Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-10-14
A REFLECTION
By WILLIAM BUCKLEY.

FELT like Cortez upon a memorable
occasion when the jewelers. glas:
door swung behind me. and, marching
up TO the counter, | asked for ring.
A ring. sir?" said the attendant, q
COclney TO his finger tips. what sort
of ring?"
IAN engagement ring" said |, valor-
ously.
what size, sir?" demanded the man,
, docketing me mentally.
Five and half" replied, thinking
of the glove.
''That's rather an unusual size, he re-
marked, rubbing one eyebrow, unless
it's bangle the lady wants"
I'm not sure that she wants il at all, -
murmured, producing the little SAN
dalwood-scented bit of silk; but that
is the size, / think"
"O-it's the size Of the lady's and"
he observed with mild liberation, un-
rolling it. well, sir, ladies' fingers
vary in girth, and its more usual 10 fit
them with a piece of cardboard; but
We'll 90 our best"
Gould not the member be recon-
stituted?" asked impressively.
That knocked the conceit out of him;
he stared at me helplessly.
"Fill it with powder or something"
| explained.
1t took him five minutes self-discip-
line 10 grasp the startling novelty, but
he did, and, under my direction. filled
the third finger sheath with plate pow
der. which | rammcd home with my
pencil case. Then. producing a minia-
ture calIiper, he took measurements,
and began TO search his scintillating
stock. displaying reverent familiarity
most impressive to behold. Cleopatra.
how they dazzled Pearls, rubies, en-
eralds. aj"monds. each challenging the
admiration, Out checking the desire by
the narrow parchment slip attached set
ting forth the price. { 80, e 50. 600;
it was a charmed place. where money
lost its everyday significance. for what
man of spirit would be content To- offer
the cir! OF his heart a thing costing
miserable tenner when close beside il
twinkled a rose diamond worth wilder
ness Of monkeys" felt almost pau
perized, recollecting that had only & -
available from the Derby hundred.
Nov. sir. what do you think of this?
asked the shopman patronizingly. as
he displayed an opal changeful as the
sunlight on misty sea. It's
exact. the lady's size. making allow
ances, for Of course she won't want 10
wear it over 'er glove"
"Are not opals unlucky?" said I, en-
dearoring to decipher the price.
80. we don't hold with such super
stition." replied the ieweler. loftily,
but they do say one will keep you from
being poisoned"
Then shall leave it for the next rich T
widow" l answered. But what is the 7.
cost of this?"
| alluded to an emerald set amid
pearls which | already saw glittering on
the loyelicst hand in the world. He ex-
tracted il with a silent respect he bor-
rowed from my eagerness, and made
while | watched him. nv
heart beating madly. The size was ex-
lctly the same the price-but that is a
ietail. / decided upon il. The shop
man thanked me perfunctorily, and I
leaned against the counter, feeling like
)ne who had received a great favor.
But when / fumbled in my pocket for
he notes and heard their crisp crackle.
ny confidence returned, and then as
the splendid thing flashing in
Is violet bed believed must after all
De rich man, unknown to myself. so
treat was the suggestion of unlimited
wealth thus conveyed.
IL should like piece of glass on the
inside of the case lid" observed, care
essly. "Is ii usual?"
That's looking CLASP" queried the
apidary. glancing up from surrepti-
ious examination of the notes.
j nodded. | knew / must be getting
ed
Well" he remarked tolerantly, "it's
ot exactly usual, but it's pretty idea
-ightens the attraction of the gem.
makes the lady see the prese nj from two
'oints Of view
Hardly an advantage sometimes"
deserved; "but can you do ii ?'
"Well, yes, should think" he replied
Then get IL done. and | shall stand
be racket" answered, magn ificently.
He hurried away 10 effect the altera-
on, his place being taken by bald ,
eadsd salesman who wore spectacles,
nd talked TO me over them soothngly.
5 one would to a person OF weak intel ,
'ct. while ! formulated pra;ical 8
rhemes, and asked him puerilc ques- ,