The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-08-07
The Lucky Opal.
BY ORvILLE H. STEWART.

paucu, loOktu upon WIN universal aD-
prevail by mothers who had the inter.
ests of marriageable daughters at
heart. lie had come from somewhere
in the east to drink the mineral waters
TO rid himself Of the dreadful southern
malaria which took possession Of him
while waiting for orders to move with
his regiment from Tampa to Cuba.
Will Gray and Bert Clarke had been
classmates at Du Paw. and upon Wills
urgent invitation Bert came down from
Michigan for fortnight, Bert had
taken TO law in Detroit and was get
ting on exceedingly well.
The Fishers Of Toronto, who We're
the heart of the social life of the ia.
nous Indiana resort, had announced
cards and dancing for Thursday even.
ing Will told Mrs. Fisher about Bert,
and she insisted that he be brought
along.
Hes just the fellow for my cousin,
Joel Lewis, from Mobile" she said.
We'll have reunion of the north and
south, you know"
Miss Lewis was typical southern
beauty, Indeed pretter girl would
be hard to find, north or south-tall,
graceful and wilowy, with d deep,
mellow complexion SO characteristic of
the arstocra,ic blue blooded creole.
Clarke stood even six. broad and hand.
some, His bright blue eyes were a
striking contrast to Miss Lewis eyes
of deep brown.
4 mutual admiration sprang up at
once They We're together nearly all
through the cards and were almost in.
separable in dancing 4 waltz had
just been exhausted, leaving them as
fresh as at first, seemingly craving for
more
"As diversion" announced the hap.
py hostess, Il have arranged for vot.
ing contest TO determine which is the
most popular young man and woman
here this evening-.iust for fun. You
know. Each person will please write his
or her choice on these slips of paper and
deposit them unsigned and folded into
these ballot boxes
Mrs. Fisher and VIII were "election
clerks and tie young minister WAS
"iuhgc.' The announcement was soon
made that Miss Lewis and Mr. Clar':e
had been elected BY very compliment
AIRY pInralites.
"Oh, isn't that lovoly| loci said. de-
lighted. when handed the unexpected
prizr. But there's an opal. II will
bring me misfortune. sure She added,
with inherited southern superstition.
"Whv, the opal is a lucky stone"
said Clarke.
Every unluchy for those not born in
October, No one could persuade me to
possess one"
I'm an October chap" said Bort.
80 I'll exchange the stone represent.
ing your month for it,"
May is my month
"Ihrn I'll take your olAl. and you
may have my emerald
All were then uShcrcd into the din
ing room, Miss Lewis upon Bcrt's arm.
Every one gave a toast to the most
popular couple" the preacher coming
last preceded by the deputy clerk.
'Nhy we have a preacher and the
marriage license man here. Why not
lav" wcdIiug" blurrcd out Charlie
Smiley.
"Good suggestion said the preach
or I'm ready if you are. Get the
girl"
Charlie Smiley withcrcd.
"rhat would be jolly. though" re-
marked Miss Farley. "Whai's the mat
ter with the most popular couple"
Happily. the conversation switched.
Bert whispered over 10 VIII. who man
aged TO get the clerk away from the ia
Me. and quietly the three left the house.
but little attention.
IT was nine miles to 'aoli. the county
seat. There was no train, and to drive
there and back in time was out Of the
question.
4 rush was made for the railroad
station II Il minute the operator WAS
in communication with the chief Mo-
non officials. and in ten minutes the en-
CINE which had Just brought in the last
passenger train for the n4ht was dash
Ing with the three young men to I'auii,
Whcr" It was but Il short srrin, to the
Fortunately, the track was
clear there being nothing to hinder the
great speed desired and in fact made.
Before they were scarcely missed they
had r"joncd the party III the hotel
The preacher caruc pear cXciaiming
aloud when secretly told. and Will had
to get linn to one side and produce the
document 10 convince him. The minis.
ter then calmly stepped to the center of
the room. Miss Cook struck up 10.
hcngrin.' and in cane the most popu-
lar couple" from the music room.
Some began to cheer, thinking thew
were being treated to a pretty farce.
AID not until they heard the little min
lister wind up brief ceremony with
'and now do pronounce you husband
and wife, did they realize what had
actually happened
opal is my lucky stone" said Bert
as they starred on their Lewis Clarke
expedition to the north
"And it's a lucky stone for me-" re.
piled his smiling bride Lets not lave
them changed Chicago Record Her.
aid
Cave Spiders.