Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-01-07
HEARTS AND DIAMONDS.
By HILDA NEWMAN.
CHAPTER T

finger. She looked down upon it adj
miringly, then with one of her swift,
shy chances into Johns face. MAY
I wear it for little while ?'' she asked.
Though they were in the park, John
risked public opinion, and taking the
little hand in his, held it tightly for a
minute "You shall have it for good
some day, and 20 better ones,'' he said,
confidently. Meanwhile wear it as
long as you like, that is, till my old dad
comes to town, which will not be for
some time yet"
1T was very good of him to give it
to you"
Eyes, because he priced it, and al
ways wore it himself. But I wanted
no reward for passing an ordinary
exam. that heaps of other fellows get
through as a matter of course; besides,
don't care for jewelry. I'd just as
soon have had mug engraved with
a present for good boy shall only
wear it to please him, and you shall
wear it to please me-"
Elsa twisted the ring round and
round; it was too large even for her
middle finger. 81 shall have to wind
cotton round it to make it fit" she said,
refectively.
IT wish 1 dared have it made smaller
for you," said John, smiling at her
serious face, but till the old man
knows of our engagement shall have
to consider it mine. I should like to
think of it sparkling above Smithson
and Scarpley's typewriter every day,
and reminding you of me-"
handy what ho said
she was deep in thought and spoke
dreamily. 81 think it is the cruelest
thing in fate-to have expensive tastes
land no means to CRAFTY them"
That's something that can be con-
-quered," said John, cheerfully; there's
always a second best, you know"
''Ah, if I could only realize it-but
/ can't" Elsa answered, despondently.
~'And here is a case in point: Mrs.
Ponder gave me an awful brooch on my
birthday-bogus Jewels mounted in
brass. Il never give a mean present.
she said, and anyone would take this
to be worth at least 6 40 I thanked
her, but 1 have never had the courage
to wear it. Had only been able to see
it with her eyes should have been de-
lighted with it."
"She meant WELL" said John, softly.
eyes, but wish it had been a pair of
gloves. And my gratitude for her good
ness evaporates with her reiteration of
it. 1 wish I did not owe her every
thing; wish she had not clothed, fed
and educated me, and put me in the way
of earning my living, for can't be
fond of her, though have tried. Some
times the mere sound of her voice mad
dens me, and I go to bed at eight to
escape from it, Even her interest in
my affairs irritates me- I must be
wicked and ungrateful, after all she
has done for me-"
mo, my dear girl, not wicked, but
~overworked, and suffering from nerves,
and consequently prone to exaggerate
trifies.'
80, John, she ought not to have had
me so well educated-we have not
taste in common. She would have been
happier with her niece, the grocer's
daughter"
"You must take more exercise, Elsa:
that typewriting is too much for you"
mo. it is not that; besides have the
daily walk, and I'm better away
from home. Then 1 must have some
money of my own can't come to Mrs.
Ponder for it, feeling as I do-and l
pay her as much as 1 can, and try to
make things last, but o! am so tired of
it ALI"
Johns healthy mind could not gauge
these fits of dependence. He saw no
reason for them. Why could not Else
work on sanguinely towards the future
as he did? She must have little faith in
him.
He gently pointed this out to her. but
she only shook her head, and leaned
back, closing her eyes. They sat in ST.
lence for awhile until the mood passed;
then Elsa rose, slowly drawing her
shabby little glove over the beautiful
ring.
"You, dear john" she said, impul-
gively, 81 don't need this to remind me
of you, because it is only the thought of
YOU and your perfect trust and patience
that makes my life endurable. But /
do think it lovely, and it will be a pleas
ure to wear it, though expect shall
often think of the things it could buy"
. John rose and drew her arm through
his, in his bourgeois fashion. at is
rather impossible, when you come to
think of it, he said, laughing, ito wear
a big diamond when you're hard up. 1
couldn't stand the temptation, you
know. I'm glad you've got it."
Mrs. Ponder prided herself on being
very outsOoken, but hers was the can |
dor of vulgarity that spares no ones |
feelings. least of all those of dependents. |
She also demanded. and could digest, |
an unstinted amount of praise, and, as
long as this was bestowed. was fairly |
syamiable person to live with. If Elsa |
could have borne with this most irri- |
tating of foibles she would have had |
comfortable home; for, though Mrs. |
Ponder mourned over her want of ten |
oerness and sympathy, she cherished |
u secret pride in Elsa's beauty and nice I
manners, which she attributed to her |
cwn influence in the girls training. |
But Elsa had not the tact of hypocrisy /
that helps SO many waits to claim lux
urious lives; she had the impatience of
intellect. and the stress of uncongenial /
companionship told on her and caused /
constant chickering's.
When John called late one afternoon /
to reclaim his ring, he found Mrs. Pom
der much aggrieved. An alteration |
had taken place in the morning in ref
erence to some chintz draPeries she had /
chosen that did not meet with Elsa's APP