The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-19
MY Wife-Her F riend,

"A ring, sir?" said the attendant. What
sort Of a ring?"
An engagement ring" said I, valorous-
u
What size sir?" demanded the man,
docketing me mentally.
Five and half" l replied thinking OF
the glove.
That's rather an unusual size he re-
marked rubbing one eyebrow. unless
its bangle the lady wants.
/ I'm not sure that she wants II al all
I murmured producing the little sanaai
wood-scented nit Of silk: but that IS Inc
size. l think"
! Otis the size OF the lady's and" he
! observed, with mild liberation. unroliing
T. Well. sir, ladies fingers vary in glrth'
| and lis more usual 10 fit them with a piece
/ Of card board; but wen do our best.
Now. sir, what do you think of this?'
! he asked patronisingly. as he displayed an
/ opal changeful as the shifting sun on i
/ misty sea. IT'S exactly the lady's STA.
making allowances. for, of course, she
won't want TO wear it over 'er glove
Are not opals unlucky?' said l, endea-
voring 10 decipher the price.
90 we don't hold with such superst-
| tion." replied the jeweler loftily. but they
| do say one will keep you from being poi
soned.''
| Then 1 shall leave ii for the next rich
widow" l answered. But what is the
cost OF this?"
1 alluded to an emerald set amid pearls
! which / already saw slittering on the love-
Hest hand in the world. He extracted II
with silent respect he borrowed from my
eagerness. and made a measurement,
while l watched him, my heart beating
madly The size was exactly the same;
| the price-but that is 4 detail. 1 decided
upon il. The shOpman thanked me per-
functorily, and l leaned against the coun-
ter feeling like one who had received Il
great favor. But when l fumbied in my
pocket for the notes, and heard their crisp
crackle, my confidence returned, and then,
as l watched the splendid thing flashing
! in its violet bed / believed l must after all
be a rich man, unknown 10 myself so
great was the suggestion of unlimited
wealth thus conveyed.
Il should like a piece of glass on the in
side of the case lid" l observed, care
lessly. rs it usual?'
That's looking glass?" queried the lapi-
dairy, glancing up from a surreptitious eX-
animation of the notes.
l nodded. l knew l must be getting red
We'll" he remarked. tolerantly, its
not exactly usual, but it's a pretty idea
'ightens the attraction of the gem, makes
the lady see the present from two points
of view"
Hardly an advantage sometimes" l
observed; but can you do it?"
Well. yes. 1 should think So he re-
piled, condescendingly.
Then get 1t done, and I'll stand the
racket 1 answered magnifcently.
When l left the shop 1 headed straight
for Bloomsbury Square, but remembering
that she might be just then occupied by
domestic duties. decided to call later in
the day. Even the ring in my pocket gave
me no additional courage, and presently I
began to think it was not quite royal
enough. Edging my way to Regents
Park 1 hunted out a quiet spot and sat
down to examine ii at leisure. 1t was
glorious still, but somehow not so glorious
as I could have wished, and l was actually
questioning the wisdom of my choice wheu
an approaching football made me close the
case. 1t was light, though firm, and the
everlasting flint would have worn we'll be-
meath it. Something, more of the intellect
than of the sense, made me look up and I
saw her.
The sensation of thus being shot through
the heart has not, believe, received ade-
quate literary expression, those who ex-
perience it being usually preoccupied at
the exact moment with other matters; but
l think 1 know what it means
I'm so glad to see Vou," 1 cried. be
cause-I want to restore something you
forgot in the restaurant yester-a few
weeks ago."
How kind of you," she said, coming
nearer.
90 not at ALL" 1 replied; but I hope
you were not inconvenience. l should |
have sent it, but IL didn't"
Il put my hand in my breast pocket hur- !
riedly, and extracted my handkerchief, |
which, in turn, brought to light d sheaf !
of letters and memoranda l shook out at
her feet like a skillful conjurer. Then
tried the other pocket, but vainly. It's a /
glove" l said, weakly, gathering up my |
belongings; ''one Of yours, don't you re- /
member"
I recoIlect-I missed it." she said,
coldly.
But the cab went so quickly,"I plead |
ed; "ah, do sit down until I find it."
She Gid so. l was in a gentle perspira- |
ton.
Pray, do not take so much trouble"
she murmured plaintively.
L have it, ! cried and extracted the /
wisp Of silk from my watch pocket. where
had thrust it on leaving the shop.
so kind Of you" she observed, taking
Would you allow me to keep it?"
"Why?" she answered, quietly, but the
voice was low.
ITO remind me of that happy day" I
replied, shying.
Indeed? I am glad you think Of It as
a pleasant one" she said graciously
Mr.. Turnbull was declaiming all the way
back in the cab. lie seemed prejudiced
against YOU
He may be described as man who
means we'll" I observed, severely. i
hope he said something actionable"
90. hardly that she answered. laugh
ingly; but he seems TO have changed Ma
opinion lately" Chat is the luncheon
bill thought H. your name happened 70
come up in conversation today and he
said"
She paused; a sudden fame leaped into
her cheeks.
What did he say?"I demanded. trying
to look away.
He said you were an honorable man"
she replied. the point OF her parasol trac-
Ing triangles in the dust; but
An there is much virtue in that, but
I observed bitterly.
That you ought to settle down" she
continued tossing her head and rising
SO ! shall I cried. but It depends upon
my .ady. ! have her portrait here in this
case. She is the only girl I shall ever
care for in tha, way. I added, because a
little qualification does no harm at even
The most exalted moments. BY the way
she is an Acquaintance OF yours, too" And
pressing the spring handed the casket
10 her as the lid few back. sac glanced az
me curi0usiy pale nov. I weak, about
the knees. watched a child tTuIGle a hoop
past Us.
She uttered a little CRY. that sank into a
soDoiaE laugh Then she sax down beside
ne and put one q the hands hope %
hold when Death beckons me down tho