The Saint Paul globe., 1902-01-24
The Globes Daily Short Story

looked a conscious Sphinx. ..You may vet
get back the ring"
''How?"
'Of course I have the next disposal OF
it!' said Sugarman.
Yes, yes. Go on
Tomorrow in the workshop pretend to
steal loving glances all day lOrY. when
she's not looking When she catches
you
But she won't be lookirg"
"Oh, yes, she will. When she catches
you, you must blush'
But I can't blush at will Elias pro
tested.
Il know it is hard Wei, look foolish.
That will be easier for you"
But why should l look foolsh?"
ITO make her think you are ia love
with her after ALL
II should look foolish if 1 were"
Precisely. That is the idea When
she leaves the workshop in the evening
follow her, and as she passes the cake
shop, sigh and ask her if she VIII not
eat stuffed monkey for the sake Of
peace-be-upon-him times
But she won't"
"Why not? She is still in love"
with stuffed monkeys" said Elias,
cynicaily
with you, too.'
Elias blushed quite easily. How DO
you know?"
81 offered her another man and she
slammed The door in my facet"
'You-you offered-!' Elias sputtered
angrily.
'OnIy to test her." said Sugarman.
soothingIy. Now, when she has eaten
the cake and drunk cup of chocolate,
too (for one must play high with such a
ring at stake), you must walk on by her
side and when you come to a dark Ger
L, ,v1d TNv
ure,' or my angel, or whatever nonsense
you modern yourg men babble to your
maidens-with the results, YOU see!-and
while she is drinking it all in, her fingers
in yours, give sudden tug and off comes
the ring!"
Elias gazed at him in admiration.
''You are as crafty as Jacob our Father"
Heaven has not denied everybody
brains replied Sugarman modestly. BE
careful to seize the left hand
The admiring Elias followed the scheme
to the letter
Even the blush he had boggled at came
to his cheeks punctually whenever his
sheep s-eyes met Fannys He was go
surprised to find his face -urning that
he looked foolish into the bargain.
They dallied long in the cake shop.
Elias trying to summon up courage for
the final feint. He would get good grip
on the ring finger. The tug Of war would
be brief.
Meantime the couple clinked chocolate
cups and smiled into each others eyes.
1.-THE good-for- nothing thought Elias,
hotly. "She will make the same eyes at
the next man.
And he went on gorging her, every
speculative stuffed monkey increasing his
nervous tension. Her white teeth, biting
recklessly into the cake, made him itch
to slap her rosy cheek.
Confectionery paIled at last and Fanny
led the way out. Elias followed, chat
tering with feverish gaiety. Gradually
he drew up even with her.
They turned down the deserted Fish
monger's Alley, lit by one dull gas lamp.
Elias limbs began to tremble with the
excitement of the critical moment. He
felt like a footpad. Hither and thither
he peered-nobody was about. But-waS
he on the right side Of her? ''Fhe right
is the left" he told himself, trying to
smile, but his pulses thumped and in the
tunult of heart and brain he was not
left. Fortunately he caught the glitter
of the diamond in the gloom, and In
stinctiyely his robber hand closed upon
It,
But as he felt the warm. responsive
clasp of those soft fingers, that ancient,
+ delicious thrill pierced every vein. Fool
that he had been to doubt that dear hand
And 1t was wearing his ring stilf-shl
could not part with it! o. blunderiPt
male ingrate
my treasured My angel!" he m
INJURED ecstatically. =