The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-06-25
Q b. b lack Opal
N SHOE T ST Ry


Noble did not feel az all sure about
that. But when the Professor smiled
al her, any idea OF resentment In.
stantly vanished
Very we'll" she said. you may say
just what you like"
Even as your fathers closest
friend, | could hardly claim that priv.
ilege. But l admit that | was disap-
I pointed not TO see you last night -
I was tired. said Mollie. "and also.
! | had forgotten the date. and was
Z thinking"
As matter OF fact. you didn't
want To be bored"
You never. never bore met"
Il fear the world is not altogether
OF your opinion said the Professor
smiling beneyolentiy at his own fin.
gers. Last night, however. was
not lecturing. | was just showing TO
Few people my very choice collec-
tion of gems"
They're lovely" said Mollie.
Il should rather say. wonderful and
mysterious" said the Professor. "As
biologist. | am permitted these little
eccentricities. One must keep in touch
with romance" After a pause he
ANiHSu 10 neT ana SAID.
You've seen all my collection. |
think. except the black opal? But |
always intended that you should see
il some day"
And now said Mollie, Il suppose
you are going TO say that I've missed
the chance? Mrs. Penrose told me
this morning that she saw 1t last
night"
Il trust Mrs. Penrose appreciated
the privilege. In spite of your defec.
ton, however, | am prepared to give
you private view"
Professor Ewarts tone had altered
slightly; hint OF the lecturer-manner
seemed TO have crept into il. Mollie
watched him intently as he slipped his
hand into an inside pocket. from
which he produced a little leather
case.
Most OF my gems. as you know.
are unset he said, but this was so
exquisitely mounted that | left the
worthless gold alone" He opened the
case. Come a little nearer. child.
bring your chair under the light"
Mollie obeyed. and out Of the case
the professor took a ring. At first he
held II away from her, showing her
only the hoop.
The diamond" he said, compared |
with the opal, and particularly the |
black opal. is a mere Haunting beauty: |
IL filings itself at you. as il were. The |
opal has delicacy and reserve as well |
as passion"
He turned the gem towards Mollie |
and continued:
AT times 1t may look as black as
. pool at midnight change the posi- |
ton, and you see lights beckoning /
from afar; change it again. and you
seem TO see the pulsation OF a living /
heart. This gem is compact of the
sun and moon. and it's mystery is as
wonderful as life itself"
It's very beautiful" said Mollie. |
rather breathlessly.
Beautiful" cried the Professor.
Beautiful is a poor word, tell you
hat this opal has force, personality,
CONTROL"
Il thought" said Mollie. that you
were not going TO lecture"
I've finished" said the Professor.
You don't make an appreciative au-
Hence, Molliei / meant TO have told
you how this opal has changed the
current OF lives and-well, perhaps.
made the world less dull"
your"
My dear child. don't know that
was ever really angry in my life.
except" he added. when Grass and
mpenetrable ignorance. and even then
was more dismayed than angry"
I'm dreadfully ignorant" said Mol
lie.
II admit" said the Professor. TAX
ng her hand and patting it gently. Il
admit that you seem strangely ignor-
mt Of some things But there MAJ
De charm even in that"
Mollie felt more lonely than ever
after Professor Ewart had departed.
She felt that in some way she had Of
Tended her old friend. Yet he had
aiken the trouble to bring the black
opal; a singular proceeding for so
careful and methodical a man.
The afternoon was as dismal as the
morning: when she looked out into
he street she saw nothing but swirl
ng fog. She wished that she knew
he secret of the Professors black
pal which could make the world less
lull And he had not said a word
bout Captain Dennison.
She had almost made up her mind
n sheer desperation TO face the fog
ind pay some calls, when Captain
)ennison turned up. The change in
linn startled her; her breath caught.
Don't be alarmed" he said. laugh
ng, and his laugh, at any rate, had
lot changed. I'm on the right road
low, putting on flesh every day"
Il only heard this morning that
'oud been III. Mrs. Penrose told me.
Why didn't you write?"
Il hardly thought you'd like me to-"
Mollie flushed. and shot a glance of
at him.
Captain Dennison," she said. you
night at least give me credit for or
inary humanity"
Il give you credit" he said. "for
more than that But ordinary human
~ being, after all, quite commonplace.
sn't always ready to make up quar-
els
"Quarrels. Captain Dennison?"
II thought 1t was a quarrel. Mrs.
'elday."
Certainly" said Mollie. you were
istincty unpleasant; you said unkind
hings"