The Press., 1906-12-12

A flush spread over Mrs. Berkley's face.
 "It is not diamond" she faltered.
 q am sure, then, it is something equally nice Now, Mrs. Berkley, please don't be so modest" said Amelia as she wickedly pulled the hand from it's hiding place, revealing very slender band of silver.
 "Ohr' Perhaps Amelia put more meaning into this exclamation than she intended. but there certainly was scorn. "Is this the kind of ring MT. Berkley gave you? He should be ashamed of himself, and he could have afforded to give you 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"
 The flush on Mrs. Berkley's face grew deeper as she pulled her hand away.
 "It was made out of dime" There was no further explanation. "I left some beans in the oven and must go," said she and left.
 When she reached her home she went
 
 from her finger as if it burned and threw it into bureau drawer out of sight.
 II never will wear it again-neverr She stamped her foot angrily on the Ecarpet. 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 ed sorely.
 She hoped her husband would miss the ring and thus give her a chance to say something, but if he did not miss the ring he missed something else-her usual cheery chat.
 "Are you i'll, Frances?' he asked, with I real concern in his voice.
 "No," she answered curtly. i .''Has anything happened, then?"
 "Oh, enough has happened" she said cofdly.
 Her tones caused him apprehension. l Amelia Jones and Bob Dalesford are engaged" she said finally, not knowing just how to begin.
 "Is that all?' he laughed.
 Mrs. Berkley did not smile. Bob gave Amelia 8 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 1t. "I never will wear it 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 to have given me a 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 l to love me! I was fool. know bet ter now"
 MT. Berkley winced as if he had been struck. He rose and 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. .e..
 Nothing more was said about the ring, and things went on much as usual, only instead of cheer, sunshine and a sympathy there were silence, gloom and misunderstanding. Mrs. Berkley could not help noticing the l 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.
 "1 have brought you diamond to show that care for you-yes, I'care very much indeed" he said earnestly Give me your hand, and we will see how it will fit" He tried to speak piayfully.
 "I don't want the diamond How can wear two wedding rings?'
 Then he nQticed the slender silver Dand on her finger. A happy light lit up his face.
 'I want you to wear the diamond ring anyway. Give me the silver ring, | and will wear it next my heart out of sight"
 ''I am going to wear the silver ring always!' said Mrs. Berkley deterlnin- edly. Then, suddenly and severely, Joe Berkley, how much did you pay for that diamond?'
 "Three hundred dollars"
 "Where did you get the money? You told me when you bought that last lot of goods that you only haA $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 Berkley, had just come to the conclusion that l was fool, but never dreameI you were one too!'
 T thought d diamond was necessary to show that loved you.'
 "Well. if you care for me now you will take that ring back to the jewell CTS, 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, s
 "Oh, Mrs. Berkley. how glad I am to see you. used you so horrid the oth- CT day Can you ever forgive meY. ex-