Catoctin clarion., 1898-11-03
Two Wedding Rings.

Two Wc00lng h|NgS.
Early though it was, I had just heard
the whistle of the postman at tho door,
and leaned over the banisters to inquire
of my landlady if there were any letters
for me.
There was no immediate response to
my query, and inferred from the sus-
picious silence that either Mrs. Metcalfe
or her daughter was inspecting my leS
ters, probably reading the postcards, If
there were any.
That is very often popularity OF
landladies daughters, as people who
are compelled to board we'll know.
Again I asked:
Mrs. Metcalt, are there any letters
for me? expect letter of some i'm
portance.'
"Coming, sir-comingT replied
4tatilda, her daughter, as the latter
1 ,wly ascended the stairs, gazing very
terestedly at postcard,
In a few moments more she arrived
at the landing, on the second floor, and
gave me letter, two postcards and a
newspaper.
"I thought that you were inspecting
my correspondence said, sarcastic
ally.
"What! I? Oh, Mr.. Bolton, I would
never think of such thing And she
went downstairs, tossing her haad like
an enraged Shetland pony.
One card of my taylor to notify me
of his removal; on from Louis Durande
to tell me that he could not keep Ger.
tain engagement with me, and letter
from Percy Cresmer, who had warmed
his slipper at the same college fire with
ME scarcely three years ago.
His epistle ran thus.
Dear Belton-T claim your congratu.
lations: | am to be married next week
to the sweetest girl the sun ever shone
upon. There's surprise number one for
you. And I wish you'd 60 to Silver
man the ieweler. and get the wedding
ring, size inclosed on a bit of paper.
There's surprise number two. Ser
iously, old fellow, it will do me great
favor, for business matters here are COM
plicated in such way that l cannot
hope to get to the city day before the
event, and of course | know that l can
trust your tasle and judgment equally
with my own. Have the words "Heen,
1896" engraved on the inside, and
please send by post without delay.
Ever yours faithfully,
PERCYCREsMER.
P. S.-She is an angel.
"Well," said I to myself, laying down
my old chum's rapturous letter, here's
apretty commission for a bachelor. An
angel, is che? 7 don't believe she's any
more angelic than Pauline Brooks. But
every man thinks his own goose swan.
pity the poor fellow, I'm sure; he's
clearly In state of glamour that makes
him see everything oouleur dc roco.
But I'm not one to desert friend at
pinch,-I'll buy his miserable wedding
ring with the greatest pleasure in life
So I locked my desk, put on my over
coat, and went stralghtway to Silver
mans.
Jones was behind the counter.
knew Jones; had bought gold brace
let of him for Pauline Brooks six months
ago. Jones was dapper little fellow,
with stiffly waxed mustache, cameo
scarf pin and hair bedewed with some
ambrosial perfume or other.
Wedding rings, If you please" said
I. plunging at once into the object of
my visit. "Here's the size," producing
my slip of paper.
"Any inscription, sir?" questioned
Jones, assuming go preternaturally
knowing an aspect that | could cheer
fully have pitched him in among the
plated ware in the big glass showcase
behind him.
"Helen," slid I, brusquely, 1896"
Emma, sir?' Jones put his hand be.
hind his ear to assist his hearing
"Helen!' bawled, out painfully con.
scious that the eyes of the three pretty
girls who were at the counter beyond
were upon me.
pretty name," simpered Jones,
wrote down the order. ANY
particular style?'
Simple and solid," said I; "that's
ALL"
eyes sir. 1t shall be attended to at
once. Shall I send it to your residence
Or"
"I'll call for it tomorrow" said l.
Pardon me, Mr.. Belton," cried Mr..
SllYerman, who had overheard portion
of our colloquy, "but if it wouldn't be
taking liberty, might I inquire wheth-
er YOU intend to keen house or take