The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-02-14
THAT CURSED OPAL
II Made Donor Of Gift Uneasy
When Her Friend Disappeared
sy GENE WILSON.

Name was out Of sorts. She felt
that she had every reason to be. ana
cursed her wrath accordingly,
The door walker. at other times
her beau ideal Of manly perfection.
after casting her smile Of conde-
scending affability which passed UNI
noticed. walked on down 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 life
and whose question Afforded excellent
opportunity for repartee, received
merely an absent-minded 1.-TWO aisles
down, as Name stared resentfuiiy
IL Bessie's massive golden pompadour,
which rivaled In 1uster the silver she
was selling at the wall counter.
And had she not every reason to be
lncensed? It was the same old story.
For two years she had gone with Jim.
During that time she had made her
SELF over into the kind Of girl ne pro
fessedly admired.
Had she not left on at least half
her puffs at his request? Had she
not lowered her cherished pompadour
Co quite common and unnoticeabie a.
mensions? Her earrings had been
sacrificed at the altar Of love, one BY
one her near diamond rings had fol-
lowed suit, and. last. oh. crowning
grief. her purple hat!
She no longer flirted with the other
fellows; no more did she feel II q
necessity to 60 out every night Of her
NE. In short, her every habit had
been changed to please this exactins
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,
b 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 inns
request, and then some, instantly at
&racted that individuals tickle atten-
tion to the exclusion Of all else.
Would Bessie give up her jewels
ana pompadour? Not she! She
slione more Respondent each day in
the things bitter thought with
which Jim presented her. Would she
stay at home evenings? Jim took her
to 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 Bees
sic.
At this point in her reflections she
was interrupted by customer who,
she was dimly: aware, had spoken sew.
eral times. She forced herself to pay
attention.
Il 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 1t on her wares
Those hatpins are awfuly swell
SO centsi" she remarked.
she doesn't wear hatpins yet.'
meekly suggested the would-be pur
chaser.
mo, Of course not. agreed Name
There's those pocketbooks, genuine
german silver, marked from 81. We're
selling q lot OF these; and there's
these little opal rings. real opals
$4.9S.r
Il think I'll take one Of the little
purses. Opals are so dreadfully un
lucky. you know"
Names interest was at last awalz
ened. In. daze she made out the
check and handed over the change.
Unlucky. were they? She cast 8
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 &C
together"
Bessie, rather overwhelmed at this
peaceful overture after week 81
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 /
hat this winter, Bessie? I'm afrait
I've got to wear my last winter.
black one.
Il thought I'd get lavender one
It goes so well with my hair. DOM
you think sol" Bessie replied ii
what seemed to Name snug satisfac
ton.
Yes" said Name, gritting hel
teeth, you go out so much you reall,
ought to get a new one. It's you
birthday next week. isn't It. I'm 60
ing to send you just little somethinJ
10 show you I'm sorry rye been !.