The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-09-30


it, and almost let the circlet fall, so
horror struck was he by the unexpected
flash of colors.
"A simple piece of gold is it," cried
the comptroller. "This looks like it,
and he snatched the glittering bracelet
Here's the bracelet / bought in your
desk. How do you account for it? You
bought bracelet at the same shop, did
you?" he said sarcastically, as George
stammered out an explanation. ut
may be, but if you don't claim this
bracelet I do and what's more, Mrs.
OBrien does, too"
So saying, he closed the box with an
ominous click and started to return to
his private Office Then he came back
and inquired:
Where's the wrapper this thing came
in? This shows whether it was con-
signed to you or to me-
Alas! George had unwrapped the box
and destroyed the paper. Mr. OBrien
went to his room and George returned
to his desk with flushed face and dis
turbed mind, certain of one thing, that
even if this incident was closed he need
think no more of the coveted place of
expert accountant.
He found he could not keep his mind
on his work and presently he called the
office where Marion was employed and
asked for Miss Seymour. She had not
received bracelet by messenger OF ex-
press, and the hurried conversation left
George without clew to the mystery,
and Marion very much perplexed as to
what he meant by his questions.
When he went home that night it was
too late to call at the jewelers. to seek
an explanation, but he told the whole
story to Marion.
"Why, you foolish boy" she ex-
claimed. Don't you see what has hap
pened? The clerk, by mistake, sent my
bracelet to Mrs. OBrien and sent her
bracelet to you. The first thing I will
do tomorrow morning will be to call on
Mrs. OBrien and get my bracelet, and
az TIE same time relieve you CT the i'm
putation of stealing hers. Isn't it hor-
rid and low of them to think of such
thing?"
Marion was shown into the thickly
padded drawing room of the O'Briens
next cay, and had plenty of time to look
at the wonderful upholstery in the way
Mrs. O'Brien came bustling in. George
had not badly described the comptro)-
ler's wife-she was stout and vulgar.
and-yes, cunning. But there was
kind look back of the beady blackncss
of her eyes.
Marion explained why she had called.
Mrs O'Brien stared and burst into a
laugh
ITO be sure" she cried. ri remember
trumpery bit bracelet coming to the
house. thought it was foolish joke.
You shall have it at once, my dear, and
then you can feast your eyes OH mine"
She went into the hall and called
loudly.
"Finnette, Finnette! Apportez mong,
sill yous plat, cetter-cette bijouterie nou-
velle que j'ai recu recemmong"
There was short wait, and then the
stout lady came back with two jewelers.
cases. She clasped the great emerald
bracelet on her pudgy arm and held out
the other to Marion.
rs this little thing yours ?" she cried,
laughing "And a clerk in James Office
bought it for you? ! wonder he didn't
die of expansion of the heart"
Marion drew herself up proudly and
was about to speak, but Mrs. O'Brien
interrupted her.
Nov, don't get hufy, my DEAR she
want you to tell me the whole story.
You are engaged to this young man?
Well, when are you going to marry
him ?''
Marion took courage and confided the
truth to Mrs. O'Brien, who accompanied
the story with many 'Ohs" and "Ahs.''
"And he's qualified to take old o.
prey's place, is he?" cooed Mrs. O'Brien.
"Well, if that's SO, I'll see that he gets
it. Come along with me and we'll
drive straight down to James Office.
Finnette, Finnette, apportez mong
chapeau."
"Oh, Mrs. OBrien, this is too kind.
Surely, you are not going now
when you want thing DONE" quoth
Mrs O'Brien, "I've found that the only
way is to put on your bonnet and 60
out and do it. Finnette, apportez mong
chapeau.'
Thus it happened that on the next
night as Mrs. OBrien displayed her
gigantic ornament ON her pudgy arm at
the dinner fthe mayors lady, Marion
was showing George her tiny c,raiel of
gold, and III consequence OF his promo
ton was saying:
1T came too late for my birthday,
but it will dot will do beautifully for
a wedding present. willis Steel in
New Orleans Times Democrat.