The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-14

iIpih my sc'tt uHu pccrcu through tho car
rlago door, but tho man had Como out of
sight, and sat down again with fcoling
akin to disappointment. In ten moro min.
utcs, however, was at my own stopping
place, with my thoughts and steps both
homcward turned. Tho brightness of tho
evening and tho lightncss of my heart
made my step quicker and moro elastic
than usual.
"Bubby, my dear" said gayly to my
wife when reached home, addressing her
by u familiar nickname, "you know what
today is?''
"Our wedding day." was her quick re-
sponsc
Yes" said, returning her kiss, "and
I've got n littlo surprise for you in tho
shape of II small present to mark the day.
knew it would DO welcome news
You dear creature, how kind of your'
exclaimed my wife, simply capping her
hands in delighted excitement Il am SO
inquisitivc already. Tell me, what is it?''
See for yourself, said, handing her
tho bag and my bunch of keys at the Same
time. Unlock the bag and SEQ what it
contains."
1t was happy moment. 1 stood littlc
npart to watch tho expression of her faco
rs she picked out the key and pressed it
into the lock, and if over | felt proud of
any action of my own, did then. 1 would
have gone miles for such an effect, and al
though L knew that in tho purchase of
these trinkcts had made II big hole in my
none too large banking account, felt that
L was moro than justified in mourning tho
expense.
What arc you waiting for?" 1 asked
presently, as Bub5y seemed long timo
turning the KEY
81 can't move itr' she replied, after scy-
Mt tnpt, tot
lock.
Give it to mel" 1 said, and took
bunch and bag from her.
How tircsomc! l supposed was merry
Gus, or excited, or both. But whatever
the reason, was no more successful than
she. L wrigglcd and twisted until got
myself into state of pcrspiration, but all
to no purpose. Tho key wouldn't perform
its Office. II was either too big or too lit
tie, albeit it had always hitherto fitted
easily enough. 1 examined the bag Yes,
that seemed all right, although it certain
~ did look n tri1c more shabby than had
imagined it to he.
There must be some dust in the key!"
1 said, after several futile attempts to turn
It, My wife Immediately produced Il pin
and we picked both lock and kew, but with
no better result
This was annoying, to say tho least OF
it, Already my little surprise was robbed
OF half its effect, and tho eager look on INV
wifc's face was getting tingcd with tlisap-
polntmcnt. But the thing should not be
wholly spoiled by such II trfing occus-
renee. The present was in the bag and
Bubby must have it mt once 1t would
lose half its value by waiting Tho only
course open under the circumstances was
to burst the bag open and this l at once
proceeded to do. Grasping it firmly in
Doth hands | gave two or three sharp
"rcnchcS and with II jerk it came asundcr
l saw III II moment it was not mine! NV
railway companion had evidently taken
my bag iii mistake for his own, and !, of
course, had got his. Itwas an unfortunate
error, anyhow, and might take DAYS 70
rcctify.
OF course had TO tell my wife all about
my companion of the railway carriage in
order that sho might understand how the
mistake occurred, and rs l rccountcd to
hor what I could at the moment remember
OF the conversation which had so fascinat-
cd mo and won my attachment to the en-
PERTAINING stranger Bubby's face lit up
with unwontcd interest, and moro than
ever regretted not carrying out my half
formed intention of asking him home.
AS spoke rccollcctcd about tho Jewels
and wondered what tho owners feelings
would he on discovering his loss. Tho
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 no impaired his to me, therefore
the idea Of direct communication could
not be entertained. What would DO best
to do hardly knew.
l}ubby's womanly interest in tho Jewels
was naturally great, and as nv curiosity
was also considerably aroused wo decided
that wo would empty the bag in order TO
hnvc look at them. We began to do so mt
once. AT the top was II quantity of paper
which we carefully removed and unfoldcd
fearful lest available diamond should roll
OUT unhecd1d. 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 vuluablcs They
consisted of u small hand chiscl "a coil of
stout rope, several skeleton keys and a
box of silent matches.
Will not attempt 10 describe my feel
lnEs. 1t was quite unnecessary to tell mo
that had been nicely robbed, and that my
entertaining fellow traveller was n Density
fraud and his $40 900 worth of jowclry n
dctcstablc myth. l am afraid looked as
small as felt
Bubby could not resist smile at nv
detected appearance.
This is indeed surprise, she said,
trying TO put cheerful aspect on tho af-
fair. But never mind, dearest" she add
cd kindly, try TO forget all about it, and
will promise not TO be disappointed. L
need no present save yourself"
kissed her for her goodness of heart,
hut felt that l could never forgive mysclf
for being taken in so caSjly.-Tit- Bits.
Unjust Fate.