The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-23
WHAT HIS BOOT HELD.


Bertie Sinclair was looking very cross
Had he not been engaged to pretty Jennie
Douglas for two months. and had he not
looked forward for weeks to last night.
when he had been invited to ball at her
fathers house and to stay till this morn
iDgs
And what disappointment IL had
been There was Jennie. flirting all
the evening-positively flirting-with
that fool Jack Price anu when he han
caught her after the last dance to tell
her what no thought OF her. instead Of
making pretty apologies and Offering TO
kiss and bs friends, as he fully expected,
what had she done? Actually blamed
him-innooent, blameless him-for talk
ing too much to her cousin Maud, do
clined To listen to his reply. and ended by
leaving him ana going to in bed a hun.
But this WAS not all. There was some
thing sharp and cutting In hls boot that
was becoming positively excrucisting as
b, went along. At this rate he should
soon DO lamed. No, he could stand IL no
longer Besides. why should ho penanoe
himselfY Here was retired corner.
whore little bootblaok piled his trade.
Here he would obtain relief.
NO l don't want u shire. but I'll
give you twopence IL you II get my boot
oil and let me see what's liz H..
no srihHius hteio iehoW WIS quiSh W
comply.
tie unlaced and pulled off tho boot
and thrust his hand In in moment.
We'll, Of all tho rum things Look
here, sir" he exclaimed, and held up To
Berthe something sparkling in his grim.
only too we'll.
1t was ring. pretty diamond ring,
that he himself had chosen and placed
on Jennie's pretty finger: Her engage
ment ring. and she had desecrated 10
thus! To show him her contempt, to in
suit his love to the uttermost, she had
cast it thus emphatically under his feet
Cruel, faithless Jennie
1he longest day must end mt last how
ever, a fact We ali know, yet all feel
doubtful about now and then, and
Bertie released with great stream of
other city men, made his way bacS 10
the station.
That gentleman looks as IL he would
bite, whispered little lady who sat OPP
posite to him in the train.
And BERTHE. overhearing, agreed read
lily. he was lingering that fatal ring In
his pocket, aud feeling as If he should
never be disposed to smile again.
The pleasant spring evening. full OF
lilac fragrance and the futter of young
leaves, served to deepen his depression
as he made his way to the pretty house
where Jennie Douglas lived.
1t was empty and silent tonight. Her
little sisters were not, as usual. playing
nbort, and the tennis court was quite
deserted. No sound came from the house
tho cheerful, large fari ily home used TO
resound with much laughter and song
and the patter OF ohildren's feet.
He paused u moment in the porch bo.
fore he rang, and so gave time TO little
lady, who chanced To be standing at a
window up stairs. 10 come flying down
and open the door for him herself.
Berthe" said Jennie's voice through
the twilight. Bertie is Ia youY'
'Yes. Jennia.' said the young man
pravely, and 81 Q who was used To very
different greeting looked up surprised.
You're not going to be cross againf'
she asked with "a charming pout. You
know I never mean snything-and you
began it,
"Will you come into tho garden for q
minute. JeDnieS i want to speak To you. "
- shan't stop if you begin to scold. she
nonsense and I've had something that
really worried mo today"
so have !, Jennie" And he drew the
ring from his pocket II cannot tell you
how IL has grisved me to find this dis
carded from your hand.
Bat Jennia, with little scream. had
sprung uDon the treasure.
"Oh. BERTHE Berthe That's the very
thing i have never taken it from my
finger since you put IL on know l had
1t safe last night because IL always KISS
IL good night after l bad said my
prayers dear. And this morning il was
gone. AMI / have beon so miserable about
it all day. Do tell me whore you found
it, BERTHE"
You had 10 last night, uesr?' he cues
toned. Then how on earth had il got
inside my boot this morning.
'fIpside your whaty"
My boot. F." he repeated rather shyly,
for really ths confession sounded too un-
romantic in all that poetry OF twilight
and love.
He slipped IL once more on her finger
and stood in silent content for moment
ontemplntiDg it.
but why. Gearg' she questioned in
nocently. turning her treasure round and
round. "You knew 10 was safe. and l
think you might have teleRraphoG 10 me.
You might have romem bereu how wor-
ried 1 should be To lose 10. I"
Jennie, / thought you meant to give
IL back"
Jennie wns looking shyly at ths
diamonds n she twisted them, glimmer-
ing in the twilight.
:" / know how it was" she murmurod