Evening journal., 1899-12-14
TWO WEDDING RINGS

man at the door, and leaned over the
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 sus-
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; 1 claim your congratu-
lations. / am TO be married next week
70 the sweetest girl the sun ever shone
upon. There's surprise number one
for you. And wish you'd go TO Sill
verman, the jeweler, and get the wed.
ding ring size enclosed on n bit OF pa
per There's surprise number two.
Seriously, old fellow, IL will do me a
great favor, for business matters here
are complicated in such way that l
cannot hope TO get 20 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 CRESAfER
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? / don't believe she's any more
angelic than Pauline Brooks. But every
man thinks his own goose a 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 n
friend at a pinch-rll 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 /
knew Jones; had bought n gold brace
let Of him for Pauline Brooks six
months ago. Jones was a dapper little
fellow, with stitiiy waxed mustache,
a cameo scarf-pin, and hair believed
4 with some ambrosial perfume or other
Wedding rings, II you please said
III, plunging at once into the object OF
my visit. Here's the size" producing
my slip Of paper
ANY inscription slrr 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.
/ t.rr,1c,, ~ ..of1 l,r,,cn,,aI,- atTCQc
every pretty name," simpered Jones
as he wrote down the order. ANY par
ticular stylet'
"simple and solid," said 1; "thati
! ALL"
Yes. sir 1t shall be attended TO a
once. Shall I send it 10 your residenc'
Or"
"Tll call for It tomorrow" said
1 crossed the park, and hurried NJ
Regent street. mentally gnashing m.
teeth. and I'm my impetuous haste ha'
nearly stumbled over Pauline herself
Just out of a florists with a tiny bou
, tonniere Of violets in her hand.
"Paulinew l cried, rapturously.
But Pauline drew back the least III
tie distance in the world, thereby pu
ting an invisible barrier between u
. that froze me like an iciclc.
"Dear me, Mr.. Bolton, is It your
said Pauline. Il congratulate you, az
surew
upon whatT' 1 demanded, GROWN
desperate.
! "ITpon your approaching marriage {
! be sure!" said Pauline, with a smil
like auroral lights lowering over
snowbank.
"But I'm not going to be married,
protested !.
"Oh, excuse me. prayi Gentlemen d
not usually buy wedding rings withot
purpose" interposed Pauline. "Onl
l should think you might have pal
such old friends as we are the compl
ment of some slight intimation of you
impending marriage"
= Pauline" said I-"Mlss Brooks
4 hear me- There is only one woman
I the world I would care TO marry, an
/ she stands before me nOw!
5 Pauline's lips quivered-the teal
s sparkled in her eyes.
"Mr. BeltOn," said she, you may II
q gard all this as n very fine Joke, bi
surely it is not necessary to add an
more insult to it,
"Do you mean thst you don't belieV
\ meT'
. : "How can l believe your" retortc
she.
S Driven to sort Of frenzy, dragge
l. Percy Cresmer's letter from my pocl
Z ct.
n Pauline" said l. "read that, an
:. You will have a solution'of the my
i terry Of the wedding ring"
j. Her face cleared up as she glance
it over the contents of poor Cresmer
ecstatic missive.
Poor felloww said she. He's vel
much in love. isn't hep
mot half as much as l am said
q And then in the smilax bOrdert
shadow of the florists shop l pressC
- my suit.
\ Dear Pauline, let me order anoth'
i wedding ring"
= For whom?" demanded my Lad
y love.
"For you. have loved you for a lor
time: but ! never had the courage
avow my love before. dear Pauline ~
'e "Hushw said Pauline, eve mustn
ID stand talking here"
le Il won't stir step until you answ
1t me-"
e. "What shall say?' hesitated Par
le inc.
"Say yes"