The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-02-01


rings, exquistively set, and the hand
soonest | had ever seen. was some
what OF Judge, too, for in bygone
days, when fortune smiled on me,
many rare gems found place in my
jewel casket.
But those days were part OF the
irrevocable, past, and instead OF liv-
ing gay life in a stately home, with
an indulgent father to crafty every
wish, | Mildred Heath, was now u
Woodworking little teacher in n
crowded city school. A stuffy little
room, third floor back, in Mrs. Will
sons shabby clearinghouse, | 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 |
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 snch useless
reprnings | 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 n side street to
reach home before threatened storm,
| suddenly stopped before a dingy
pawnbrokers window, where, sur
rounded by odds and ends fall 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
Mt the first sight there came to me al
overwhelming desire to possess them
All the restrained longing for that
which was dainty, bright and beauti,
ful, 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 dreamed 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 or
the beauty OF those Jewels The
following day, before starting foi
school, counted over my little HOARD
OF savings. Twenty-Five dollars.
ooh, dear! that will never buy
them, | said dejectedly.
Nevertheless, tucked the money in
to my purse and FASTENED to school
Not until evening did find myselffree
and then ] fairly flew into that littl,
side street, holding my breath as
drew near the pawnbrokers window
tor fear the white velvet case and it.
contents would be missing. But nc
they were still there, looking if pos
sible more beautiful than ever. AnC
proving myself no exception to tn,
old adage, "She who hesitates is lost, ,
| quickly entered the shop and asked
to see the earrings.
The proprietor, a greasy, unprepos
sesslng looking individual, placed then
before me, expatiating on their beauty
in his smooth oily way.
What is the price OF these?" asked
breaking in on his volubility.
"Thirtyfve dollars and they ar,
cheap at that, miss"
"Yes, know; but that's more thai
| can pay" | said falteringly, anC
scarcely able to restrain my tears,
turned slowly away.
"Wait bit, miss" he called afte,
me. Now what will you give me fol
the lovely gems?"
81 have just twenty Eve dollars"
said, "and really ought not to spent
SO much Tor jewelry"
BUTT is great bargain, he sale
hastily, anda he saw me put away my
purse he added: "Well, you take tn,
emeralds and I'll take the S25. 1t i!
giving them away, really, but | hav,
not thecustomers in this quiet street
who would appreciate them" he add
ed in suave tones.
Eagerly counted out the money
ana slipping the case into my pocket
hurried home. Had not been sc
delighted at getting my hearts desir,
might have thought it strange that
the pawnbroker wasso ready to part
with the jewels for SO much
less than their value. But nc
such thoughts troubled me. That
night | slept with the Jewels be
meath my pillow, and actually ARCS,
in the night and lighted the gas tc
look at them. All OF which was very
childish. | know.
The next day was Saturday, and
mad promised myself n treat-that o
attending the 10 wer CHOW IN nrnnras.