The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-20

Sight. ana sat down again with u feeling
akin To disappointment. In ten moro min
utcS, however, was ut my own stopping
place, with my thoughts and steps both
homcward turned. The brightness of tho
evening and the lightncss of my heart
made my step quicker and moro elastic
than usual.
''Bubby, my dear" said gayly to my
wife when reached homo, addressing her
by u familiar nickname, "you know what
today Isl"
Our wedding day." was her quick re-
sponsc.
Yes, " said, returning her kiss, "and
l'vc got II littlc surprise for you in tho
shape of II small present to mark tho day"
knew it would DO welcome news
You dear creature, how kind of you'll"
exclaimed my wife, simply ciapping her
hands in delighted cxcitomcnt ~ am so
inquiSitivc already. Tell me- what is itp'
SEQ for yourself, said, handing her
tho bag and my bunch of keys at tho same
timc. Unlock tho bag and SEQ what it
cOntainSr'
1t was happy moment. 1 stood littlo
apart to watch tho expression of her faco
rs she picked out the key and pressed it
into tho lock, and ii over l felt proud of
any action of my own, did then. would
have Como miles for such an effect and al
though l knew that in tho purchase of
these trinkcts L had made ~ big hole in my
none too large banking account, felt that
WAS more than justified in mourning tho
expense.
"What arc you waiting for?" 1 asked
presently, us Bub5y seemed II long time
turning the key.
Il can't move it!' she replied after SOY
cral futile attempts to fit tho key into the
lock.
''Givo it to mo!' l said and took
bunch and bag from her.
How tircsomc! 1 supposed 1 was merry
Gus, or excited, or both. But whatever
the reason L was no moro successful than
she. wrigglcd and twisted until got
myself into u state of pcrspiration but all
to no purpose. Tho key wouldn't perform
its office. 1t was either too big or too lit
tic, albeit it had always hitherto fitted
easily enough. l examined the bag. Yes,
that seemed all right, although it certain
~ did look triilo moro shabby than had
imagined it to be-
There must be some dust in tho kcyl''
l said, after several futile attempts to turn
it. My wife Immediately produced pin
and we picked both lock and kew, but with
no better result.
This was annoying, to say tho least of
1t. Already my little surprise WAS robbed
of half its effect, and the cagcr look on my
wifcS face WAS getting tinged with dis;lp-
pointmcnt. But the thing should not be
wholly spoiled by such u trilling occur
renee. Tho present was in tho bag, and
hubby must have it ut once. 1t would
lose half its value by waiting. Tho only
course open under the circumstances was
To burst the bag open and this at once
proceeded TO do. Grasping it firmly in
both hands l gave two OF three sharp
wrcnchcS and with u jerk it came asiindcr
SAW IN II moment ii was not mine! NV
railway companion had evidently taken
my bag in mistake for his own, and l. of
course, had got his. 1t WAS an unfortunate
error, anyhow, and might take days to
rcctify.
OF course l had TO tell my wife all about
my companion of the railway carriage in
order that she might understand how tho
mistake occurred, and rs l recountcd to
her what | could AT the moment remember
OF the conversation which had so fascinat-
cd me and won my attachment to the en-
tcrtaining stranger Bubby's face lit IN
with unwontcd interest, and moro than
ever regretted not carrying out my half
formed intention of asking him home.
As | spoke l rccollcctcd about tho Jewels
and wondered what tho owners feelings
would he on discovering his loss The
awkward part of tho affair was that, al
though had told tho gentleman IL good
deal of my private affairs, | had not dis
closed to him either my name or address,
| nor had Eo impaired his to me- therefore
| the idea Of direct communication co,ild
| not be entertained. What would he best
| to do hardly knew.
Bubby's womnnly interest in the Jewels
| was naturally great, ana as my curiosity
| was also considerably aroused we decided
hat Il
have look AT them. We began to do so mt
| once. At the top was quantity of paper
which we carefully removed and unfoldcd
| fearful lest valuable diamond should roll
| out unhccdutl. Nothing OF this kind, how
| ever, occurred. and we went on eagerly
searching until, right at the bottom of tho
| bag, we came upon the yaliablcs They
| consisted Of Il small band chiscl, "a coil of
| stout rope, several skeleton keys and a
| box of silent matches
Will not attempt TO describe nv feel
| ings. II was quito Unnecessary to tell me
| that had been nicely robbed and that my
| entertaining fellow traveller was q bcaatly
| fraud and his go, 900 worth Of jcwclry IL
dctcstablc myth. am afraid l looked as
! small us [ felt.
Bubby could not resist smile at my
detected appearance
This Is indeed IL SURPRISE" she said,
trying to put cheerful aspect on the nf-
| fair But never mind, dearest" she add
ed kindly, ''try TO forget AL about it, and
Will promise not To be disappointed. 1
need no present save YOURSELF
L kissed her for her goodness of heart,
but felt that could never forgive myself
| for being taken in so casily.-rit- Bits.
Jefferson Davis Senate Desk.