | had forced myself into a
more contented frame OF mind, and
was at peace with myself and the
world, until one unlucky day, in
Fastening through side street to
reach home before threatened storm,
| suddenly stopped before a dingy
pawnbroker's window, where, sur
rounded by odds and ends of all sorts,
reposed the emerald earrings described
in the beginning of my story. How
they lighted up that dull window with
their soft, shimmering radiance! And
at the first sight there came to me an
overwhelming desire to possess them.
All the restrained longing for that
which was dainty, bright and beauti-
full, broke forth afresh; and not until
the fast falling drops of rain reminded
me that was still some distance from
home did turn away from the win
dow.
That night I dreamed l was teach
ing school in Africa, and the natives
were pelting me with huge emeralds.
The next morning again turned in
to the little street to feast my eyes on
the beauty of those Jewels. The
following day, before starting for
school, / counted over my little hoard
of savings. Twenty-Five dollars.
ooh, dear! that will never buy
them," l said dejectedly.
Nevertheless, tucked the money in
to my purse and FASTENED to school.
Not until evening did 1 find myselffree,
and then I fairly flew into that little
side street. holding my breath as I
drew near the pawnbroker's window,
tor fear the white velvet case and its
contents would be missing. But 10
they were still there, looking if pos
sible more beautiful than ever. And
proving myself ne exception to the
old adage, "She who hesitates is lost"
quickly entered the shop and asked
to see the earrings.
The proprietor, q greasy, unprepos-
sessing looking individual, placed them
before me, expatiating on their beauty
in his smooth oily way.
" nav 10 oAc price vi OllcSc! dSAcO
breaking in on his volubility.
''Thirty-fve dollars and they are
cheap at that, miss"
Eyes, know; but that is more than
can pay" I said falteringly, and
scarcely able to restrain my tears, l
turned slowly away.
"Wait bit, miss" he called after
me. 'Now what will you give me for
the lovely gems?"
II have just twenty-five dollars"
said, "and l really ought not to spend
so much for jewelry."
"Butit is great bargain" he said
hastily, and as he saw me put away my
purse he added: "Well, you take the
emeralds and I'll take the $25. It is
giving them away, really, but l have
not the customers in this quiet street
who would appreciate them" he add
ed in suave tones.