The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-02
ARTHUR's GIFT.

AhIHUh0 VlEIs
Yes. I suppose shall have to let
20! And how carefully l have treaa
ured It! The gold in tho setting is q
bright now al when Arthur first sliI
| ped 1t on my finger and stole the kis
that could hardly. even II he ha
waited to ask for It, have refused.
Three years ago! What q lot ha
happened In those three yeara. Then
was but young girl. Now-I feel a
old woman. was full of illusions the
only ! didn't call them illusions.
don't think l really knew then wha
the word meant. Now I have almos
forgotten that / ever had any. 1t seem
60 long since l lost them.
But there, what is the good of think
Ing? II is getting late, and Florenc
must be back before Jack comes hom
or he'll be suspicious. Here 1t is, Flor
ence, be very careful.
feel horrid parting with 1t. I
seems somehow like giving away par
Of ones self; but. then, what else was
to do?
can't ask Jack for any more money
When I asked him to pay Violet's bill
he made quite scene about it--and
said I was horribly extravagant, and
things had been so badly lately, and he
really didn't know whether we oughtn't
to move into cheaper house. That
was only week ago. and I couldn'
dare to show him another bill SO soon,
and 80 big one, too.
A year ago Jack was quite different.
Really I was much more extravagant
then, and he never grumbled once:
only a year makes a lot Of difference
in a man. doesn't it. especially ii he is
your husband?
l really believe Jack cares hardly q
bit for me now. He's always out at the
club or kept late at the Office or some
thing: especially something, I fancy.
I believe we hardly spend one evening
together In week. And to think
might have married Arthur! Oh-what
q fool I have been.
How well remember the afternoon
when Arthur brought me the ring. He
said the stones in 1t were not half 80
bright as my eyes. Why doesn't Jack
ever talk to me like that?
Arthur was always different. There
was caress in his voice. and the mere
touch Of his hand was declaration Of
love. And might have married him,
l might! i
: wonder what Arthur is doing now?
I've never seen him since He said he
was going abroad to travel. Perhaps
he is dead; he never was very strong.
not bit like Jack. Jacks q regular
horse. I
If there was anything else / could
have sold I would never have let Ar
thurs ring 60. !!
But there, l have nothing else so val
liable. remember how he told me
that there were half q dozen people az
ter the ring, and how he only managed
10 get 1t by outbidding them.
1t was frightfully extravagant Of
him, but then he loved me-ah-how
be must have loved me.
Jack would never dream of buying
me ring like that. and he's great
deal better Of, whatever he chooses to
say now, than poor Arthur ever was.
It's lucky Jack has never seen 1t. He
would be sure to have asked nasty
questions about 1t, and l am sure I
lont know what I should have said.
He nearly did see it that evening, too,
when he came in suddenly when was
Tipping 1t on my finger and watching
he diamonds glitter In the freight.
How fortunate it was that I had Just
,ot into my frock for dinner, and how
trembled when Jack insisted on pin
ling in the roses at my breast. II
bought his clumsy fingers would be
ure to tumble across its hiding place,
md, indeed, once he actually touched
t, but he never guessed what it was.
lie wondered why it was that l rushed !
Ipstairs for my handkerchief the mo-
nent he sat down to- dinner, instead Of |
ending Florence. But the minute l
lad to myself in my room was quite
efficient to dive down into my dress |;
Or the ring and lock it up in its usual !
lace. /
Ten o'clock! What time Florence ia
aking. Surely the shops aren't all
hut.
thought those dreadful pawnbroker
eople were always open. I've always
card SO. wonder what l shall get
Dr. the ring.
Two hundred, at least, though OF
purse it's worth great deal more
nan that.
l know what I will do. I'll pay the
ill; that's-let me see-$150, and then
NY myself another ring with what is
1T. That will be like having Arthur's
ing in way, and l shan't feel quite
} dreadful.
All, there is Florence at last! What q
ing time you have been! Give me the
loney! Give 81 you say for a ring like
lat? ,
Eh-paste? My-er-er you may go,
florence. Go! Don't you hear?
Think Of it! That ! should have been ,
, deceived! It's Iaonstrous! Little
east Arthur!
l don't believe he ever cared for mo
all. Paste! and all the lies he told
e about it, too! It's disgraeeful, scan-
llous!
And Loved him! And, no, never.
nd yet-no am sure didn't! Horrid
tile beast! c
Horrid-er-bothef this pocket !
here Is my handkerchief? After all, I
hats the good Of being a woman il a
lie cannot have cry sometimes! :
'hat's-what's-(sinks back into a !.
air and sobs passionately). y
e
Why, it's past IL. Jack said he would
} home at IL. l must not let him see
re been crying. And-yes, there's Z
key in the door now. 1t is Jack. l Il
onder II he will come upstairs or go I,
to the smoking-room. know l told G
m never to dare to come upstairs at :,
is time, but really didn't mean II. .
he is coming upstairs, |"