Morning journal and courier., 1892-07-16

THE STORY OF AN OPAL.
Among gems the opal, either the precious
opal with its beautiful play of delicate
tints, or the fire opal with heart of flame,
seems to be gaining most in popularity.
Ages ago the opal was supposed to pos
sess peculiar virtues that gained for it's
wearer the favor both of gods and men.
Then, for some unknown reason, it fell
into disrepute and was believed to bring
with 1t curse instead of blessing. Dis
NAL tales are told of disaster and disgrace
endured by those who were bold enough
to defy its supernatural powers. An opal
ring alone could dispoil an estate, burn q
dwelling, squander a fortune or drown a
lover, in short, its occult influence was
exerted in manifold ways only to the
owners trouble, anguish, sorrow, smart
and shame"
Now this superstition is to take back
seat for while and the older fancy comes
into prominence, and, unafraid, we may
wear this daintiest of gems in brooch and
pendant and ring.
AS an offset to the many tales of woe
that long have clouded the glory of the
opal, and caused those who owned them to
bury them deep, deep in the earth, at the
dead O. the night, hiding the secret of their
sepulture from all human knowledge lest
dismal dole should overtake them, the fol
lowing story is told, and they who know il
to be true may vouch for it:
A charming young lady, not unknown
to New Haven's most exclusive circle, in
herited, not long since, from maternal
great-grandaunt, magnificent fire opal,
which had, years before, been given to the
great-grandaunt's fsther-in-lsw, then q
Yankee sailor lad, by an East Indian ra-
jahees (if that is the proper word
The lady, who, as the product of this en-
lightened age and a woman's college, feared
not to scoff at all superstitions, proudly
wore the opal, in its quaint setting of dull
red gold, upon her left index finger. She
had not worn it week before large mole,
which had dis6gured the shell-like pink
ness of her right ear, entirely disappeared.
In another week, a majestic black cat,
sleek as satin, and with orbs that scintil-
lated sometimes with emerald, sometimes
with chrysoberyl lights, insisted upon
domiciling himself in her home and
adopted her as his friend and ally. As
every one knows, this is sign of the great
est good fortune.
At the close of the third week. as the
lady seated herself in F. H. and w. street
CAE, Vu6 lace upOu ucf blccNc DcCdu0 GU
tangled with the tips of an umbrella be.
longing to gentleman who sat next to
her As every one knows, lace is the most
entangling of fabrics. and this point Gt
was Point de Gene) certainly lends an air
of verisimilitude to the tale. Now
these two had long been &C
quainted, and long had loved,
secretly, and almost hopelessly. Both
were timid, and the youth had feared tc
speak without a sign of encouragement
which the girl, even in Leap Year, had
feared to bestow. This was his opportuni
ty, and grandly he rose to meet it. Al
with trembling fingers he endeavored t.
disengage the lace from the umbrella tips
he whispered: ''I am attached to you.
''The attachment-is mutual" she faltered
With heart wildly beating and lips tina
quivered, he whispered again: "How may
replied: "As you wish me to constru,
yours" Then their hands met, the sun
light wrapped them in a golden splendor
the numbering car was to them as Love-
chariot, and even the driver, the conduc
tor, and the president of the road, beameG
upon them like benevolent genii.
Two weeks after the engagement wa
announced the young man was invited t
position of few responsibilities and larg,
emoluments, and the lady inherited {
cattle ranch in Texas. and better yet, ter
shares of Consolidated railroad stock
The wedding took place in June. Ac
cording to JOURNAL AND COURIER re
porter it was "the prettiest wedding of tn,
season, and the bridal gifts were boil
numerous and costly" Among them wa
letter of credit for three thousand dol
lars, and armed with this, the happy pal
sailed for Europe upon the Gloriosa, ar
irving safely after a most delightful
voyage. After this, who shall say tina
the opal is not regaining its ancient repu
tation as the jewel of good fortunea
HILARY.