River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-06-04
AFRAID OF BURGLARS.
The Queer Hiding-Plsce Of a Young Lady's
Jewels.

Jewels.
POSITIVELY had the funniest expert
ence of my life last night, remarked a
vivacious young woman to a party of
intimate friends at supper after the
play. mo, couldn't think of repeating
it; mamma might object, and, closing
her red lips firmly, the tantalizing crea-
ture refused to open them save TO admit
salad and ices. After some whispered
consultation. however, it was finally
decided the story would do to tell, and,
assuring herself they could never guess
the heroine's identity, the narrator be-
gan:
''You see, went way up town yes
terday TO dine and stay all night with
an elderly friend of mammals whose
husband had gone south. Thinking to
make il pleasanter for me, the lady
had invited another girl, quiet little
thing, who scarcely spoke, but was
charmingly gowned and wore more
splendid rings than / had ever seen to-
gether before. For some reason to us
was given ar apartment in common,
but even under the inspiration of
curl papers and toilet creams she re-
fused to talk freely. As girls will,
begged her to let me see and try on her
rings, praised their great beauty. sug-
gested that their value might make her
nervous, and asked what she did with
them at night The young thing STAN
mered and looked so embarrassed at
once changed the subject and thought
no more about it As the two men
here are my brothers | don't mind
mentioning the fact that nine out OF ten
of us take off shoes and stockings as a
first move toward retiring. did, and
padded about while my roommate
brushed her hair and teeth, read timid-
" from a tiny pocket testament, said
her prayers, and never unfastened one
button of her boots till turned the gas
out and jumped in under the covers
Then for fully five minutes heard her
fumbling at her shoes and a curious
climbing noise before we were settled to
repose. The strange bed, and being a
light sleeper, | remained awake long
after my companion set up gentle
snore; but such restlessnessi She
thrashed about from side to side,
plunged here and there, her feet fairly
dancing with uneasipess. Oddly enough,
with every movement some hard
substance struck the foot board,
scratching it so was tempted
to strike a match and discover the
cause. Finally did go off in a doze.
and knew nothing till sharp pain in
my ankle brought me to consciousness,
while the daylight flooded the room.
Then. so ridiculous was the picture be-
side me, ! went off into commissions of
laughter. in spite of my bleeding limb.
There lay my silent friend sound
asleep in her pretty lace-frilled night
dress, her yellow hair tumbled, checks
flushed. eEd, 10. sticking out below the
disordered bed clothes, two small, white
feet, with jewels sparkling on every
toe. BY actual count she had seven
rings on those short jointed digits,
marquise for the great toe, solitaire
next, and so on to tiny Gat's-eye wink
ing where the last pink one was stand
ing at painful angle from its fellows.
OF course my loud laughter walked her
at once, and with face crimson to the
roots of her hair she gave hasty glance
at her ridiculous extremities and, bury
ing her face in the pillow, burst into
tears. / grew sorry in moment, tried
to stop smiling, and begged thousand
pardons, while she explained. 1t aP-
pears her older sister had gone west in
a hunting party the day before and had
left the jewels in her charge, with many
injunctions for their safety. All that
evening while we thought her so quiet
she was studying the best means to pre-
serve them from any casual burglars,
had at last struck upon that novelty,
and hence the rings on her toes. Poor
little girl, she could scarcely get her
shoes on, so bruised and swollen were
her feet. A warm bath relieved the
pain, but | have been giggling at the
thought of that picture ever since.-N.
Y. Sun.