Evening journal., 1899-12-18
TWO WEDDING RINGS


calfe or her daughter was Inspecting
my letters probably reading the post
cards, if there were any.
One card from my tailor 70 notify me
or his removal; one from Louis Du-
rande TO tell me that he could not keep
a certain engagement with me and n
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: claim your congratu-
lations. am 20 be married next week
TO the sweetest girl the sun ever shone
upon. There's surprise number one
for you. And 1 wish you'd go TO sill
verman, the jeweler, and get the wed.
ding ring size enclosed on bit OF pa
per There's surprise number two.
Seriously, old fellow, II win do me a
great favor, for business matters here
are complicated IN such a way that
cannot hope to get 70 the city a day
before the event; and, OF course, /
know that / can trust your taste and
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 to myself, laying down
my old chum's letter, here's a pretty
commission for a bachelor An angel.
Is she? l 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 a state OF glamour that
makes him see everything couleur de
rose. But I'm not one to desert a
friend at a pinch-I'l buy his misera-
BILE 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. 1
knew Jones; had bought a gold brace
let of him for Pauline Brooks six
months ago. Jones was a dnpper little
fellow, with n stiiily waxed mustache,
a cameo scarf-pin, and hair bedewed
with some ambroslal perfume or other.
wedding rings, II you please said
/, plunging at once into the object OF
my visit. Heres the size" producing
my slip OF paper.
ANY inscription sir7' 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.
sHelcn," said brusquely, 1885,"
"yery pretty name," simpered Jones
as he wrote down the order ANY par
ticular styleV
"slmple and solid" said I; "that'
ALL"
eyes. sir, It shall be attended to al
once. Shall send II to your residence
or"
"Ill call for II tomorrow" said /
/ crossed the park, and hurried al
Regent street, mentally gnashing ny
teeth, and in my impetuous haste has
nearly stumbled over Pauline herself
! Just ont Of a florists with tiny bou
tonniere OF violets in her hand.
"Paulinew / cried, rapturously.
| But Pauline drew back the least III
! tie distance IN the world, thereby put
ting an invisible barrier between u
that froze me like an icicle.
Dear me, Mr.. Bolton, Is II your
said Pauline. II congratulate you, l an
, surer
i "Upon whatYv I demanded, growln
! desperate.
upon your approaching marriage Z
, be surem said Pauline, with smil
/; like auroral lights lowering over
, snowbank.
, But I'm not going to be married,
! protested !.
"Oh, excuse me, pray Gentlemen d
not usually buy wedding rings withou
, a purpose" interpOsed Pauline. "Onl
l should think you might have pail
such old friends as we are the compll
ment Of some slight intimation Of you
impending marriage"
Pauline" said I-"Miss Brooks
hear me. There is only one woman 4
! the world would care to marry, an
she stands before me now@
! pauline's lips quivered-the tear
: sparkled in her eyes.
Z "Mr. Belton," said she, "you may rs
! gard all this as n very fine Joke, bu
: surely it is not necessary to add an
: more insult to it,"
"Do you mean that you don't believ
T me?"
+ allow can believe your retorte
= she.
= Driven to sort Of frenzy I dragge
b Percy Cresmer's letter from my pocl
+ et
p pauline" said /, "read that, an
e You will have a solution Of the my'
{ terry Of the wedding ring"
Her face cleared up as she glance
over the contents Of poor Cresmer
ecstatic missive.
poor fellowr' said she. Hes yer
/, much in love, isn't hep
! mot half as much as / am" said
And then in the smilax bordere
shadow of the florists shop l presse
: my suit.
! Dear Pauline, let me order anothe
: wedding ring"
6 "For whomT demanded my lad
= love.
Q "For YOU. I have loved you for a Ion
e time; but | never had the courage
Y avow my love before. dear Pauline"
;. "Hush.' said Pauline, 1--WE mustn
E stand talking here"
r Il won't stir a step until you answG
!; me-"
d "What shall l say?" hesitated Pau
e inc
e "Say yes"
: ordered the duplicate wedding rim
: that very night. Pauline said 1t ws
J. too soon; but l quoted the anclen pro
e erb, Delays are dangerous" An
: we are to be married in month. An
n if it hadn't been for the providentii