The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-12-16
THE BABY'S RING.

As he hurried up Park row he saw
familiar figure in the crowd ahead
OF him, aud, dodging the cable cars,
hc crossed to the other aide OF the
street. He did not care to meet anv
of his ncquintanccs Mt that time. Hc
turned his coat collar up TO his cara
IL was dark and cold, and dri2zling
rain was falling. He did not expect
to have that coat much longer, and
intended to make the most OF II while
IL was still in his possession. He
glanced quickly at tho numbers over
the doors of the shops ns ho passed
thom, aud, after going short dis
tance, he stopped and looked up to
where three big brass balls we're hang
ing over the walk.
"rhis is the place." he said TO him
self. al ought to know IL before very
long without stopping to look. 4"
He opened the door and walked in.
Behind the counter stood little,
hawk-eyed man, who bowed and
rubbed his hands together nervously.
"Bad night, Mr.. Pettibone," said
the little man. "Guess we'rc in for
long rain. Getting colder, is it? Too
bad too bad"
Mr.. Pettibone thought he detected
n trace OF sarcasm in the mans words.
He took off his overcoat and smiled.
But tho smile was forced one. There
was no reason for him to smile just
then. Indeed, there had not been for
several months past.
slow much?" asked the little man,
taking tho coat and examining it
closely.
''Same sum. Four and half"
"Oh, too much, Mr.. Pettibone.
Make it three"
"But you gave me four and half
the last time" Mr.. Pettibono pro.
tested.
Eyes, know. But this coat isn't
as good as it was. Goats don't last
forever! Look at that hole. Three
dollars. Couldn't give you any more. Z"
"Well, make it three, them" said
Mr.. Pettibone, with sigh.
He took the ticket tho little man
gave him and walked out. For n
moment he stood in front of the shop
in tho rain, aud shivered. Ho looked
down the street and watched the
crowds hurrying hither and thither.
In the glow of the lights he saw the
raindrops. swept by the wind, and he
began to wonder where he would find
a place OF shelter.
"Confound the rain I" he muttered.
Just my lnck to have it begin when
I had to hook the coat. Luck g
always been against mo since -
since"
He turned and looked at the things
in the pnwnbroker's window. There
was tray full of rings lying close to
the glass. Perhaps his own was among
them. He looked them over closely.
He gave a start, aud pressed his face
TO the glass In the middle OF the
tray was baby's ring. plain gold
band, with name engraved on it. He
stopped that he might get nearer
view of it.
'It's the same little ring" he said
to himself. "It's her own little ring.
There's the same mark on it,"
J ''She must be bard up" he NUT
tered at last
| The next moment he was back in
the shop.
'That ring" he said, pointing il
Sut to the little man. "Who left il
hersa Yes; know 1t may not be
business to tell, but I've got to
know"
The little man thought to himself
as he slowly rubbed his hands to.
gether, and, aftef time. he answered.
"Sseing it's you. I'll look it up
though it's gone on sale, and perhaps
I can't tell you. I think ! rsmsmbe
the young woman. She has been here
several times since. I think this is ii,
Yes, here's the name and address. lef