Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-10-25
FOraSLender
&berRng
By.
III. MAUDE WRIGHT

before Mrs. Berkley's astonished eyes.
"And BobY'
''Oh. he first looked surprised, then
angry; muttered something about the
ring being set with my birthday stone
and that it was the best he could af-
ford. Then he walked off without an
other word"
"Of course he came back or you
would not be wearing the ring"
II must confess that / was a little
bit frightened, for do think a heap Of
Bob, and you never know what a man
will do, but he came back the very
next day and brought me this beautiful
diamond ring. You see, he really cares
for me-" said Amelia.
well" said Mrs. Berkley, "I don't
see how he could afford it, for he Is not
as well off as Joe was before we were
married"
a sudden thought struck her, for she
slyly concealed her left hand, but not
before Amelia had Noticed the action.
ooh. Mrs. Berkley," she said impul-
sively. "do let Inc see your wedding
ring. I do not remember noticing II.
IL
they do say that Joe Berkley was
heels over head in love with you before
you were married"
\ flush spread over Mrs. Berkley's
face.
1T is not diamond" she faltered.
Il am sure. then, il IS something
equally nice Now. Mrs. Berkley. please
don't be so modest" said Amelia as
she wickedly pulled the hand from its
hiding place, revealing very slender
band of silver.
"Ohr' Perhaps Amelia put more
meaning into this exclamatio than she
intended, but there certainly was scorn.
rs this the kind OF a ring Mr.. Berkley
gave you? He should be ashamed of
himself, and he could have afforded to
give you a diamond ring better than
Bob could afford to give me one. OF
course he cared for you, but men have
strange ways OF showing their love
sometimes"
grew deeper as she pulled her hand
away.
'It was made out Of dime" There
was no further explanation. " left
some beans in the oven and must CO."
said she and left.
When she reached her home she went
up to her room and snatched the ring
from her finger as If it burned and
threw it into a bureau drawer out OF
sight
Il never will wear il again-peverw
She stamped her foot angrily on the
carpet. 'He didn't care for me or he
never would have given me ring that
would hold me up to scorn. Oh, yes;
he has been good TO me. but then he Is
good to his clerks, his dog and every
thing else" Her pride had been wound
Oh sorely-
She hoped her husband would miss
the ring and thus give her chance to
say something. but if he did not miss
the ring lie missed something else-her
usual CHEEKY chat.
Are you i'll, Frances?" he asked, with
real concern in his voice
''No," she answered curly.
Has anything happened. then?'
"Oh, enough has happened she said
coldly.
Her tones caused him apprehension.
amelia Jones and Bob Dalesford are
engaged" she said finally, not knowing
just how to begin.
rs that all:" he laughed
Mrs. Berkley did not smile
Bob gave Amelia beautiful dia-
mond ring. which showed that he cared
something for her.
Something in her tone made him lool;
down at the finger thnt should have
worn the wedding ring
She noticed his glance and answered
It, II never will wear il again. for you
did not care anything for me when you
gave ne such ring rs that-a paltry
ten cent ring, a target for ridicule,
You could have afforded % have given
me diamond ring better than Bob
Dalesford could afford to give Amelia
one, yet you did not even give me
gold one-and-and-and You pretended
TO love me. | was fool | know bet
ter now"
Mr.. Berkley WINGED as If he had
been struck. He rose ana left the
room. and Mrs Berkley noticed with
pang at her heart that his usually
straight shoulders were bent as from
age, yet she did not call him back.
Nothing more was said about the
ring, and things went Cn much as
usual, aaly instead OF cheer, sunshine
and a sympathy there were silence,
gloom and misunderstanding. Mrs.
Berkley could not help noticing the
haggard look that had settled down On
her husbands face, and when she
looked into the glass sne knew that her
own face was getting pale.
Several days had passed thus when
another diamond was flashed before
Mrs. Berkley's eyes; this time the ring
was in the hand of her husband.
Il have brought you a diamond 10
show that 1 care for you-yes. care
very much indeed" he said earnestly.
"Give me your hand, and we will see
how It will fit" He tried to speak
playfuIly.
81 don't want the diamond. How
can wear two wedding rin6sr
Ehen he noticed the slender silver
band on her finger. A happy light lit
up his face.
81 want you to weas the diamond
ring anyway. Give me the silver ring,
and will wear it next ny heart our
OF sight"
Il am going to wear the silver ring
always said Mrs. Berkley deteruin-
edly. Then, suddenly and severely,
Joe Berkley, how much did you pay
for that diamond?"
'sThree hundred dollars"
"Where did you get the money? You
told me when you bought that last lot
OF goods that you only had $50 left in
the bank" A frightened look came in
to her face you didn't
"NO, did not borrow or steal IT,
sold the store and tomorrow take my
old place as clerk in it, just where /
was when we were married"
Joe BerkIey, had just come to the
conclusion that was fool. but /
never dreamed you were one tool"
Il thought a diamond was necessary
to show that l loved you"
"Well. II you care for me now you
will take that ring back TO the jewel
ers, and then you will march right
down the street and buy back the
store Make whatever explanations
you wish, but buy back the store"
The very next day Mrs. Berkley went
TO call On Amelia Jones.