Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-10-29

ed to work miracles. In the sun Of
prosperity they expanded like stunted
buds, and a flower of romance bloom
ed when they entered the theater.
The play was a romance, an old fash
toned love story that set their hearts
to beating to a new tune.
And when the motor sped them
homeward Ira Bump opened his heart
to Freda Lindsay. He told her about
the pearl he had found and how a
Maiden lane jeweler had offered him
$1,000 for it.
al wanted to keep it overnight. I'm
going to take it to him in the morning
and collect the money! said Ira.
laughing like a boy.
Freda thought it was all wonderful,
just like a story book.
81 suppose you'll be leaving Mrs.
Hecker's," she said wistfully.
"Not yet" said Ira.
81 am glad" said Freda simply.
"How glad are your he whispered
boldly.
"very glad,' admitted Freda.
81 am thinking of buying a chicken
farm. Do you like the country?' ask
ed Ira.
I'm a country girl. I'm a misft In
the city," sighed Freda.
At that moment it entered Ira
Bumps head that q chicken farm
would be very lonesome and dull In
deed If Freda Lindsay was not there
with her sweet, sympathetic smile and
her quick appreciation of everything
he said and did. 1t would be very
pleasant to have a little wife to adore
one-to buy pretty frocks for her, to
have her waiting for him at the door.
Immediately Ira Bump proposed to
Freda Lindsay. He discovered that
he loved her. Was not his remember
ing the pink voile proof?
Freda confessed that she loved the
quiet bookkeeper. and so it happened
that they re-entered Mrs. Hecker's
front door engaged.
81 must buy you a ring" whispered
Ira as they parted on the landing.
"What shall 1t Def"
"a pearl" said Freda softly.
When he was alone in his own o
Ira sat down on the edge of the bed
and reviewed the events of the past
twelve hours.
He had seer the jewelers and after
learning the value of his find he had
gone to the bank and drawn some
money. He had bought the evening
clothes-he had always wanted a suit
he had dared to ask Miss Lindsay to
go with him, and now they were en-
gagged, and all on account of the pearl.
He thrust his fingers in the pocket
where he had put it wrapped in tissue
paper.
1t was not there-the pocket was
empty!
Even then he did not guess the truth.
He believed he had mistaken the pock-
ct. But n after another proved to
be empty. His pulses leaped with fear
as he frantically searched his clothes.
He searched the floor and the stairs
and even the lower hall. His clothes
were covered with lint and dust when
at last he faced his disheveled reflec-
t4OA Ia AAo 1u1AtOkf oA0 thO
truth was forced Upon him that he had
lost the pearl!
Like Cinderella. he was shOrn of his
splendor. He felt himself sinking back
into his old routine of dullness, and
his spirit rebelled. And there was
Freda!
Ira Bump groaned aloud.
He had told Freda about the pearl,
and he had given her to understand
that he would buy a chicken farm with
the proceeds. Now, without the pearl
he was not able to promise her very
much. He had decided it would take
several years longer to save enough
money from his salary, and while FIRE.
da was waiting some more fortunate
fellow might come along and win her
away.
"Tve got to tell her," he said dog
gedly as he turned out his light.
Ira did not see Freda the neXt morn
ing. He ate his breakfast hurriedly
and fastened out to put an advertise
ment in the papers and to search the
motorcar he had used the night be-
fore.
1t was a very pale and determined
looking little man who met Freda
Lindsay outside the public school when
the session was ended. Freda blushed
when she saw him and put her hand in
his arm with a sweet air of proprietor
ship.
Il didn't expect you," she faltered.
II had to come" said Ira seriously.
1--WE had a great blow, Freda."
"Tell me about it." she said quickly.
"I've lost the pearl he said bluntly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry" she cried.
His heart throbbed faster as he felt
her grasp tighten on his arm.
"Of course | haven't got much saved
up" he confessed. Il thought some
day I'd buy a chicken farm. but 1
couldn't just now. and it's only fair to
Won TO say that all I've pOt i'm thn world