The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-05-23
A SPAT
forIglnaLl

| I knew what Dc meant and knew tAAt J I was on dauyerous ground, but this 1 did not deter me.
 My character doesn't seem to suit you" said llaughtIly.
 "Not as it at present appears"
 "Very well Since | don't suit you there Is your ring"
 I took or roy engagement ring and intended to toss it indinercntly on tho table, but ir-,tatlon put more power into my arm than was necessary. The ring ricochett I 0hat's what he always calls bound' and. failing on the floor, rolled dear GDows where.
 AS you will" he said coldly, but don't care to have the ring. It Is indis- solubly connected In my mind with you and could only have a sad influence"
 CT can see nothing sad in being re- minded ot oOe who didn't suit you"
 Tt would remind me of one as haVO always seen her except on this oeca- sion-one | have dearly loved"
 Its pity you made such mistake. but fortunat" that you found me out in time"
 "I certainly would not relish a rccur- renee of sucl, scenes as this"
 "They world occur daily should yOu ill treat me Ns you have Just done"
 "It you csn convince me of one aS of ill treatment | will apologize on my knees"
 That's just like a man. He must ai- ways be getting at the bottom Of things Instead of coming to me. put ting his arms about me and telling me how sorry he was. he must go back Co the beginning and prove by what hs calls logic tlat am an ln the wrong. I shall consent to no such thing.
 Tt Isn't necessary" said especial y since have come to the conclusion that you wouldn't suit me any better than would suit you"
 I looked at him 10 see if my shot struck home. but he was so impertur- bable that if be had any feelings he concealed them perfectly. This turned the shot ht to a boomerang. It made me ansr'eI than ever. should have waited for hls reply, but I didn't. l added two words which at the time seemed ve.y toN,ible. but which now seem ridiculous:
 There. row."'
 turned my back as I spoke 80 l coulin't e his -ace This was mis' take. It gave Jim a great advantage for it was impossible for me to judge of the real intent Of bis words
 "win you kindly give me the mean- Ing of thal eKDresslonT be said.
 1T bis lnne had not been SO cutting, | would have supposed he was chaflng me. l at dVTn on the corner of the sofa. wlth ny back sdn toward him. and did uot oelgn a reply.
 What wOVid become of husband, be asked. "@no upon presenting to his Nife Sou,e proposition Of vital impor' tsnce Co bO,h should receive a reply rounded on by those two words! What a conc'Usloh to an argument!
 I nq'ther knew nor cared anything about his arguments How would logic help t'S tc get together aguinf knew a trick worth two of that l bent my head down on the back of the sofa, moving to such a position that be could see ny waist. the waist he had SO loved to enclrcle. He couldn't see iuy face and didRt know whether [ WAS crying or not. { didn't intend he should
 However" he said presently, you have settied the matter by a return of my rlnS-thRt Is. you dung it on the table aud it rolled in under that brlc. a-orae cabinet in the corner. Please keep it as a memento of my
 Former affection"
 I should have said 1t mOurnfully, bui couldn't. was still very angry, the moro ho that he wouldn't give me a chance to make lt all up. spoke win. dictis ely.
 Never mind that Do you accept the nngT'
 Does a gentleman offer lady Il rinE that is lost without lluding it for hsrf
 1nis must have been an argument that his stupidity could comprehend, Cor it slleLced hlm for few moments.
 Had you handed me the ring in a laayilke manner l would have found it for you. However l an willing to do my part ln it's recovery, but you know that am nearslghted and Invent my glasses with ne"
 didn't believe wori about the J glasses. q don't want the ring" said "I'll find it for you, and you eau give 1t to some other girl.'
 got down on my knees in the cor nsr. and be got down on his knees be- side me. soon saw the ring, and be must have seen 1t at the same time, despite his nearsightedness, for we both reached for 1t at tho same time, and his hand fell on mine.
 waited for him to take it away but be didn't. looked up at him. His fsce was beamlng. aud his eyes fairly | danced.
 turned away from him, but remem.