Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-12
The Turquoise Jar.


at various times and in divers
places. for he never hurried even TO
keep an appointment. Time, his own
time he declared. was the one thing
in life he could command as he
pleased Sometimes he Inconvenience
people as he Inconvenience Ellen at
the present moment. for their grand.
son. William. who was staying with
them white his parents enjoyed a
motor trip, had whooping cough, and
II was the day the doctor used serum.
There WAS nobody with William but
Carrie, the maid. and while she was
thoroughly trusty, he would want his
era rdmother.
Il promised to be home by T." Ellen
sighed. sitting on the edge of her
chair in The restroom of the store
where she had told Hollis he might
find her. Perhaps / shouldn't have
come anyway. but Hollis doesn't ask
me very often. and-and it is our we'd
ding anniversary"
Yes. she remembered that fact, al.
though Hollis did not. Twenty.eight
years married, Difficult years, too.
for Hollis was not an easy man TO
live With. And they had lost one Of
their boys. That wound. though heal
ed. was tender. Still William made up
for lot. They adored William.
He will be so pleased with what I
got for him." she thought. glancing
at the bulky parcel beside her. The
Indian outfit had taken all the money
she had brought except a few coins.
She rummaged in her handbag and
found 90 cents. She was inspired TO
gel little souvenir of her trip and
~, sS- IS ~
trouble 10 get her anything.
Just without the restroom door was
a group Of tables laden with such
small objects s Ellen was now in
search Of A CLEAN Of blue and gold
Forty minutes before she had passed
that table without being attracted.
But the twitching of a lamp-pull had
flooded the area with light. The
salesCirl who had thus illuminated her
offerings smiled winninely above
them. And indeed they were won-
drously beautiful-jars. beggar bowls
and trays made Of beaten brass inset
with turquoise.
Ellen loved turquoise. Once Hollis
had given her q turquoise pin and
told her that her eyes were as blue
as the stone. That was during their
courtship. but ever since turquoise
had precious meaning for her. She
took up small jar. examining it and
the label through her glasses. II was
marked 30 cents. How odd She had
just 80 cents in her purse She felt a
happy thrill.
I will take this, please" she said.
The pretty young salesgirl wrapped
the jar deity. Ellen laid down her
tiny collection OF coins. The salesgirl
glanced from them 10 the sweet. gen.
tie face OF The little middle-age lady.
THE jar is So she explained.
''Nine-coliars. OH
They are all hand made, you
know. The brass is genuine. So IS
the turquoise. Il comes out OF the
mines there" She unwrapped the
jar. showed the label 10 Ellen, showed
her the labels Of other pieces. There
was no mistake.
How stupid Of me: IL am afraid
my glasses were at fault" Ellen muir
INJURED. rather helplessly. She gath
cred up the coins. stuffed them into
her bag with a trembling hand. Il
am sorry 10 have made you so much
trouhie-for nothing" she said as she
turned away.
In the restroom she sought Tar
Garner. Tears came TO her eyes. She
falt embarrassed, ashamed. she nao
wanted that jar-like everything. but
Of course even If she had had -. that
was too much to pay for mere trine
which doubtless nobody but hersen
would care for.
There was step. II was the safes
girl. holding out a small, snowy hano-
kerchief. You dropped II, she salo.
Ellen thanked her. i am sorry ABOUT
the Jar" she added. Il am sorry;
too. ! wanted you TO have H. lot !
saw you could appreciate H. snniieo
the girl
Alone. Ellen studied a great paint
ing on he wall before her. II was a
Gerry Of a famous seascape. Presently
n faded and quite another picture ap-
reared in it's place. And now Ellen
saw ire village where she had been
horn. she saw the old cottage and the
ward with it's hollyhocks, where she
waited SO many evenings for Hoilis'
watching down the street toward the
end Of the car line He always came SO
eagerly on. he had loved her fondiy
then. but e Years made difference.
Business, financial cares had pusnen
her into the background OF ms NE
She was no longer his sweetheart with
birt hdays 10 ~ remembered, but ms
trust. dependable old wife
Ellen" She looked UP. Hollis was
bending oyer her. his hand on her
shoulder. an amused look in his Keen
dark eyes. Doing. Ell
mo, On. no" She sprang up, col
oring,
Come along. What's this?" He
took up her parcel Something for
Bill. III be bound. You never get
anything for yourself"
She followed him out, nodding 10 the
szieSggrl, who looked after them with
q smile. The car was waiting: well
used, powerful machine, which was
sure " get item home in 80 minutes
q, most Hollis got in behind the
wheel: she took her piace beside him
He Touched the starter button, and
the heavy engine roared into life. But.
instead VI shifting gears, he clapped
hls nand DpDYg his poeket.
Take care u that" he said, put
ting small parcel in her lap. Some
thing for you
''fso,ne' bing-~for me" Her hear;