Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-02-28
HER UNLUCkY OPAL
by a. {. DENNlsoN.

Despite the fact that opals have
been considered unlucky, Louise Win
ton insisted upon selecting this
precious stone for her engagement
ring.
The colorful beauty Of the Jewel
held q mysterious fascination for her
as 1t glowed In its rim Of diamonds.
All the hues of sunset seemed impris-
oned in the tiny hemisphere. She
laughed when friends commented. 1T
is beautiful, Louise: but what .
strange engagement ring to choose!
Aren't you afraid to wear IT." Louise
was thoroughly sensible girl, and
could not imagine any ones being
foolishly superstitious; and her f.
ance, George Livingstone. being q
practical business man, they scorned
the tradition concerning the opal.
Livingstone manufactured automo-
biles, and his high-powered machines
quickly gained q reputation for speed.
At the time when the speed craze
ruled the world the first 1906 model
was built for racing, and was com
pleted only two weeks before the time
scheduled for the Vanderbilt cup race.
Taking Louise, he started for Long
Island in q touring car to see the try
out" ~.
They viewed the huge monster,
which, like the dragons Of fairy lore.
snorted flames from its exhaust-pipe
nostrils. George Livingstone loved
anything which savored OF risk or dar-
ing. So the genius suggested, Why
not take Louise and yourself around
the course? You are a capable driver.
and she has never ridden in racer;
besides. the owner should make the
initial 'try-out' II he is q true lover
Of the sport" ,. H. y,
Come. Louise. Jump in. and I'll
give you the ride OF your life" And
he did. #&5
The power released, the car sped
forward at the rate Of forty-ave miles
per hour; but George could not stand
cautious driving for any length OF
time when he was cognizant Of the
fact that more power was in reserve;
SO he increased the supply Of gas.
Louise, at first delighted, now chung
panic-stricken with fear to the sides
Of her seat. Then she noticed small
figure dart from the roadside and
stand directly in the path Of the
speeding monster. She screamed. and
George quickly threw on the emerg-
ency brake and shut off the power;
but too late! The child fell beneath
the wheels Of the Juggernaut.
They tenderly lifted the little form
and placed it across their knees, in
tending to rush for the hospital. In
changing from second to third speed
the gears became locked, and in his
excitement, George released the clutch
too quickly. and the entire transmits
sion was ripped off, A farmer with
his truck wagon driving along the lit
tie crossroad was hailed with Joy, and
the three occupants Of the helpless
racer were driven to the hospital,
where the child was given medical
attention. The doctors could not
state whether the injuries were fatal;
so George was cent to the magis.
trate's Office and then to Jail to await
. trial. The irate and grief-stricken
parents Of the little girl would not
consent to his release on bail, SO he
was detained for six weeks. until the
child either showed signs Of improve
ment or died. George became wreck
and mentally. y:
He hoped and prayed but for one
thing-that the child might live and
his conscience be once again free and
clear. Louise, with true womanly
courage, tried her utmost to console
him, but to no avail. Even his love
for her seemed to have been crushed
with the bones Of the child.
The brightness LETT her eyes and
the laughter died from her voice; she
longed for the old-time companion
ship, the protective comfort OF his af-
lection, which were so dear to her.
Gazing at her ring one afternoon. she
deplored the fact that 1t no longer
meant the binding together Of their
hearts and, sobbing in the anguish of
her soul, she removed 1t from her
finger. II Z. +
Forgotten. it lay on the dressing ta-
bic for several days; and while
searching for a lost pin, her eyes
rested on the ring. Noticing its queer
she picked 1t UP to ex-
anime 1t more closely-the opal fell
from the center in fragments.
poor opal! Sorrow has broken
your heart also; or can it be that you
bring only i'll luck to those who love
you?" She. tossed 1t in q drawer and
attired herself for her daily journey
to Long Island. - VI.
When she entered the jail, she saw
George sitting in the waiting room.
and with a glad cry FASTENED to him.
He folded her in his arms. kissing
the sweet, pale face many times.
Dear heart, little Elsie is pronounced
out of danger; and am free to go
home" Noticing the absence Of her
ring, he pointed to the finger where
he had placed It. NJ. Y. #.5: 81 @,
This morning, George. l discov.
cred the opal shattered" q. a].,
That accounts for our turn OF
luck" he said. Buffalo Express.