The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-07

akin to disappointment. LII ten more mill
utes, however, was at my own stopping
place, with my thoughts and steps both
homeward turned The brightness of the
evening and tho lightness Of my heart
made my step quicker and more elastic
than usual
Chubby, my dear" said gayly to my
wife when reached home, addressing her
by familiar nickname 'you know what
today isP''
"Our wedding day." was her quick re-
ponse s.
eyes, said, returning her kiss, "and
I've got littlo surprise for you in the
shape of small present to mark the day.
knew it would be welcome news.
"You dear creature, how kind of you'll"
exclaimed my wife, simply ciapping her
hands in delighted Excitement. II am SO
inquisitive already. Tell me, what is ltf''
"See for yourself, - said, handing her
the bag and my bunch of keys at the same
time UNLOCK the bag and see what 1t
containsW
1t was happy moment. 1 stood little
apart to watch the expression of her face
as she picked ous the key and pressed it
into the lock, ant. # ever 1 felt proud of
any action of my own, did then. would
though I knew that in the purchase of
these trinkets had made a big hole in my
none too large banking account, felt that
was more than justified in mourning the
expense.
"What are you waiting for?'' asked
presently, as Bubby seemed long time
turning the key.
81 can't move it'll" she replied, after sew
eral futile attempts to fit the key into the
lock.
"Give it to me!'' I said, and took
bunch and bag from her.
How tiresomel I supposed was nery-
GUS, OF excited or both. But whatever
the reason was no more successful than
she. I wriggled and twisted until I got
myself into state of perspiration, but all
to no purpose The key wouldn't perform
Its office. 1t was either too big or too lit
tie, albeit it had always hitherto fitted
easily enough I examined the bag. Yes,
that seemed al right, although it certain
ly did look trife more shabby than had
imagined it to be-
"There must be some dust in the key!'
said, after several futile attempts to turn
1t. My wife Immediately produced pin
and we picked both lock and key, but with
no better result.
This was annoying, to say the least OF
1t. Already my little surprise was robbed
of half its effect and the eager look on my
wife's face was getting tinge1 with disap-
pointment. But the thing should not be
wholly spoiled by such a trifing occur
renee. The present was in the bag, and
Bubby must have it at once 1t would
lose half it's value by waiting. The only
course open under the circumstances was
to burst the bag open and this at once
proceeded to do. Grasping 1t firmly IN
both hands l gave two or three sharp
wrenches and with jerk 1t came asunder.
I saw in a moment it was not mine My
railway companion had evidently taken
my bag il mistake for his own, and l, OF
course, had got his 1t was an unfortunate
error, anyhow, and might take days to
rectify.
OF course had to tell my wife all about
my companion of the railway carriage tn
order that she might understand how the
mistake occurred, and as I recountec to
her what could at the moment remember
Of the conversation which had SO fascinat-
ed me and won my attachment to the en-
tertaining stranger Bubby's face lit up
with unwonted interest, and more than
ever regretted not carrying out my half
formed intention Of asking him home
AS spoke recollected about the jewels
and wondered what the owners feelings
would be on discovering his loss. The
awkward part of the affair was that, al
though had told the gentleman good
deal Of my private affairs, had not dis
closed to him either my name or address,
nor had he impaired his to me, therefore
the idea of direct communication could
not be entertained. What would be best
to do hardly knew.
Bubby's womanly interest in the jewels
was naturally great, and as my curiosity
was also considerably aroused we decided
that we would empty the bag In order to
have look at them. We began to do so at
once. At the top was quantity of paper,
which we carefully removed and unfolded,
fearful lest valuable diamond should roll
out unheeded. Nothing Of this kind, how
ever, occurred, and we went on eagerly
searching until, right at the bottom Of the
bag, we came upon the valuabieS They
consisted of a small hand chisel, coil Of
stout rope several skeleton keys and a
box Of silent matches.
I will not attempt to describe my feel
tngs. 1t was quite unnecessary to tell me
that had been nicely robbed, and that my
entertaining fellow traveller was a beastly
fraud and his a10 900 worth of jewelry
aetestable myth. I am afraid looked as
small as felt.
Bubby could not resist a smile at my
detected appearance.
'This is indeed SURPRISE" she said,
trying to put cheerful aspect on the Of
fair. "But never mind, dearest, I" she add
ed kindly, try to forget all about it, and
/ will promise not to be disappointed. /
need no present save yourself"
kissed her for her goodness of heart,
but felt that could never forgive myself
for being taken in so easily.-Tit- Bits.
Jefferson Davis Senate Desk.