The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-09-07

ent She had never had q black pin
since father died, and I knew she
would like one, and that Peck & Sny-
der always had a pretty assortment, so
I went in there to buy it. For, though
theirs is such a stylish store, they are
honest and will tell you just what
things are, and their prices for such
things are no higher than they are
elsewhere. And they always treat
their poor customers as politely as they
do their best ones."
"Did you get one?"
"YeSm, l bought her a very pretty
one for 4 dollar, and she was so pleased
with it, though she said l ought not to
spend my money for her. It's the first
money l ever earned, and 1 did love to
get it for ner. My mother is so good
nothing is too good for her." Matte
said, her face flushing with pride and
tenderness.
Was this truth, or only clever act
ing?
But didn't you have a ring on your
finger that day? neaer saw you wear
n here"
For answer Matte took n little box
from the bureau drawer, and opening
it, laid in Mrs. Lawson's hand 4 we'll
worn gold ring. On the back of it, two
interlinked hearts. in the style OF long
ago, made a device very much the
same shape as Jacky's diamond clus-
ter.
Grandmother gave me this" said
sTo+,o sEtlo L. ca 1-fk l Il
was a ring grandfather gave her be-
fore they were married, and she has
always worn it, but she wanted to give
me something and had nothing else to
give. She said l must wear it all the
time to remember her-aS ii l could
ever forget her-dear heart! But l am
not used to wearing a ring, and I'm al
ways afraid should break it or lose it
l put it on to go home, so she would
see l wore it. That wasn't wicked de-
ccption, was it?"
Mrs. Lawson smiled as she said: II
am sure not" though the girls simple
u~tteranceS had almost moved her to
tears. She glanced about the room, so
lei and orderly in its simplicity, saw
Mates well-worn Bible lying on the
stand at the head of the bed, and. bend
ing over, she kissed the girls cheek.
u believe you and trust in you,
Matte" she said.
''Oh, thank you" cried Matte. the
tears falling again. ut makes me
happier than | have been since the
ring was lost. l do hope it will be
found"
But days and weeks went by and no
trace of it.
Might as well look for a needle in a
haystack as to hunt for it further"
Judge Lawson said, and everybody con-
cerned had nearly given up all hope of
ever seeing it again.
One raw April day Jacky had been
off in the maple woods t n sugaring
and came home just at sunset, damp
and cold. The lounge behind the coal
steve was always her favorite warm
ing place, so she sought it at once and
sat there resting and warming herself.
The level sunset shafts shot in at the
west window and glanced across the
sheet Of zinc under the stove. As
Jacky looked down she saw IN the sun
light the faint impression of a small
circle on the zine close to her feet.
An inspiration seized her. STOPPING
down, she pulled up the loose edge of
the zinc a t%ritle, reached her fingers
under and drew out the lost ring, as
good as ever, save for the dust it had
collected.
The whole thing was plain. She
probably pulled off the ring with her
mitten that night; it fell unheard to
the floor, and in moving her feet about
she pushed it underneath the zinc.
There it had lain till many feet rub
bling over the zinc had made n bright
place just the shape of the ring, which
finally betrayed its hiding place
Good Housekeeping.