The Cairo bulletin., 1907-11-08
THE PLASTE Err
HAND
~ GRACE BRvToN

l
but she was lovable and charming
Her hands made strong point for
her--they were 80 white and soft and
appealing Whenever Billy Dunn, her
lover. was permitted to press one OF
these lovely hands he entered the
seventh heaven. He loved Just to
| look at the dainty palm and daintier
| fingers.
Wherefore, when an artist friend
begged the privilege OF casting the
pretty right hand In plaster Billy rest
cd not until he had secured possession
of the plaster cast.
u take it wherever | co." he told
Grace. and truly-Billy was travel
Ing man and covered many long miles
every month. AT night take 1t out
Of the silk lined leather case ! have
had specially made for 1t, and lay 1t
before me- 1t never fails to comfort
my loneliness and keeps me In my
room many time when otherwise
| might be out with the boys"
Whenever you feel like going out
with the boys the plaster hand must
come back to me- Grace answered
grayely. Il don't propose to give my
hand, not even plaster cast OF 1t.
to young man who isn't living up
to his best"
II couldn't fail to try to, at least"
Billy made response, with that dear
little hand before me. | use 1t for a
paper weight when | write my letters,
and 1t brings me more happiness and
good thoughts than you know"
There came a time, moreover, when
1t kept Billy's life and love intact for
his sweetheart. Good at heart, but
none too determined, Billy temporari-
ly had fallen under the wiles Of
charmer exceedingly different from
Grace. had spent, swayed by her al
ternate coaxings and tauntings, not
only his own money but also money
belonging to the firm at a certain al
Turing gambling table. He left the
place dazed and hopeless. Nothing
but disaster lay before him Well, at
his confused thoughts wan
dered he need not face the trouble
In person, There was always the pis-
tol way out :
II did not seem such bad way, SO
long ais the 6naceustomed stimulant
clouded his brain, but 1t seemed
horrible way when his eyes fell on the
little white hand he had taken out of
Jfy,fr hxafr 10
hotel at the behest of the heartless
.harmer. A bitter pang transfixed
him at the thought of leaving Grace
behind perhaps for some better fell
owl He sank into a chair beside the
able and buried his face in his hands.
When he looked UP presently he
,ould have sworn that the plaster
hand lay nearer, the pistol farther
sway, than when he had dropped his |
lead to the table. And the gently |
urving fingers actually seemed to
adiate a stern command, an fnterdic-
ION, as they pointed towards the
istol. His head dropped again, and
ghen he raised 1t there were tears In
lis eyes, tears of repentance and
hame and sorrow.
And now II seemed that the gently
urving fingers limited at comfort and
ender pity. No it seemed they almost
poke.
Suddenly he rose and, grasping the
istol, locked 1t out of sight--as one
Tho diEtrusts his own powers OF re-
lsal. Then he sat for a long time
18th the plaster hand pressed to his
cart. He laid 1t down only to write
NO letters, long one to Grace and
hort one to the firm. explaining the
nth fully, and asking for another
hance. Then he went to bed and
ept as sleeps the prisoner who
nows not what the morrow may
ring forth.
The morrow brought him reprieve.
he head OF the firm lectured, was
rieved. disappointed, and SO on. He
ad not thought SO sensible a man as
r.. Dunn could have acted In 80
rong, SO foolish a manner. Still-he
the full confession and
ranted the second chance.
AS for Grace
Take out the plaster hand and look
It," came her reply as quick as the
ails could bring It. "If you think 1t
hand that could turn against a
lend In trouble send II back to me
ld-receive your ring in return. III
,t--let me see you as soon as you
n"
II WIS soon that he saw her, and
as fully forgiven. And 1t was not
UGH later that the plaster hand was
legated to second place In his affec-
,ns, since upon the dear flesh and
God member from which 1t had been
odeled he had placed q plain gold
ng.