The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-14


! calm. That is why 1 hate opals-one
did that for friend of mine"
The young officer laughed gently.
''Fancy will do much-for a woman"
he said
'If you are going to laugh and fling
at our sex, / have done!" said Miss
Merton. Il can find better amusement
than being laughed at. in the ball
room.'
81 beg your pardon. will be very
good" he answered, contritely.
For few moments they walked on
silently, until they were at the furthest
end of the piazza. Then Miss Merton
began her story. Her voice was low
and musical, and ct first Lieut.. Phelps
who had long been beyond the sound
of any woman's voice whatever-was
content simply to listen to its smooth
flow. But she had only spoken few
words before he began to find her story
OF absorbing interest.
This OPAL" said Miss Merton, twas
he said he loved. The man believed in
the evil power of the stone. Now, sir,
you may laugh and have your fling at
u.s. He was afraid of it, but she was
not When he told her to choose, she
asked for that, and he gave it to her,
with many caution. If any harm
comes to it, harm will come to us, he
told her You must never let it be
upon the hand of another. for then that
one will come between US
''She promised. of course: but she was
young and careless, and did not much
believe IN looking at the serious side Of
life when there was brighter and bet
ter one 20 see.
The stone was very beautiful In its
depths it held all the glowing colors of
the furnace. 1t was changeable as the
chameleon. 1t fascinated me when
looked at it, but frightened me because
it was SO incoustant AS told you, my
friend was young. She had not yet
learned how very serious a matter life
is. The ring kept other men away
from her, curtailed her pleasures, her
freedom
Her companion began some protest,
but Miss Merton stopped him.
Yes; know what You are going to
say-that she should have reckoned
upon that-that she would not have
cared if she really loved him. But you
cannot change the nature of girl in
day. She found that the ring narrowed
her life, and So one day she put it
away"
If she was not willing to wear it,
she should have given il back TO the
map who gave it to her." SAID the lieu
tenant.
He would have misunderstood it"
said Miss Merton. He would have said
that she did not care for him-that she
had never loved him. that she had
played him false-and all the othernice
things men tell the women they love
whenever their point of view happens
TO be different So the poor girl did
what she thought was best, and laid
the ring away and me. him one night
without it upon her hand. | don't
know what ne said 10 her, but he was
SO brutal about it that the girls proud
spirit rebelled. as it should have done.
Then she brought the ring 20 me
-" Helen. she said. Il know You lore
me. ! can trust you He said that If
any other Wore it, that one would come
between us Now. l want to show him
how silly his superstition is / wan,
the ring: but do not want it 10 be nv
tyrant Take it and wear it tonight,
and let him see it on your hand And
Miss Merton's voice grew very SOFT
you won't come between Us, will you.
sweetheart?' she added. kissing me"
Miss Merton paused, and they both
stood silent and looked out upon the
sea- eathed in its glory of moonlight.
tor a long time The lady stole
glance at the mans face. 20 see IL he
took any interest in her story. Eat il
told no more than the great hotel in
whose shadow they stood.
When she rcsumcd her voice had
lost its -EAli~.r ..A>A..@. and s.d