The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-15
The Pawned Ring

ed it.
 Three years ago. What lot has hap pencd in those three years! Then was just a young girl Now | feel an old woman. I was full of illusions then, only l 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.
 I feel horrld parting with it. lt seems somehow like giving away part of one .elf; but. then, what else was to do?
 can't ask Jack for any more money. When asked him to pay vlolets bill, he made quite scene about 1t and said 1 was horribly eXtravagant. and things had been so bad lately. and he really didn't know whether we oughtn't to move Into cheaper house.
 1 really believe Jack cares hardly a bit for me now. He's always out at the club or kept late at the office or some thlng-especially something, l fancy. l believe we hardly spend one evening together In week, and 10 think l might have married Arthur! Oh, what q fool have been,
 How well remember the afternoon when Arthur brought me the ring. He said the stones in 1t were not half s0 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 dcclara. ton of love. and l might have married him. might!
 wonder what Arthur Is doing nowi I've never seen him since. He said he was going to travel abroad. Pc lrps he is dead. He never was vcry strong not bit like Jack. Jacks regular horse.
 If there was anything else 1 could have sold. would never have let Ar thurs ring go.
 But there. have nothing else so val uable. remember how he told me that there were half dozen people after the ring and how he only just managed to get lt by outbIddlng them. It was frIghtfully extravagant of him: but. then. he loved me-ah. how he must have loved me!
 Jack would never dream of buying mc ring like that. and he's q great deal better or. 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 lt. and I'm sure l don't know what l should have said. He nearly did sec lt that evening, too when he came in suddenly when was slipping it on my finger and watching the diamonds glitter In the tlrclight How fortunate it was that l had just got Into my new frucs for dinner. and how trcmblcd wEon Jack insisted or plnnmg In thc roscs 9t my breast! ! thought his clumsy fingers would be sure to tumble across its hiding place, and Indeed once he actually touched it, but he never guessed what lt was. He wondered why lt was that rushed up stairs for my handkerchief the moment we had sat down Co 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 lt up In its usual place.
 Ten o'clock. What time Florence ls taking, Surely the shops aren't all shut. thought those dreadful pawn broker people were always open. I've always heard SD. wonder what l shall ggt for the ring.
 Two huuGrcd at least, though Of course Us worth great deal morr ,rcu that
 Ea.w what will Go-l'll ray the q. r.ts. lct -'c s.c. $i5o-aul then Ut myself another ring with whHt is
 . That win hr stl ite having Ar .i's t,a.; in a way. oad shan't fccl
 ii"s7 Jr,e'fcl
 Nh. .5,rc is r,.sv"c, at last! W&at a
 tmc you have hcen! Give ric hc a'y Give two dollars. you say. for ring like that;
 Cc. past: 'ly-cr-c you nay go. 'oreucc. Go. Doa't you hear;
 rh.rs cf i. That should have been
 jr, ivcN lis monstrouS. Little lsi Ar,har!
 t-p't l,Hcvc hr ever cared fir me
 1 p's:r and oll the lies hc told .:> a, E. too. lts disSrGccful. scan.
 .s.
 N"l ! loved him, And. no. never A.l yct-uo. am sure didn't! lIor- tWCc Least,
 u.~rlG cr - bother this pocket. Ahcrc Is my handkerchief? After all. shats the good of being a woman if lrc cannot have a cry sometimes; Whats what's -)sink back into chair and sobs paSSlonatelyl.
 
 Why. It's past 1. Jack said be would be home at l2. must not let him see I've been crying. and. yes, there's q key in the door now. lt Is Jack. wonder If he will come up stairs or 20 Into the smoking room. know told him never to dare 10 come up stairs at this time. but really didn't mean 1t. Llsten-yes. he Is coming up stairs, : lbe dear old fellow. Oh. I'm glad.
 Oh (runs to the door and throws her self into her husbands arInsl, comr