The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-09-30


20. I-don't you laugh, John, it amt
funny It's mean. It's what somebody
said She said if a man really loves a
girl he gives her something, so folks IL
know-like ring or something she
laughed nervouSly. And L just told
her that 1 wasn't engaged on her ac-
count, and if she thought / ought 70
wear a ring she need't look at me,
that's all She was awful mad
Hunch was silent
Now, don't you be cross. don't want
a ring, John, anyway, until-weu, until
we're married 1t don't mean anything
when two people love each other
like you and me do. Good night, you
old boy. Now don't go and be cross.
And don't forget We're going TO the
dance tomorrow night"
Hunch laughed a little and kissed
her. Then he walked slowly down the
street.
At noon the following day Hunch
went into the jewelry store near the
postOffice and looked at rings There
was one large ring with two diamonds
set in snakes head
How much is it?' Hunch asked.
Ninety dollars. Best ring we've got.
There amt another like it this side of
Grand RAPIDS.
That's the one I want, then" said
Hunch- 'Will you put it by for me?'
Take it right along. Mr.. Badeau.
There's no hurry about the money"
No. said Hunch. I won't take it
until I can pay for it,
.'An right. Mr.. Badeau, we'H put it
aside for you
By a second loan Hunch had let
Bruce have nearly all his ready money,
so that he lacked a large part of the
500. but he was determined to have the
ring within week or two. He was
walking slowly down the street when
he met Jim Bartlett.
Hello. Hunch.''
Hello. Jim
Say. come into Nerves a minute.
want TO see you"
When they were seated at one Of the
round tables. Jim said:
Il S'poSe it amt none of my business,
Hunch, but when you've known fell
low all yodr life you can't help being
kind of interested. I knew YOU was
sort of looking after Bruce sConsidine
once in a while. 1 know he used to
work for you, and it seemed to me late
ly that he's getting a little off the
track
What's the matter? What's Bruce
done?"
..weH, I hear about it from two or
three places. You know Billy Riggs
folks live next door to Bruce. and this
morning Billy came up to the lookout
while I was on the watch and told me
little about it. Billy's always known
Name Banks, you know think he
used to be kind of stuck on her"
What about it?''
BILLY says Bruce is drinking right
along-not jagged, you know, but kind
of ugly. And he says his little sister
says she saw him hit Name last night
it weren't none of her business, of
course. She heard 'em talking and was
looking through the window. Going on
down the street,"
No" said Hunch after silence, TN
sit here awhile"
IAN right So long. Hunch.''
Hunch did not work at all that after
noon. He went to the docks and watched
the men at work on the foundation of
the new grain elevator. Once he start
! ed back up town, thinking that he
might find Bruce at Nerves saloon. He
got as far as the planning mill and
stopped, wondering what he could say
to Bruce if he should meet him. Then
he went back to the docks After sup
per he walked rapidly out TO the east
ern limits of the town, where the pave
ment- ends and the yellow sands begin
He had forgotten about Jess and the
dance. He went back to Nerves and
looked in at the door Bruce was sit
ting at one of the rear tables playing
poker with some of the elevator men
Hunch stepped back and stood outside
on the corner. For the first time since
he had known Bruce he felt like leav-
ing him TO go to the bad. He wanted to
do something himself that would make
Mamie's life easier
he Suddenly turned anu Wdlkeu out
to Bruce's house. He was excited when
he Knocked on the door He heard
some one say come in" then he was
inside the door with his hat in his
hands, Mamie was sitting by the cradle
rocking ii with her foot.
How d We do, Mis- Considine? Is
Bruce homer"
mo; he's gone to the doctors. Won't
you sit down %
Thanks: I dunno. Bruce, he amt
been very we'll lately, has hep
why, yes
81 heard he wasn't. 1 been kind Of
worried about him. Say. ii amt none