The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-14
Her Jewels.

!
ing TO the fair, dainty little lady who
stood looking at it. her blue eyes frown-
ing. her red lips little pouty.
Mrs. Clifford touched the thick, shin
ing satin bodice caressipgly and looked
up at Jennie.
Don't you like 1t, dear? I can't see
| where there is room for the slightest i'm
provement. The skirt is elegant and the
bodice IS exquisite Jennie laughed at her
mothers evident distress lest she was
not perfectly satisfied.
1t is perfectly lovely, mamma she
replied. There can be no doubt Of
that, and l am quite sure shall look
| nicely in it. and I am also quite sure
Phil will admire it. Only
And the little disconnected look came
back into the pretty blue eyes that Phil
! Courtenay swore by, and that had play
| ed sad havoc with his heart until he
| had conquered their owner.
| Only what. Jennie?"
If I didn't have to wear flowers,
mamma, with it, oh, I am so sick OF
| flowers-howers, always flowers, for or
| naments-and 1 am just dying for jew
| els-a diamond cross and earrings
| And accompanying the words was a de-
fiant little nod OF the head and COM
preston of the red lips.
| ''Jennie| A diamond cross and ear
|
| for queens crown or an angels wing
I and be done with it? A diamond cross
and earrings! Child, how silly to waste
| even thought, a wish, much less
word, on such an utter, absolute impos-
siblityp'
Instead of being hushed by Mrs Cliff
| ford's positive determination, Jennie on
! ~ smiled, with a little more of def
| ance in her blue eyes
But I do wish for them, all the same,
mamma, and I think 1 ought to have
them, too. And so does Phil, and he has
as good as told his rich old grand
uncle to give me just such a present
He's horribly stingy, old Mr.. Bemerton
is, and if 1 wait until ne gives them 10
me"
But, dear, cannot see what that or
anything else can have to do with your
insane desire Wait until Mr. Bemerton
sees fit TO present you with some hand
some jewels; and meanwhile you will
look just as sweet as ever In fresh,
lovely flowers
the diamonds, or else I won't go to tie
ball"
Her mother sighed over the sweet, will
full girl.
And" Jennie went on, in a decisive
sort Of way her mother knew would
be Of no avail attempting to prevent
ST can easy enough have them. mamma.
I'll hire them for the occasion!'
Jennie, Hire them Child. what folly
you are talking. Wear hired Jewels
hired finery! Jennie surely you are not
in earnest when you propose such an
unwomanly, such a perfectly disgraceful
thng?"
Jennie's eyes sparIled as she listened
impatiently.
Mamma, what nonsense! Better peo-
pie than we do such things, and I'm
sure it can be no worse than hiring
masquerade suits, and everybody does
that, or imposing upon people with hired
wedding presents, as cousin Amy did,
What your Aunt Olive does is often
very different from what I would do,
Besides, Jennie, you know Philip would
be indignant You know he would never
tolerate such a thing"
Jennie's cheek flushed.
II will tell him. If ne says a word,
that it is because his cross, misery old
u3cle refuses to give me any, and
there'N not be anybody at the ball with
out ornaments. Mamma, I'm going u
have them, and that's all there is about
IT. And I'll look so perfectly fascinating
that even You viii forgive me, you dear
let me kiss you, mamma, for 1 assure
you I shan't stir one step till you do,
so I'll know you aren't cross with me"
OF all the beautiful women in the ball
room that evening Jennie Clifford was
undoubtedly the belle, and in that con-
scious satisfaction that IS so gratifying
to a woman Jennie's cheeks grew daint-
lily pink, and her eyes sparkled even
brighter than the shining brilliants that
1,
bosom, suspended by the black velvet
band at her throat.
For she had accomplished her desire,
and had hired the diamonds. and thor
oughly enjoyed the lmpid, dazzling ele-
gance that enhanced her own fair beauty
and that of her snowy white costume.
At home, when Mr. Courtenay had kiss
ed her before they entered the carriage,
Jennie had taken care her opera cloak
should he around her shoulders, and
white fieecy covering over her fair hair. |
soth ia when he had met her at the !
dressing-room door. in the crowd about /
them, he could only look his complete |
astonishment.
As old Mr. Bemerton did, when. an !
hour or so later, he was watching Jen- !
ME dance-only look his astonishment-
and, after a prolonged stare. gave a lit !
tie surprised ''Humphi" and then go off |
to the card table for a rubber of whist
Jennie laughed and danced. and the !
dimples and Pushes We'd with each other /
IN their bewltching attractiveness. Peo-
pc looked al her, and remarked how
perfectly lovely and graceful she was:
and the evening was one long ovation
to her youth and beauty. until at last
she was surfeited with the nectar and /
asked Philip to take her home, when
in the carriage IN waiting for them,
which was old Mr.. Bemerton's, they
found the old man very enthusiastic over
the furore Jennie had created shat even
ir<
only there's one thing I'm sorry for.
and that IS 7 shall he disappointed IN 1
giving YOU these. and I hurried MappIns
NJ. SOS to hand them % you tonight
thinking you'd he so pleased 70 wear
EN- But. seeing you have one set. You
won't want these. and I'll take them
back"
And "a Re spoke Re took = Russia
leather casket from the seat behind him.
and sprang the Id. revealing IN the
light Of the carriage lambs magnificent
cross Of diamonds. brooch and ear
rings. a star for the hair. and q bracelet
one giittering splendor. lying On their
bed Of black velvet
\ l'ttle scream Of rapture burst from
jennie.
"Oh. oh. oh, How glo-iousi What ez- .
1uisite-exquisite beautiesi Phil. Gid you
over see anything 50 psrfectly loyeIv7 !
And they are for
Anr then the actually ~ her position. /
With ali its shame and n1oTtidcariou. o.
cured % her and she sank hack sEasnz
.ae cushions. hot. angry tears forcing I.
themselves from her eyes. and d-oppirz
N The hateful fstefuI diamonds on he-
5reast
Philip. v7o baran 70 understand g al