The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-19
WHAT HIS BOOT HELD


And what "A disappointment n had been I
Tbcre was Jennie, flirting all the evening
positively fiirting--with that fool Jack
Price, and when he had caught hor after
tho last dance TO tell her what he thought
Of her conduct, instead of making pretty
apologies and Offering to kiss and be
friends, as he fully expected, what had sho
donef Actually blamed him-innocent,
bsameless him-for talking too much TO
her cousin Maud, declined TO listen to his
reply. and ended by leaving him and GO
ing to bed In huff.
But this was not all. There was some
thing sharp and cutting In bis boot that
was becoming positively cxcruciating M
no won't along. At this rate he should
soon be lamed No. he could stand IL no
longer Besides. why should he penance
himselfS Here was retired corner, where
little bootblack piled his trade. Here he
would obtain relief
"No, don't want Shine, but I'll
give you twopence II you'll get my boot
of and let me 500 what's In It,"
The grinning little fellow was quick to
comply. He unlaced and pulled of the boot
and thrust his hand In In moment.
"Well, Of all the rum things Look
here, SIR" no exclaimed, and held up to
BERTHE something sparkling In his grimy
hngers-soinething poor BERTHE knew only
too we'll.
1t was a ring, a pretty diamond ring,
that he himself had chosen and placed on
Jcnnie's pretty finger Her engagement
ring and sho had desecrated IL thusl TO
show him her contempt, to insult his love
to the uttermost, she had cast 1t thus en-
phatically under his feot. Cruel, faithless
Jennie!
The longest day must end at last how
ever, fact we all know, yet oil feel doubt
full about now and then, and BERTHE, re-
leased with great stream Of other city
men, made his way back to the station.
"That gentleman looks as II he would
bite" whispered a little lady who sat op-
posite to him In the train.
And BERTHE, overhearing, agreed readily.
He WAS lingering that fatal ring in his
pocket, and feeling as II he should never
be disposed to smile again.
The pleasant spring evening, full OF
lilac fragrance and the hutter of young
leaves, served but to deepen his depression
as no made his way to the pretty house
whero Jennie Douglas lived
1t was empty and silent tonight. Her
about, and the tennis court was quite de-
serted. No sound came from the house
tho cheerful, large family home used TO
resound with much laughter and song and
the patter Of children's feet.
He paused moment in the porch before
he rang, and so gave timo to little lady,
who chnnced to be standing at a window
up stairs, to come flying down and open
the door for him herself.
"Bertie," said Jennie's voice through
the twilight. "Bertie, is 1t you?''
"Yes, Jennie" said the young man
gravely, and she, who was used to very
different greeting, looked up surprised.
you're not going to be cross againP''
she asked with a charming pout. "You
know / never meant anything-and you
began it,"
"Will you come into the garden for q
minute, Jennie? want to speak to you. "
II shan't stop II you begin to scold, f"
she remarked decidedly. "You know it's
all nonsense, and I've had something that
really worried me today"
$50 have !, Jennie" And he drew the
ring from his pocket II cannot tell you
how 1t has grieved me to find this dis.
carded from your hand"
But Jennie. with q little scream, had
sprung upon the treasure.
"Oh, BERTHE, Bertiei That's the very
thing have never taken it from my
finger since you put It on. I know had
1t safe last night because IL always kiss
1t good night after have said my prayers,
dear, And this morning it was gone.
AndI have been so miserable about 1t all
day. DO tell me where you found 1t,
Bertie.''
"You had 1t last night, dearP' he ques.
toned. "Then how on earth had 1t got
inside my boot this morningf"
"Inside your whatY''
"My boot, he repeated rather shyly, fol
really the confession sounded too unro.
mantio in all that poetry of twilight and
love.
He slipped it once more on her finger
and stood In silent content for moment
contemplating it
but why, dearp" she questioned limo.
Gently, turning her treasure round and
round. "You knew 1t was safe, and
think you might have telegraphed to ma
You might have remembered how worried
i should be to lose it.
Jennie, thought you meant to give 1t
back"
Jennie was looking shyly at the dia-
monds as she twisted them, glimmering
In the twilight.
II know how 1t was" she murmured
at last, "but don't think want to tell
you. 1t was SO very silly"
He drew her gently to him.
Yes, tell mo. want to know"
"Well, dear, last night I did not feel
quite happy because we had sort Of quar-.
rel without making up, and had horrid
dream that you were angry with me. So
/ thought and thought, was there any
thing could do for you before you went
away2 couldn't get your breakfast be-
cause of the servants; mother would not
like 1t, and she had told me not to 20 down
in tho morning, and I couldn't think Of
anything till at last I remembered your
boots. So crept out as soon as it was
light and found them at your door, and
rubbed them beautifully before any ono
else was stirring, and took them up again.
l must have dropped my ring In without
noticing. Did you see how very bright
your boots wereS Berthe, know you're
laughing, and you promised not"
A secret 80 well kept that no friend Of
AI,.tr a a..