The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-30
The Amethyst
Pin


There is such a thing as being too
conscientious remarked young Mrs.
Langton, dolefully.
Have you suffered from it," asked
her friend.
"You may smile If you like, but l
have suffered from the effects of the
abnormally developed conscience of
my mother-in-law. Do you remember
the amethyst pin you admired so
much when I wore 1t to your lunch.
eon?'e
Indeed, do. It was so pretty with
your wisteria gown"
ut was" declared Mrs. Langton. at
was lovely with that little dress. And
to think that bought suit and hat
with special reference to that pin!
The worst of it is that Walter doesn't
sympathtze with me at all. He just
laughs and says that untruths are al.
ways punished in some way or Other"
Il can't offer my sympathy until
you tell me about It," limited her
friend.
1T was this way. Mamma Langton
thinks that Walter and l are very ex.
travagant. She was Mortified at the
amount Of money we spent in furnish.
ing the house, and when as an after.
thought we bought the clock, though
any one will admit that it looks DIS If
it had been made for the spot at the
turn of the stairway, she almost
wept. made up my mind then and
there that the next thing we bought
which couldn't be classed with the
necessities of life would have to be
purchased by stealth.
"One day when I met my husband
down town asked him to stop for a
moment at the window where the pin
was displayed. mentioned casually
that 1t would be sweet with my new.
est dress, adding that of course 1t was
out Of the question for us to buy it.
Walter is of peculiar disposition
Just tell him that he oughtn't to
spend his money for particular arti.
Gle. and he straightway is determined
to have that very thing Well, he
went in and bought the amethyst.
suggested that we say nothing about
the matter to his mother for awhile,
and I. had worn the pin number of
times before she saw it."
Then what happened?"
1T was one day when l was dress.
ing in great hurry. l asked her to
come to my room and hook my waist
for me. forgetting that the pin was on
my dressing table.
That is something new she said,
picking up the ornament. Where did
you get it?'
"'Oh. that is just a pin found l
replied, anxious to get out of it the
best way l could.
When?' she asked.
Yesterday l returned.
Then it is your duty to adver.
tise it,
cit isn't worth it, said. for the
stone isn't genuine
"'That is where you are mistaken
she insisted. The stone Is a fine
color and the setting is beautiful
Then will wear it today said,
reaching out my hand for it,
"'No. wouldn't If l were YOU she
objected. Where did you find it?'
"'Under the seat of the street car.
IL saw 1t glitter. you know l an.
swered, getting in deeper and deeper.
"'You want to find the real owner,
don't you, Beatrice?' she asked, in her
severest manner.
"'Of course, do l stammered.
Then I will lock it up in my little
safe until you are sure you may wear
1t with clear conscience And she
marched off with it.
Next day Walter and went to New
York and were gone week. Almost
the first thing Mamma Langton said
when we entered the house on our re.
turn was, Well, Beatrice, found the
owner OF the amethyst pin!'
II merely gasped, and she went on:
OF course. you wouldn't have enjoyed
wearing it until everything possible
had been done to find the >,wner. so I
deemed 1t best to put an advertise
ueut III Tue newspapers. had num-
Der of answers and one of them de.
scribed the pin almost exactly, SO
replied to it. A very nice woman
called and after she had paid me for
the notice gave her the pin. She was
delighted
What is her address?' asked in
choked voice.
81 don't know. I'm sure. But what
does it matterT asked my mother-in-
law.
Nov my lovely amethyst is gone
forever!"
Excuse me for laughing" apollo
gized Mrs. Langton's friend, "but it is
funny. you know"