The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-02-18
The PaWned Ring

pened in those three years! Then l was lust a young girl. Now I feel an old woman. 1 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 cnce. Re very careful.
 feel horrId parting with 1t. It seems somehow like giving away part of one self; but, then. what else was to dof
 can't ask Jack for any more money. When I asked him to pay Violets bill, be made quite scene about 1t and said was horribly extravagant. and things had been so bad lately. and he really didn't know whether we oughtnt to move into cheaper house.
 I really believe Jack cares hardly a bit for me now. He's always out at tho club or kept late at the office or some thing-especially something. fancy. l believe we hardly spend one evening together in a week. and to think l might have married Arthur Oh. what fool have beenl
 How well l remember the afternoon when Arthur brought me the ring. He said the stones in 1t 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 hls hand was declara' ton of love, and might have married him. mighti
 wonder what Arthdr Is doing nowf I've never seen hlm since. He said he was going to travel abroad. Perhaps he Is dead. He never was very strong not a bit like Jack. Jacks a regular horse.
 If there was anything else l could have sold. l would never have let Ar thurs ring go.
 But there. I have nothing else so val uable. I remember how he told me that there were half a dozen people after the ring and how he only just managed to get 1t by outbidding thern.
 It was frightfully extravagant of him; but. then. he loved me-ah. how he must have loved me!
 Jack would never dream of buying me ring like that, and he's a great deal better off, 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 1t. and I'm sure l don't know what l should have sald. He nearly did see 1t that evening. too, when he came in suddenly when was slipping It on my finger and watching the diamonds glitter in the frelight. How fortunate it was that had just got Into my new frock for dinner, and how I trembled when Jack insisted on plnnlng in the roses at my breast! l thought his clumsy fingers would be sure to tumble across It's hiding place, and Indeed once he actually touched 1t. but he never guessed what it 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 l had to myself in my room was quite sufficient to dive down Into my dress for the ring and lock lt up In It's usual place.
 Ten o'clock What time Florence is taking! Surely the shops aren't all shut. I thought those dreadful pawn broker people were always open. I've always heard so. wonder what l shall get for the ring.
 Two hundred at least, though of course It's worth a great deal more than that.
 know what will do-I'll pay the bill-that's. let me see. $l50-and then buy myself another ring with what is left. That will be still like having Ar thurs ring in way. and shan't feel quite SO dreadful.
 An, there is Florence at lastl What long time you have beenl Give me the money. Give two dollars, you say, for a ring like that?
 Ee. pasteT My-er-en you may so, Florence. Col Don't you hear?
 Think of itl That should have been so deceivedl It's monstrousl Little beast Arthur
 I don't believe he ever cared for me at all. Paste. and all the lies he told me about 1t tool It's dlsgraceful. scan- dalousl
 And I loved himl And, no. neverl And yet-no. I am sure didn't! Hor- rid little beastl
 Horrid -er- bother this pocket. Where Is my handkerchief After all. what's the good of being a woman if one cannot have a cry sometimes? what's-what's-(slnk back Into chair and sobs passlonately).
 
 Why, it's past l. Jack said be would be home at l2. l must not let him see I've been crying, and, yes, there's a key in the door now. It is Jack. wonder If he will come up stairs or go Into the smoking room. l know told him never to dare to come up stairs ot this time. but I really didn't mean 1t.
 Llsten-yes. he Is coming up stairs, the dear old fellow. Oh. I'm gladl
 Oh (runs to the door and throws her