Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-02-22
A PAIR OF EARRINGS.

/ ing its contents OF shovel and shells, as
well as her position on "ali fours," were
| silent but eloquent witnesses that a cqtas-
trophe had overtaken the little maiden.
Jack Williams sauntered from the shell
Ter Of the boardwalk to the scene
| Lost anything, sisY'
"Yes, sir, and the childish voice was
| charged with tears.
| Jack stopped down beside her.
"Wbat did you lose, dear4 and the
voice and look contrasted strangely with
| the rough, weatner-beaten countenance.
"a carving" and the tears wateFed the
red cheeks.
1don't think young ladies ought to wear
earrings until they are too big TO play in
the dirt, do you"
ut wasn't mine,' was the response, in
! low voice, while the slender little fingers
! played nervously with each other. 1t was
my mammals! IL jus took it little
while to put on my doll an
"What kind of an earring was it, DEAR"
at was pretty dpmon one"
Then ] am sure ] can find it, he said,
cheerfully, reaching for the tiny shovel.
81 am used to looking for diamonds.
It's got little screw to it to make it
stay in" the little maiden volunteered,
few moments.
Where's your mothers other earring?"
he said, abruptly
"She amt got no more like it now; but
she's goin' te get mother one some day
SO she can wear err" was the reply, in
confidential voice.
'Look herel"
He thrust his hand into his breast peck
ct and produced tiny leather case His
hand trembled slightly as he opened it.
81 don't suppose your mothers earring
looks anything like this one?"
A pure white diamond of unusual size
cleaned on the satin lining of the case.
That's It'll" the child exclaimed, joy
fully, putting out her hand to take. it.
Jack silently closed and returned the
case to his pocket and returned 10 his task
of diamond digging with an energy and
eagerness he had never felt until then.
Presently he took from the damp sand the
object Of his search. He looked at it long
and carefully, then held it out to the child
and asked:
"Whose earring is this?"
That's it, too!" she exclaimed, then
looked up at him with a puzzled express
sion.
Now tell me what your name is?"
"Woss Waters. What's your name"
twisting button on his coat in a conf
Dental way that provoked sad little
smile from her companion.
Jack Williams. Did you ever hear it?"
The little one shook her head.
"Where is your home, dear?"
Her expression became one of perpleI-
ity as she looked anxiously towards the
confusing mass of hotels.
There it is now! See mamma on the
porch?'
The book Mrs. Waters held in her hand
was Suddenly jostled and, glancing down
for the cause, she found her child leaning
across her lap looking up at her with a
rogush smile.
'Where have you been, you naughty
child? Mother has been worried nearly
to death about you"
Little Rose replied by slightly opening
one of her tightly-closed little fists, dis
closing a sparkling gem. Mrs. Waters
promptly snatched it.
Mind, / am going to punish you, Rose,
for taking this, she said, in low, firm
voice.
Rose only continued to smile, and gently
Enclosed the other fist, showing the other
earring
As the mother seized this also, she
looked at her little daughter vita star
tied expression. Rose stole glance side
wise The mothers followed it to the
tanned, bearded face of a stranger, whose
dark blue eyes met hers with a look that
for a moment affected her as the sight
of the second earring had done. But in
moment her face resumed its natural ex-
preston. She smiled condescendingly.
~. Il . x%r
the avenue and the beach," she said.
Something suddenly faded from the
strangers eyes.
"This is a very good match for mine,
apparently Mrs. Waters continued, ''the
best I've ever seen, | should like to have
connoisseur compare them. Mr. Cam
eron," turning to a gentleman near her
and holding out the earrings to him,
''what do you think of these:'
"Why, they are magnificent, Mrs. Wa
tiers" after a moments scrutiny.
'sThis one is, | know"
"Why, they are matched"
"Ohl no. The mate of this one is in
California"
Then, to his look OF inquiry, she replied,
coquetishly:
II gave it to an old lover of mine ten
years ago. lie was gong away, poor lel-
low, to seek his fortune and mine, and
wanted him to have some reminder of me,
SO l gave him one OF my priceless ear
rings for shirt stud"
"And he never came back?"
'What was the user"
"Oh! yes! | understand; womanlike,
you were the one to forget"
"And he went off to California, poor old
Jack, to bury his disappointment, they
say. / have often wished he had been
thoughtful enough to send my earring back
to me"
"You can certainly get perfect substi
tute for it in that one
"But | expect it is beyond my means
il it is genuine" she said, looking at the
diamond, longingy. However, | am 60
ing to ask him to put it aside for awhile,
anyhow-wouldn't you"
II certainly should if | wanted to match
the one you have"
turning to the owner of the gem, whose
IL