El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-12-22
ALover of Pearls
BY Ada Neil.

- HEN RalstOn entered the din
ing room it seemed to be quite
full, but presently, in a dis
tant corner he observed a small table
with two chairs, only one Of which
was occupied. As he approached the
solitary diner rose, smiling, and held
out his hand
Ny dear Ralston, this is indeed
pleasure. have only arrived. Just
received your letter"
you viii be my groomsmanE'
"Decidedly-that is, if the honor is
S'i YES 9ps Levine was TO officiate. but
only falling you
Happy dog, RalstonH
You have seen my bride elect, War
once at a BAH. An adorable vision.
Her jeWels-ahw
THAT is her one innocent extrava--
gance-the one little vanity 1 should
wish for riches to crafty. Among ali
Jewels, she loves pearls.
And among men you happen to be
the pearl-eh2 Ha, ha, hal But though
YOU are flushing and glad as becomes
an imminent bridegroom, you seem at
the same time a httle-just little
Z confess it Not little, but deeply
sad You have seen beautiful flow
ers?"
"Often."
They symbolic my happiness. You
have seen them threaded on a zine
wire that held them natural 1or time,
but all the while was cutting and
bleeding themE
We'll, through all my happiness
runs Just such a wire-a cutting,
strangiing. decorating thought"
I sympathize, Ralston-
Warner, you know EnfieldE
Warner started perceptibly.
.'No-that is-slightly, perhaps. /
fancy I have heard the name
"Ah, the dearest of fellows-the
faithfulest friendi We love each 9TH
er. Warner, in the way Of Tennyson'
poems. It is for him I am sad II only
he could have reiOiced with me In THIS
hour, my happiness would have been
cOmpleteH
''Yes-that is-yes, dead. Warner
YOU could not understand what II Is
to mourn such a friend
warner did not reply. He had fin
ished a rather hasty dinner, ana dip
ping his fingers in the glass bowl he
wiped them on his serviette and rose
you will excuse me, Ralston, nave
an appointment-very important
Certainly, I shall see you in the
morning You will drive over early
Warner. hurrying out through the
dining room door, almost cannoned
against a man who was Just entering
This man was young and handsome
but there were lines Of suffering on
his face, and among his dark hair
many gray threads
After surveying the crowded dining
room, he was about to withdraw When
the head waiter, pressing forward, IN
dictated the place just Vacated by War
ner. seated with his back to the door,
RaIston had not seen the newcomer
enter and continued TO SIT just az
Warner had left him, with MS neau
bowed medftatiVely in his hand nav
ing suspended the process Of eating
in a sudden access of grief for his lost
friend He was surprised thaL War
ner had not recOllected his friend
name in association with the sensa-
tionaI pearl case two years ago, ana
while he Doudered these patnful mem
cries the waiter had cleared away
the debris of Warmers dinner ana ialu
a fresh cover. Even after the stranger
was seated Ralston continued with
dropping head. to regret what ne knew
to be irrevocable. The waiter coming
forward with the menu murmured
something.
very late. and do not wish TO detain
Won Therefore I will just skip the
first three courses. Just bring me
which ever entree you would choose
s.rThe waiter glided away The bowed
head was erect in a flash. To Ralston,s
I knowledge no other man ever spoke in
| that gentle way. no other man ever
( showed such consideration for under
I lings.
| Enfield he said.
! The stranger was mOmentarily
startled, but recovered quickly.
That is my name" he replied coolly
I Trembling, flushing. radiating, Rails
/ ton held out his hand. The other re-
/ called as from some lOathsOme thing.
/ Never" he uttered firmly
/ But. Enfield I'm RalstOn. Don't
Bou know Why is tEis?'
/ yes. I do know: that is why"
ct don't quite understand.
| "Oh, no, OF course not Don't even
! remember, suppose, where I've been
= these two years.
! "Ah. yes I do
And how I got there%
No"
'.Hypocrite and traitor"