Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-11-03
Slender
SiEUerRing
d..
NJ. Made WRIGHT

not think enough Of me 20 give me
anything less than diamond ring
Those are the very words used" said
Amelia Jones as she flashed diamond
before Mrs. Berkley's astonlshed eyes.
And Bob"
"Oh. he first looked surprised. then
angry. muttcrcd something about the
ring being set with my birthday stone
and that II was the best he could af
ford Then he walked OF without an
other word"
"Of course he came back or you
would not be- wearing the ring"
Il must confess that | was little
bit frightened. for do think heap OF
Bob. and you never know what 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.
We'll" said Mrs. Berkeley. Il don't
see how he could afford II. for he Is not
as well of rs 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.
"Oh. Mrs Berkley." she said lmpul-
slvely. do let me see your wedding
ring do not remember noticing IT,
know II must be something tlne. for
they do say that Joe Berkeley was
heels over head In love with you before
you were married"
A flush spread over Mrs. Berkley's
face.
1T Is not diamond" she faltered
II am sure. then, II is something
equally nice. Now. Mrs. Berkeley. please
don't be SO modest" said Amelia as
she wickedly pulled the hand from Its
hiding place. revealing very slender
band OF silver
oh" Perhaps Amelia put more
meaning into this exclamation than she
intended. but there certainly was scorn
rs this the kind OF ring Mr. Berkeley
gave you? lie should be ashamed Of
himself. and he could have afforded TO
give you a diamond ring better than
Bob could afford 20 give me one OF
course he cared for you. but men have
strange ways OF showing their love
sometimes"
The flush on Mrs. Berkley's face
grew deeper as she pulled her hand
away
1T was made out OF n dime" There
was no further explanation ~ left
some beans In the oven and must 60"
said she and left
When she reached her home she went
up TO her room and snatched the ring
from her finger as II II burned and
threw II into bureau drawer out OF
sight
II never will wear II agaIn-never"'
She stamped her foot angrily on the
carpet He didn't care for me or he
never would have given me n 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
ed sorely.
She hoped her husband would miss
the ring and thus give her chance to
say something. but II ne did not miss
the ring he missed something else-her
usual CHEEKY chat.
Are you III. FrancesT' he asked. with
real concern in his voice.
NO" she answered curtly
Has anything happened. them"
"Oh. enough has happened" she said
coldly.
Her tones caused him apprehension.
amelia Jones and Bob Dalesford ara
engaged" she said finally, not knowing
just how to begin
''Is that all?" he laughed.
Mrs. Berkeley did not smile.
bob gave Amelia a beautiful dia-
mond ring. which showed that he cared
something for her"
Something in her tone made him look
down at the finger that should have
worn the wedding ring.
She noticed his glance and answered
IT, II never Will wear II again. for you
did not care anything for me when you
gave me such a ring as that-a paltry
ten cent ring. a target for ridicule.
You could have afforded 20 have given
me Il diamond ring better than Bob
Dalesford could afford to give Amelia
one. yet you did not even give me a
gold one-and- and-and you pretended
to love me! was a fool know bet
ter now"
Mr. Berkeley WINGED as II he had
been struck He rose and left the
room. and Mrs. Berkeley noticed with a
pang at her heart that his usually
straight shoulders We're bent "a from
age. yet she did not call him back.
Nothing more was said about the
ring. and things went on much as
usual. only instead OF cheer. sunshine
and sympathy there were silence.
gloom and misunderstanding. Mrs.
Berkeley could not help noticing the
haggard look that had settled down on
her husbands face. and when she
looked into the glass she 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.
81 have brought you diamond to