Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-05-22
CASUAL ACQUAINTANCEs.

| was out for a shop-window spree,
and, standing at jewelers. window. was
examining is expensive and beautiful
contents, with a view to purchase
when money grows on the hob as
mother used to say when / asked for the
impossible.
| turned at the question. Beside me,
munching chocolates, stood 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, | accept
ed her at face value.
Her question expressed a 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. | 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 eircled the
fourth finger; "but / have always had
a hankering after one OF 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 I'm at nome" she sighed, Il
know exactly the kind / 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 I've looked at,
and I'm no nearer now than | was at
the beginning"
/ appreciated her difficulty, but ad-
vised her to take immediate advantage
of her husbands generosity.
"Ohl I'm not in a hurry" she said
with happy laugh. IF don't buy the
rings, Joe will give me the money. And
clio 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 SdliOI. sue 1ulOIIhtu me,
mate on a wind jammer He's Just
home from a 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"
1T 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
always 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 met And the presents he
brings Our house is full of curious
things and pretty knieknacks 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 glitterine
with gems. While we examined them
she continued her eulogy of joe and his
virtues.
This voyage has been the best Joe
ever maden she said, con6dentially
Him and the captain had trade OF
their own and cleared ESQ apiece. And
at one of the South American ports, &c
ohlige the agent they took Spanish
Don on board as passenger.
lie had been no 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
r who knew Spanish they became quite
friendly.
AT first the Don picked up wonder.
fully, and they thought he would be all
right before they got home; but il
wasn't to be- All through the worst OF
his seasiekness 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 q
beautiful claw ring set with diamond
, bigger than any of pointing to
the stones in the window.
Il don't know much about diamonds
but Judging from the prices OF these
and the size of that it must be worth
ESQ or eco at the very least.
",loe didn't want 20 take it, but the
Don made him. He said kindness such
rs Joe had shown him was i'll paid by
such a triAe.
Joe doesn't care bit about iewelry
so ne ls gong 10 nave tOe diamond sci
lin a brooch for me- When / told him
, should want some rings 20 go with it,
he laughed and said, l could buy any
liked up to f10."
As we turned from the window. q
broad shouldered, well set up man OF
about 80 years of age dressed in blue
pilot REFER suit, came hurrying toward
Us.
.,Tbene vo,, are Nance no sa;d
heartily. u thought l should find you
hanging round a jewelers. shop window.
Chosen the rings yetG'
This is Joe" Nance said proudly
laying a OBTAINING hand On my arm.
| - = /. \