, 1898-10-11
TWO WEDDING RINGS

are compelled 10 board we'll know.
Again I asked:
"Mrs. Metcalfe, are there any letters
for met I expect . letter Of some impor-
lance"
Coming, sir-comingl" replied Ma.
tilda, her daughter, as tho latter slowly
ascended tho stairs, gazing very inter
estedly at q postcard.
In a few moments more she arrived
at my landing, on the second floor, and
gave to me . letter, two postcards and a
newspaper.
al thought that you were inspecting
my correspondence" I said sarcastic
ally.
"Whati /? Oh, Mr.. Bolton. I would
never think Of such a thing" And she
went down stairs. tossing her head like
an enraged Shetland pony.
One was 4 card from my tailor to mott
fy me Of his removal; one from Louis
Durande to tell me that he could not keep
. certain engagement with me, and a
letter from Percy Cresmer. who had
warmed his slippers At the same college
fire with me scarcely three years ago.
His epistle ran thus:
DnAn BELroN-l claim your congratulations.
Ian 10 Be married next week to the sweetest
girl tAe sun ever shons upoo. There's sur
prise No. I for you. n ] wtsh you'd go to
tilvsrman, The jeweler, and get the wedding
ring, siss inciosed on q bit d paper. There's
surprise No. 2. 6eriously, old fellow, II will
do me . great favor, for business matters here
are complicated n such . way that l cannot
hope to get 10 the city "a day before the event.
and o1 course / know that ] can trust your
taste md judgment equally with my own.
Hav the words "Helen, 1885," engraved on
the inside. and please send by post without
delay. Ever yours faithfully,
PIRcY CREsMEn.
p. s.-she 10 an angel.
"Well," said I to myself, Ming
down my old chum's rapturous letter,
''here's q pretty commission for u bach-
elor. An angel. is she? l don't believe
she's any more angelic than Pauline
Brooks. But every man thinks his own
goose q swan. I pity the poor fellow.
I'm sure. He's clearly in q state of
glamour that makes him see everything
couleur de rose. But I'm not one to de.
sert . friend at . pinch. I'll buy his
miserable wedding ring with the great
est pleasure in life."
So I locked my desk, put on my over
coat and went straightway to Silver
mans
Jones was behind the counter. knew
Jones. I had bought q gold bracelet of
him for Pauline Brooks six months ago.
Jones was a dapper little fellow, with
stif1y waxed mustache. . cameo scarf
pin and hair believed with some am
broeial perfume or other.
wedding rings, il 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 * preternaturally
knowing an aspect that I could cheer
fully have pitched him in among the
plated ware in the big glass showcase
behind him.
Helen" said I brusquely, "ls96."
emma, sirf" Jones put his hand be-
hind his ear to assist his hearing.
Helen" l bawled out, painfully
conscious that the eyes Of the three
pretty girls who were at the counter be-
yond were upon me
VERY pretty name, " simpered Jones
~ he wrote down the order. "Any par
ticular style?"
"simpls and Solid" said 1; "that's
all"
Eyes, sir. 1t shall be attended to at
once. Shall I send 1t to your resi-.
denoe, orr
"I'fl call for Il tomorrow" said 1.
NJ ny.-.. n--.ul NJ,