The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-02-28
THAT CURSED OPAL
It Made Donor Of Gift Uneasy
When Her Friend Disappeared
BY GENE WILSON.

The floor walker, at other tlihe0
her beau ideal of manly perIec'ion'
after casting her a smile OF conue
.scending affability which passed
noticed. walked on down the aisle ~
resentful establishment VINO, pray
was Name, to ignore one OF MS s'Ano
ing. and-er-good looks?
A customer whose station In hle
and whose question afforded exceiien.
opportunity for repartee, receiveu
merely ana minded 1.-TWO ais,es
down" as Name stared resentfully
at Bessie's massive golden pompaoour'
which rivaled in luster the silver sue
was selling at the wall counter.
And had she not every reason 10 NC
incensed? It was the same old story
For two years she had gone Win jill
During that time she had made her-
self over into the kind of girl he pro
fessedly admired. -,
Had she not left of at least nan
her puffs at his request? Had sne
not lowered her cherished pompadour
to quite common and unnoticeable dl-
mansions? Her earrings had been
sacrificed at the altar Of love, one Dy
one her near-diamond rings had 1oi-
lowed suit, and. last, oh, GROWING
grief. her purple hat!
She no longer flirted with the other
fellows; no more did she feel 1t a
necessity to go out every night OF her
life. In short, her every habit had
been changed to please this exactlng
man.
What had happened? Two weeks
ago she 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 gloried in being all the
things she had ceased to be at Jim's
request, and then some, instantly at
tracted that individuals tickle atten-
ton to the exclusion Of all else.
Would Bessie give up her jewels
and pompadour? Not she! She
shone more resplendent each day in
the things-bitter thought-with
which Jim presented her. Would she
stay at home evenings? Jim took her
to a new and more attractive place
every day as soon as 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 this point in her reflections she
was interrupted by a customer who,
she was dimly aware, had spoken sew
eral times. She forced herself to pay
attention
"I would like something to give a
little girl Of ten on her birthday. Can
you suggest something?" asked the
young woman.
Name tore her glance from the wall
counter and turned it on her wares.
Those hatpins are awfuly swell,
SO cents!" she remarked
"She doesn't wear hatpins yet"
chaser.
Mo, of course not" agreed Name.
There's those pocketbooks, genuine
german silver, marked from ST. We're
selling a lot Of these; and there's
these little opal rings, real opals.
$4.98"
II think I'll take one of the little
purses. Opals are SO dreadfully un-
lucky, you know"
Names interest was at last awak-
ened In daze she made out the
check and handed over the change
Unlucky, were they? She cast a
baleful glare at the unconscious Bes-
sic, which changed to 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 a week OF
conspicuous snubs, assented with alac-
rity. The die was cast.
At lunch they chatted over every
known subject except Jim.
what are you going to do for a
hat this winter. Bessie? I'm afraid
I've got to wear my last winters
black one"
II thought I'd get a lavender one.
It goes SO well with my hair, don t
you think SOP" 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 new one. It's your
birthday next week, isn't it. I'm go
ing to send you just little something
to show you I'm sorry I'VE been SO
Cross"
On the morning of her birthday
Bessie was surprised and much az.
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 five different ways be-
fore Bessie arrived. to all appearances
as healthy and happy as ever. and