The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-06-11
CASUAL ACQUAINTANCES.

| was out for a shop-WindoW spree,
and standing at jewelers. window. was
examining its expensive and beautiful
contents, with view to purchase
"when money grows on the hob" as
mother used to say when I asked for the
imp Ossible.
| turned at the question. Reside me,
munching chocolates. stood a carefully
dressed, pleasant looking woman of the
good natured, happy go-lUcky type.
There was an air of contented salts
faction about her which invited conf
dcnce. And, although / do not believe
in making up to strangers on the off
chance of entertaining angels, L accept
ed her at face value.
Her question expressed mental prob
lem which | had been trying in vain to
solve, and answered truthfully, Il do
not know"
She selected chocolate, then held the
bag in mute invitation. 1 took one.
They were good chocolates. We shared
them equally, chatting the while about
the various rings and their beautiful
settings.
Il don't believe in loading my fingers
with rings" she said, exposing a we'll
kept hand devoid of ornament save for
the plain gold band which circled the
fourth finger; ''but [ have always had
laundering after one or two real good
ones. And Joe-my husband-has
promised to buy me one or two today"
/ congratulated her on her good for
tune, and tried to aid her in the difficult
task of making choice.
''When Pm at home" she sighed, 81
know exactly the kind 1 should like, but
as soon as / get to the windows, | see
so many, and they all look so beautiful,
| can't make up my mind which to have.
This is the fifth window Eve looked at,
and I'm no nearer now than | was at
the beginning"
l appreciated her difficulty, but adj
rised her to take immediate advantage
of her husbands generosity.
ooh! I'm not in hurry" she said
with happy laugh. IF don't buy the
rings, Joe will give me the money. And
f1O in the hand is better than two
rings on the finger" she added shrewd-
ly.
We were''going in the same direction,
so we sauntered down the street to-
gether.
"Joe's sailor" she informed me-,
innate on a wind TANNER. He's just
home from two-year voyage. He took
his discharge at Antwerp, but had his
note sent on to Manchester We don't
live in the city, but only came in for the
money. He's gone for it now"
at must be awfully lonely for you
while he's away" | said.
"Well, yes, it is" she admitted, "but
you soon get used to it. And we are
far happier than we should be if he was
uiways at home Every time he comes
it's like having a new honeymoon. And
when he's away it's just as if we were
counting over again. The letters he
writes to me! And tho presents he
brincsi Our house is full of curious
things and pretty knicknacks from all
parts of the world. The neighbors look
forward to his coming as much as [
do. He's so free hearted, and such good
company. Everybody likes Joe.'
We paused at a window glittering
with gems. While we examined them
she continued her eulogy of Joe and his
virtues.
"This voyage has been the best Joe
ever made" she said, confidentially.
Him and the captain had a trade on
their own and cleared ESQ apiece. And
at one of the South American ports, to
oblige the agent they took Spanish
Don on board as Il passenger.
''He had been I'D country and had got
the fever and the doctor said his only
CHARGE of recovery lay in long sea
voyage. He didn't know much English,
and as Joe was the only one on board
who knew Spanish they became quite
friendly.
cat first the Don picked up wonder
fully, and they thought he would be all
right before they got home; but it
wasn't to be. All through the worst of
his seasickness Joe nursed him as care
fully as if he had been his own father,
and the Don was very grateful.
"When he was dying ne gave Joe a
beautiful claw ring set with diamond
bigger than any of them'-pointing to
the stones in the window.
II don't know much about diamonds,
but Judging from the prices of these
and the size of that it must be worth
| $50 or EGO at the very least.
"Joe didn't want to take it, but the
Don made him. He said kindness such
as Joe had shown him was i'll paid by
such trife.
"Joe doesn't care bit about iewelry,
so he is going to have the diamond set
i'll brooch for me. When l told him
should want some rings TO 90 with 1T,
he laughed and said, | could buy any |
liked up to 910."
As we turned from the window, a
broad -shouldered, well set up man OF
about 80 years of age, dressed in blue
pilot REFER suit, came hurrying toward
us.
There you are, Nance he said
heartily ''I thought I should find you
hanging round a jewelers. shop window.
Chosen the rings YETI"
| "This is Joe," Nance said proudly.
| laying a OBTAINING hand on my arm.
Then to Joe in explanation of her ac-
quaintance with me, "This young lady
was standing at show window and
spoke to her We've had quite a long
chat together. I've told her all about
you, and the Don, ana the ring he gave
you Show it to her. -Toe."
''He's got it with nim,' she said, in
answer to my protest, land l know you
would like to see it, now wouldn't your
I admitted that I should, and we
walked into one of the arcades so that
[ might examine it in quiet and at leis-
ure; Joe was typical sailor, bluff and
hearty, with a pleasant fact and open
smile that was very engaging. | did not
wonder that Nance was proud of him.
| The ring was not new, but it was a
real beauty. To my inexperienced eyes
it seemed worth far more than the ESQ