Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-09-25
earthly lives, and

crutches all their earthly lives, and
yours has WINGS
Sonia would be silent, but smile that
rare smile of hers that fairly stole
the heart of you. She was twenty
three, and it had only been tour
months since she had come to New
York to dance her beautiful Russian
dances and make fortune. Then
one night, as she had been returning
from the theater, her car had crashed
into another and she had been in
jured. And, after slow months OF
pain, her money had gradually
slipped away, like her new found
friends, until only Title, the little
black eyed east side maid, remained
faithful. Now, to her hands, Sonia
instructed her last treasure. She had
held it back from sentiment, and yet
she did not know the donor"
1t had come to her the first night
in New York-sent without card in
bouquet Of gardenias, heavy with
, fragrance. Often she loved to open
the ivory velvet case, with it's, corners
of gold, and look at the curious gem.
1t was rounded on one side and con-
caved on the other, something like
reducing glass. And it changed color
almost constantly. 1t was a super
stition, of course, but Sonia came to
fancy that on the days when she was
happy the gem was clear and rose
tinted, brilliant and perfect, but when
she was unhappy or ill it clouded and
dulled into a pearl tone, deeper and
deeper like twilight.
| Without penny left, she had given
! it to Tillie to dispose of, and Title
! went unwillingly up the steep, narrow
stairs Of the old-fashioned building
| into the shop on the second floor.
There was one other customer bend
ing over 4 case in dim corner. Al
a desk in the back sat an old man,
working with delicate tools at a
hand-chased bracelet. He came for
ward slowly and took the case from
her hand.
81 want to sell it," said Title in her
most business-like way. i,
where did you get th1s! asked
the man, after pause.
From the lady l work for. she
don't want her name used.
He walked around the cases TO
where the other man stood and spoke
| in a low but audible tone, for Title S
ears were sharp. ;.
at has come to use of it's own volt
| ton, prince"
The other took the case and re-
garded the gem in silence, but Tillte
caught glimpse of his face. Surely
! it was very handsome, she thought,
and the old man had said prince.
Titles east-side heart began to tlut-
| ter excitedly. Her voice trembled
when he came to her and questioned
her in his deep rich voice, as courtly
and kind as could be. But still she
was stubborn. No, she would not tell
the lady's name. She was sick, and
! 1t was not right.
And she wishes to dispose of this:
yes?"
Right away. She amt got any
money for anything. And she'll never
dance again. She broke her ankles,
guess, and something went wrong
with her back, too, when the car
smashed up
"Ah, so: She is in her own home,
yes?'
mo. In the hospital, and if we
don't sell this she'll be charity case
next week. Oh, won't you buy it,
please?"
The dealer spoke up.
1T is the same, is it not, sir?"
The prince bowed his head looking
at the gem as it lay now in his palm.
81 will purchase 1t from her" he
said. II will make out the check,
and YOU will see that it is certified
for me, Stoll. Listen, my girl. l will
not buy this gem, tell your mistress,
but l will make her loan on it, for
have no right to take advantage
of her circumstances, and it Is worth
far more than she realizes. will
give you a check for Ave thousand
now. If she needs more you will
come back here and tell Stoll what
you require. That is all
whats your royal highness
name" asked Tillie bravely. She'll
want to know"
He detached a seal charm from a
black silk fob and gave it to her.
"You may give this to her in surety
for her gem"
Tillie never forgot the face of Sonia
Laviloff when she looked upon the
charm. The check lay on the cover
lid unnoticed, but the color came
into the girls face and she tried tt
rise on her elbow.
Take 1t back to him." she ordered
And the check. might have known
where the gem came from, but Persia
! is far away. You will take it back
at once. Wait, Tillie, l will tell yor
something, for you have been kind tt
me, and my one friend here. danced