Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-07-21
A REFLECTION
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEY.

l
T FELT like Cortez upon a memorable
occasion when the jewelers. glass
door swung behind me, and, marching
I'D TO the counter, l asked for a ring.
"a ring, sir" said the attendant, n
Cockuey TO his finger tips. What sort
of ring?"
"An engagement ring" said !, valor-
ously.
what Size, sirr' 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, "uniess
| it's o bangle the lady wants
! "I'm not sure that she wants it at-all, !"
l murmured, producing the little SAN
dalwood-scented bit Of silk; but that
is the size. think"
Otis the size of the lady's and"
| he observed with mild toleration, un-
rolling 1t. "Well, sir, ladies' fingers
vary In girth, crd It's more usual TO fit
| them with a piece of cardboard; but
we'll do our best"
Could not the member he recon
| stitutcd?" I-asked impressively.
That knocked the conceit out OF him;
| he stared at me helpleSsly.
| ''Fill 1t with powder or something"
1 explained.
It took him five minutes seif-dfscip-
line to grasp the startling novelty, bur.
he did. and, under my direction, filed
the third finger sheath With plate pow
der. which I rammed homes with my
pencil case. Then, producing rninia-
ture cailiper. he took measurements,
| and began to search his scintillating
stock, displaying revereut familiarity
most impressive to behold. Cleopatra,
how they dazzledl Pearls, rubies, en-
eralds, diamonds, each challenging the
admiration, but checking the desire hg
ting forth the prtce. e4o, ESQ, 8lOo;'
II was a charmed place, where money
lost It's everyday Significance, for whas
man of spirit would be content to offer
the girl Of his heart thing costing
| miserable tenner when close beside II
twinkled rose diamond worth n wilder
ness of "mouleeys?" felt almost pau
perined, reoollecting that had only 8 rs
available from the Derby huudreI.
"Now, sir, what DO you thinx Of this p
asked the shopman ratrenizingly, as
| he displayed an opal chargefuf as the
shifting sunlight on misty sea- It's
exactly-'ne ladys size, malslpgxallow-
apces, for Of course she WON'T want to
wear 1t over 'er glove"
"Are not opals unlucky?" said ], en-
deavorfng to decipher the price.
30, we don't hold with yqch super-
-.ition," replied the jewet6r, Foftily,
"but they do say one will keePyou from
being poisoned"
Then I shall leave 1t for the next rich
widow" I answered. "But what is the
cost of this%'
| I alluded to an emerald set amid
pearls which already saw glftteying on
4 the loveliest hand in tire world. He ex-
| tracted 1t with a silent respect he bor-
rowed from my eagerness, and made a
measurement while I watchedshim, my
heart beating madly. The size was ex-
actly the same; the price-but- that Is a
detail. I decided upon 1t. The shop
man thanked me perfunctorily, and l
leaned against the counter, feeling like
one who had received great favor.
But when l fumbled in my9poetet for
the notes and heard their crisp'crackle,
| NV confidence returned, and then as
watched the splendid thing fashing in
| its violet bed believed must after all
be a rich man, unknown to myself, SO
great was the suggestion of unlirpited
| wealth thus conveyed.
81 should like q piece of glass on the
inside of the case lid" / observed, care
lessly. "Is 1t usual?''
That's looking glass2' queried the
iapidnry. glancing up from surrepti-
tious examination of the notes.
I nodded. I knew l must be getting
red.
We'll" he remarked tolerantly; 'it's
not exactly usual, but it's pretty idea
-'ightens the attraction OF the gem,
makes the lady see the present from two
points Of view"
Hardly an advantage sometimes"
observed; "but can you do it2"
"IEell, yes, should tbink." he replied
condescendingly.
"Yhen get It done, and l shall stand
the racket" answered, nagnifsently
lie hurried away to effect the altere
ton, his place being taken by a bald
headed salesman who wore spectacles
and talked to me over them soothingly
as ono would to person Of weak intel
lect, while formulated piraticai
schemes. and asked him puerilc ques
Mons with gravity equaling his own
When Ileft the shop / headed straight
Tor Bloomsbury square, but, remem-
berlng that she might be just then oo-
.upied by domestic duties, decided TO
rail later in the day. Even the ring
IN my pocket gave me no additional
courage, and presently l began to think
4 was not quite royal enough. Edging
ny way to Regents. park, huated out
quiet spot and sat down to examine
il at leisure. II was glorious still, but
somehow not so glorious as could have
Wished, and was actually questioning
lhe wisdom Of my choice when an ap-
preaching football made me close the
pase. 1t was light, though firm, and the
everlasting flint would have worn well
beneath It. Something, more OF the
intellect than of the sense, made me
.ook up, and I saw her.
The sensation of being shot through
The heart has not, l believe, received ad-
! tuuate literary expression, those who
Experience it being usually preoccupied
1t the exact moment with other mat
ers; but think know what it means.
She stopped, and we gazed at each 9TH
I .r. She was In deep black, but the pal
or had gone from her oval cheeks. She
made me a Authoritative bow. Isprang
10 my feet.
"I'n 80 plad TO see YOU" cried, "be-