The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-09
TIE EVENING STORY
Zoe . sIender snver Rlng.

Jones as she flashed a diamond before
Mrs. Berkley's astonished eyes,
And Bob?''
"Oh, he first looked surprised, then
angry; muttered something about tn
ring being set with my birthday stone
and that it was the best he could al
ford. Then he walked of without an
ether word
"Of course he came back. or you
would not be wearing the ring
4 must confess that was q little
bit frightened for do think a heap OF
Bob, and you never know what man
will do; but he came back the very next
day and brought me this beautiful dla-
mond ring. You see he really cares Tor
me- said Amelia.
..Weu" said Mrs. Berkeley, II don't
see how he could afford it, for he Is
not as well off as Joe was before we
We're married"
A sudden thought struck her, for she
slyly concealed her left hand, but not
before Amelia had noticed the action
"Oh. Mrs. Berkeley she said impul-
sively, do let me see your wedding
ring. l do not remember noticing it, l
know II must be something fine, for
they do say that Joe Berkeley was heel@
over head in love with you before you
a a flush lussi spread over Mrs. Berkley's
face.
TT is not a diamond she faltered.
II am sure then it is something equal
" nice. Now, Mrs. Berkley, please don
be so modest said Amelia as she WICK
edIy pulled the hand from its hiding
place. revealing a very slender band OF
@Oh." Perhaps Amelia put more
meaning into this exclamation than sne
intended, but there certainly was scorn-
rs this the kind Of a ring Mr. Berkley
gave you? He should be ashamed Oh
himself; and he could have afLordeu %
give YOU a diamond ring better than
Bob could afford to give me one Or
course he cared for you, but men nave
strange ways Of showing their love
sometimes. -.
grew deeper as she pulled her hand
1T was made out of dime" There
was no further explanation leLe
same beans in the oven ana must 80
she said and left.
When she reached her home she
went ND to her room and snatched the
ring from her finger as II 1t burned
and threw it into a bureau drawer out
of sight. .,,,
She stamped her foot angrily on the
CARPET. HE didn't care for me or ne
never would have given me a ring thae
would hold me up to scorn. On, yes,
he has been good to me. But theh ne
thing else" Her pride nad Deen
She hoped her husband would miss
the ring and thus give her chance 70
say something. But If he did not miss
the ring he missed something else
her usual CHEEKY chat
Are you i'll, Frances?" he asked
with real concern in his voice.
mo" she answered CURLY.
HAS anything happened then
he Cd
Her tones caused him apprehension.
amelia Jones and Bob Dalesford
are engaged she said finally, not
knowing just how to begin:
rs that all p he laughed.
Mrs. Berkeley did not smile
bob gave Amelia a beautiful dia-
mond ring which showed that ne
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. 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
fen-cent ring!-a target for ridicule. You
could have afford to have given me d
diamond ring better than Bob Dales-
ford could afford to give Amelia one,
yet you did not even give me gold
ne-and-and-and you pretended to
love me. I was a fool. I know better
now
Mr.. Berkeley WINGED as if he had been
struck. He rose and left the room, and
Mrs. Berkley noticed with a 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 on much as usual. only
instead of cheer, sunshine and sym
pathy there was 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
Several days had passed thus when
another diamond was flashed before
Mrs Berkley's astonished eyes, this
time the ring was in the hand of her
husband.
Il have brought you diamond to
show that I care for you; yes, I care
very much indeed" he said earnestly.
Give me your hand and we will see
how it will 1T" He tried to speak play
fully.
Il don't want the diamond. How can
I wear two wedding rings?"
Then he noticed the slender silver
band on her finger. A happy light lit
up his face.
Il want you to wear the diamond
ring anyway. Give me tne silver ring
and I will wear it next my heart out Of
sight"
4 am going to wear the silver ring
always said Mrs. Berkeley determined
". Then suddenly and severely, Joe
Berkeley. how much did you pay for
that diamond? ?"
..Three hundred dollars"
where did you get the money! You
told men when you bought that last LOT
of goods that you only had fifty dollars
left in the bank" A frightened look
came intc-he face You didn't?'
mo. I 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.
Zoe Berkeley. I had just come to the
that was a fool, but new
er dreamed you were one. too2'
IT thought diamond was necessary
to show that I loved YOU"
well. If you care for me now you