The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-14
THE TUG OF LOVE.
BY ISRAEL zANGwILL.


 When Elias Goldenberg, Belcovitch' nead cutter, betrothed himself to Fanny Eersnt, the prettiest of the machinistS, the Gretto blessed the match, always matches shockedl. and Goldenberg's rel auyes (who considered Fanny nignty and fond of finery)
 Fanny was cut out for a rich man s WiIe, insisted Goldenberg's aunt, shak- ing her pious wig.
 He who marries Fanny is rich." re- torted Elias.
 Pawn. your hide but get a bride quoted the old lady. savagely.
 AS Tor the slighted marriage broker, he remonstrated almost like d relative.
 But l didn't want a negotiated mar riage.' Elias protested.
 "A love marriage l could also have ar- ranged for you" replied Sugarman, in- dignantly.
 But Elias was quite content with hrs own arrangement, for Fanny's glance was melting and her touch transportLag. To deck that soft, warm hand with an engagement ring, months wages had not seemed disproportionate, and Fanny flashed the diamond bewitchingly. It lit up the gloomy workshop with it's signal felicity. Even Belcovitch bent over hls Fauny's badinage. ,-s The course of true love seemed to run straight to the canopy-Fanny had al- ready worked the bridegroom's praying oh1Wt-WhCu q SIOTHl DEOhes At first the cloud was no bigger than a mans hand-in fact, it was d man S hand. Elias espied 1t groping between the two machines. As Fanny's fingers huttered towards 1t, her other hand still guarding the cloth under the .throbbing needle, Elias felt the needle stabbing through
 The very finger that held his costly ring lay in this alien paw. gratis.
 The shameless minx! An, his relatives were right. He snapped his scissors sav- agely. Ike a. dragons jaws. . Fanny; what dost thouT he gasped flew back. T thought thou vast on the other side. she breathed.
 Elias snorted. incredulous
 As soon as Sugarman heard of the breaking Of the engagement, he flew to Elias, his blue bandanna streaming from his coat-tall.
 "If you had come to me-" he crowed. "I should have found you a more re- given you a second helping. A we'll built wage-earner like you can look as high as a green-grocer's daughter even.' Il never wish to look upon a woman agaln," Elias groaned.
 broker" Three days after the Fast of Atonement comes the Feast of Taber- nacles The. Almighty. blessed be He. WHO cFGdleu DUH uBnI anu udTkneSS, has made obedient females as well as pleasuce-seekers. And he blew his nose emphatically into his bandanna.
 Yes. but she won't return my ring!' Elias lamented.
 What Sugarman gasped. Then she considers herself still engaged to you!' Not at all. She laughs in my face" And she has given you back your My promise, .-es. The ring, no.''
 But on what ground?'
 "She says I gave 1t to her. Sugarman clucked his tongue. Tut tutu. Better if we had followed our old custom and the man had worn the en- gagement ring, not the woman!''
 "In the workshop" Elias went on mis- erably. 'she flashes 1t in my eyes Ey- erybody makes mock. Oh, the Jezabel!' Ut would only cost ne more. Is it not true I gave her the rng?"
 Sugarman mopped his brow. His vast experience was at fault. No maiden had ever refused to return his clients ring rather she flung it in the wooer's false teeth"'
 This comes of your love matches, T he cried, sternly. This time there must be proper contract"
 This time!" repeated Elias. Why how am l to afford new ring? Fanny was ruirous in cups of chocolate and the pit of the Pavilion Theater!'
 T should want my fee down" said Elias shrugged his shoulders "If you bring me the ring"
 Il do not get old rings but new maid. ems" Sugarman reminded him haughtilS However, as you are a customer. And crying Five per cent. on the green Yrocer's daughter" he hurried away ere Elias had time to dissent from the bar gain.
 Donning his sealskin vest to overawe the Fershts, Sugarman ploughed his way up the dark staircase to their room. His attire was wasted on the family tor Fanny herself opened the door.
 Peace to you" he cried. T have come on behalf of Elias Goldenberg."
 Tt is useless. I will not have him. And she was shutting the door. Hel misceonception. wilful or not, scattered all Sugarman's prepared diplomacies He does not want you-he wants thu ring he cried. hastily.
 Fanny indecoriously put a finger tc her nose. The diamond glittered mock tngly on it. Then she turned away gig. gling. But look at this photograp ph! ? panted Sugerman desperately, through the closing door,
 Surprise and curiosity brought her eye back. She stared at the sheepish feature: of a frock-coated stranger
 -Four pounds a week all the yea round" said Sugerman, pursuing his ad vantage "and dying to step into Elias shoes"
 His feet are too large" And sh' licked the photograph floorward witt her bedamoned finger.
 But why waste the engagement ring? pleaded Sugar;nan, stepping to DICK u the suitor.
 What an idea. A new man, a nev ring" And Fanny slammed the door.
 "Impudence face! Would you become a jewelry shOp!" the batled Shadchai