The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-01-17
TlePawIled Ring.

II
70. And how carefully ! have treasuf-
ed 1t!
Three years ago! What lot has hap
pened in those three years. Then l was
inst a young girl. Now feel an old
woman. / was full Of Illusions then,
only | didn't call them Illusions.
But there. what is the good.of think
ing? It is getting late, and Florence
must be back before Jack comes home
or he'll be suspicious. Here 1t is, Flor
ence. Be very careful.
/ feel horrld parting with 1t. 1t seems
somehow like giving away part of one
self: but, then. what else was to do!
can't ask Jack for any more money.
When asked him to pay violet's bill,
lie made quite q scene about 1t and said
was horribly extrayasant. and things
had been so bad lately, and he really
didn't know whether we oughtn't to
move into a cheaper house.
really believe Jack cares hardly a
bit for me now. He's always out at the
club or kept late Mt the Office or some
thing-especlally something. fancy. !
believe we hardly spend one evening
together In week. and to think
might have married Arthur. Oh, what
fool have been!
How well remember the afternoon
when Arthur brought me the ring. He
said the stones In it were not half so
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 n declara-
ton of love. and might have married
him. might!
l wonder what Arthur Is doing now?
I've never seen him since. He said he
was going to travel abroad. Perhaps
he is dead. He never was very strong
not bit like Jack. Jacks u regular
horse.
II there was anything else could
have sold, l would never have let Ar.
thurs ring go.
But there. have nothing else SO val
liable. l remember how he told me
that there were half dozen people
after the ring and how he only just
managed to get 1t by outbidding them.
1t was frightfully. eStravagant of
him; but, then. he loved me-ah, how
he must have loved me!
Jack would never dream of buying
me a ring like that. and he's great
deal better of. whatever lie chooses to
saw 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 I'm sure
don't know what should have said.
He nearly did see 1t that evening, too.
when lie came in suddenly when was
Slipping. it on my finger and watching
the diamonds glitter In the freight.
How fortunate It was that i had just
got into my new frock for dinner: and
how trembled when Jack. insisted on
ptnning in the roses atsmy breast! 1
thought his clumsy fingers would be
sure to tumble across its hiding place,
and indeed once he actually touched 1t,
but he never guessed what 1t was. He
wondered why 1t was that rushed up
stairs for my handkerchief the moment
we had sat down to dinner instead of
sending Florence But the minute ]
had to myself In my room was quite
sufficient to dive down into my dress
/! for the ring and lock 1t up in It's usual
| place.
Ten o'clock! What time Florence is
| taking! Surely the shops aren't all
shut. / thought those dreadful pawn
broker people were always open. I've
| always heard so. l wonder what j
shall get for the ring.
Two hundred Mt least, though of
course it's worth great deal more
than that.
! know what | will do-Ill pay the
bill-tlat's. let me sec, S150-and then
buy myself another ring with what is
left. That will he still like having Ar
thurs ring in n way. and shan't feel
| quite 81 dreadful.
Ali. there is Florence ut last! What u
long time you have been! Give ME the
money. Give two dollars. you say. for
| ring like that:
Ec, paste: My-er-en you may go.
Florence. Go! Don't you hear?
Think of it! That should have been
so deceived! It's monstrous! Little
beast Arthur!
\ don't believe he ever cared for me
at all. Paste, and all the lies he told
me about 1t too! It's disgraceful. scan
dalous!
And loved him! And, no. never!
And yet-no, am sure didn't! Hor-
rid little beast!
Horrid -er- bother this pocket.
Where is my handkerchief? After all,
what's the good of being woman II
one cannot have cry sometimes?
What's-what's-(si back into a
chair and sobs passionately).
|
Why, it's past ]. Jack said he would
be home Mt -. must not let him see
I've been crying, and, yes, there's a
key in the door now. 1t is Jack.
wonder II he will come up stairs or go
into the smoking room. l know told
him never to dare to come mp stairs at
this time. but really didn't mean 1t.
Listen-yes he is coming mp stairs,
the dear old fellow. Oh, I'm glad.
Oh runs to the door and throws her
self into her husbands arms, come
and kiss me, Jack!
Tie Had Found His Speciality.
A London contemporary tells the