Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-02-22
THAT CURSED OPAL
It Made Donor Of GIFT Uneasy
When Her Friend Disappeared.
ny GENE WILSON.

after casting her n smile OF eonoe-
scending affabllIty which passed un'
noticed walked on dows the aisle IN
resentful establishment. Who. pray
was Name to ignore one OF his stand'
ing and--er-good looks?
A customer, whose station In ire
and whose question Afforded eScenen.
opportunity for repartee. receiver
merely an .nbsent-minded Two als,es
down" as Name stared resen'tuhy
at Bessie's massive golden pomnahour'
which rivaied In luster the silver shc
was selling at the wall counter
And had she not every reason to be
incensed? II was the same old story
For two wears she had gone with Jim.
During that time che had made her'
self over into the kind OF girl he pro-
fessedly admired
Had she not left on at least hait
her puffs at his REQUEST Had she
not lowered her cherished pomnadour
10 quite common and unnoticeahle d.
rnensions? Her earrings had been
sacrificed al tho altar OF love- one bv
one her pear-diamond rings hnd TO-
lowed euit and last oh. crownins
grief her purple hat,
She no LONGER firted with the other
fellows: no more did che feel II
recessitv m 20 out every night OF her
life Ir short her everv habit had
been changed TO please this exactins
man
What had hapuerede Two weeks
ago shS had introduced him to her
very best lady friend the girl to
whom she daily laid bare her heart.
to the great discontinue of custom
ers the one in short whom, next to
Jim she most loved and trusted
What was. the result? Bessie. who
was and who eloried in being all the
th'ngs she had ceased to be at Jim's
reorest and then some Instantly at
traced that Individuals fckle atten-
ton to tho exclusion of all else
Would peseie give up her Jewels
and porradour? Not she! She
ehone more resplerdent each day in
the th'nes-bitter thoueht-with
which lin presentes' her Would she
Etav az home evepines2 Jim took her
to a now and more attractive place
everv dav ne soon "a work was over,
while the deserted Name was hourly
forced to watch the glow OF triumph
in the eye of the now despised Bes-
sic
At THE rc'nt In her reflections she
was INTERRUPTED nv a customer who.
she wae dimlv aware had snoken sew.
eral times She forced herself to pay
attention
Il would like something to give a
NJ 4, a
you suggest something?" asked the
y<unc woman
Name tore her glance from the wall
counter ard turned II on her wares
Those hatpins are awfuly swell.
9s cents" she remarked
'.Sbe doesn't wear hatpins yet"
meekly suggested the would-be pur.
chaser
NO OF course not" agreed Name.
'There's those pocketbooks. genuine
german silver marked from 81 We're
selling LOT of these; and there's
these little opal rings. real opals.
81 90"
81 think I'll take one OF the little
purses Opals are so dreadfully I'M
lucky you know"
Names interest was at last awak.
sned In a daze she made out the
check and handed over the change
Unlucky. were they? She cast a
baieful glare at the unconscious Res
sic. which changed TO a smile OF pure
hypocrisy as she happened to turn
around
Say BESSIE" she called to her.
"when do you go to lunch? Let's go
together
Bessie. rather overwhelmed at this
peaceful overture after week Of
conspicuous snubs assented with aIac.
rity The die was cast
At lunch they chatted over every
known subject except Jim
What are YOU going to do for q
hat this winter. Bessie? I'm afraid
I've got to wear my last winters
black one"
Il thought I'D get lavender one
1t goes so well with my hair. don't
you think so?" Bessie replied in
| what seemed to Name snug satisfac-
ton
YES" said Name. gritting her
teeth you go out so much you really
ought TO get a new one It's your
D1rtnuay next week lSnt IL I'm 60
ing to send you Just little something
to show you I'm sorry I've been &C
| cross
| On the morning of her birthday
| Bessie was surprised and much at.
I fected at receiving little box con.
+; tanning dainty opal ring from her
| loving friend Mary.
! Name was on hand very early Mon,
/ day morning though she was so nerv.
| Gus that she arranged her curls. made
| OF real hair In i've different WAYS he.
| fore Pessie arrived TO all appearances
! as healthy and happy as ever and
! Overlooking with gratitude and pleas
| ure in her new ring
| All the morning she struck atti
| tudes which best displayed Il until
Name was aghast Had she only add
| ed to her rivals charms2 Would
| nothing happen to avenge her?
| She thought with dismay of the
| 81 90 with which she had intended &c
buv new shoes Really her last years