Evening journal., 1899-11-03
TWO WEDDING RINGS


banisters to inquire of my landlady IL
there were any letters for me.
There was no immediate response to
my query, and ] inferred from the Sis
picious silence that either Mrs. Met
calfe or her daughter was inspecting |
my letters, probably reading the post
cards, If there were any.
One card from my tailor to notify me |
of his removal; one from Louis Du- |
rande to tell me that he could not keep |
n certain engagement with me and a |
letter from Percy Cresmer who had |
warmed his slippers at the same col |
lege fire with me scarcely three years
ago.
His epistle ran thus:
Dear Bolton: l 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 l wish you'd go to Sill
verman, the jeweler, and get the we'd
ding ring, size enclosed on n bit of pa
per. There's surprise number two.
Seriously, old fellow, It will do me a
great favor, for business matters here
are complicated in such a way that 1
cannot hope to get to the city a day
( before the event; and, of course, |
Z know that / can trust your taste and
1 Judgment equally with my own. Have
/ the words Helen, 1896 engraved on
the inside, and please send by post
without delay. Ever yours faithfully,
PERCY CRESMER.
"P. S.-She is an angel"
"Well," said l to myself, laying down
my old chum's letter, there's a pretty
commission for a bachelor. An angel,
is she? ! don't believe she's any more
angelic than Pauline Brooks. But every
man thinks his own goose n swan. |
pity the poor fellow, I'm sure; he's
clearly in n state OF glamour that
makes him see everything couleur de
rose. But I'm not one to desert a
friend at pinch-I'll buy his misera-
bic wedding ring with the greatest
pleasure in life"
So locked my desk, put on my over
coat and went straightway TO Silver
mans
Jones was behind the counter. l
knew Jones; had bought n gold brace
let of him for Pauline Brooks six
months ago. Jones was n dapper little
fellow, with a stfIly waxed mustache,
a cameo scarf pin, and hair bedewed
with some ambrOsial perfume or other.
wedding rings, if you please said
l, plunging at once into the object Of
my visit. Here's the size" producing
my slip Of paper
'Any inscription sirF" questioned
Jones. assuming so preternaturally
knowing an aspect that l could have
cheerfully pitched him in among the
plated ware in the big glass showcase
behind him.
Helen" said brusquely, 1896"
"Very pretty name" simpered Jones,
as he wrote down the order "Any par
ticular styleE
simple and solid," said 1; that's
Yes sir. it shall be attended to at
once Shall / send it to your residence
Or"
"Tll call for IL tomorrow" said l..
crossed the park. and hurried up
Regent street, mentally gnashing my
teeth, and in my impetuous haste had
nearly stumbled over Pauline herself,
lust out of Il florists with a tiny bou-
tonniere OF violets in her hand.
Pauline" / cried, rapturOusly.
But Pauline drew back the least lit
tie distance in the world, thereby put
ting an invisible barrier between us
THAT frOze me like an icicle.
Dear me, Mr.. Bolton, is it your
said Pauline. II congratulate you, / am
surer'
Upon what?" 1 demanded, growing
desperate.
Upon your approaching marriage to
be surer said Pauline, with a smile
like auroral lights lowering over a
snowbank.
"But I'm not going to be married" /"
protested !.
"Oh. excuse me, prayl Gentlemen do
not usually buy wedding rings without
a purpose" interpOsed Pauline. only
should think You might have paid
such old friends rs we are the cOmph-
ment of some slight intimation of your
impending marriage"
Pauline" said I-"Miss Brooks
5 hear me. There is only one woman in
the world 1 would care to marry and
she stands before me now.
j Pauline's lips quiyered-the tears
sparkled in her eyes.
''AIr. Belton" said she, you may re
gard all this as a very fine joke. but
surely it is not necessary to add any
more insult to it,"
"Do you mean that you don't believ
meY'
"IIow can 1 believe youg' retortet
she.
Driven TO a sort Of frenzy, dragged
. Percy Cresmcr's letter from my p0ek
ct.
Pauline" said /. 'read that, anC
yOu will have "A solution Of the mys
tory Of the wedding ring
Her face cleared up as she glanced
over the contents of poor Cresmer
ecsiatic missive.
= Poor fellow" said she. Hes yer!
much i'm love, isn't hep
mot half MS much as l am said !
And then I'm the smilaX hordere6
shadow OF the florists shop ! pressed
my suit.
" Dear Pauline, let me order another
wedding ring"
For whomy' demanded my lad.
love-
. For YOU I have loved you for lonl
time; but l never had the courage t
ayow my love before. dear Pauline"
"Hushw said Pauline, "we mustn'
b. stand talking here
Il won't stir step until you answe
me-"
"What shall | savy hesitated Paul