Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-02-07
F0r1NLender
SlEUev Ring

Those are the very words l used" said
Amelia Jones as she flashed a diamond
before Mrs. Berkley's astonlshed eyes.
"And Bob?"
"Oh. he first looked surprised, then
angry: muttered something about the
ring being set with my birthday stone
and that II was the best he could AZ
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 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. Berkeley. Il don't
see how he could afford it, for he IL not
as well off as Joe was before we We're
married"
A sudden thought strucl, her, for she
slyly concealed her left hand. but not
before Amelia had noticed the action.
ooh, Mrs. Berkeley" she said impul-
svely, do let me see your wedding
ring. | do not remember noticing 1t.
know 1t must be something fine, for
they do say that Joe Berkeley was
heels over head in love with you before
YOU were married"
!. flush spread over Mrs. Berkleys
face.
1T is not diamond" she faltered
Il am sure, then. it 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 n 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 n ring Mr.. Berkeley
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
1T was made ont of Il dime" There
was no further explanation 81 left
me beans in the oven and must 90"
said she and left
When she reached her home she went
up to her room and snatched the ring
from hnr tinpnp nc If II l11rppI
threw it into a bureau drawer out of
sight.
Il never will wear it again -neverl'
She stamped her foot angrily on the
carpet. 'He didn't care for me or he
never would have given me a 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 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
'No," she answered CURLY.
HAS anything happened, then?"
ooh. 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. Berliley 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 ut the finger that should have
worn the wedding ring
She noticed his glance and answered
1t. Il never will wear it again. for you
did not care anything for me when YOU
gave me such 4 ring as that-a paltry
ten cent ring, target for ridicule.
You could have afforded TO have given
me diamond ring better than Bob
Dalestord could afford to give Amelia
one, yet you did not even give me a
gold -and-and and YOU pretended
TO love me. | was a fool knaw bet
ter now
Mr.. Berkeley WINGED as if he had
been struck. He rose and left the
room, ana Mrs. Berliley noticed with n
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
r:a- and things went on much as
usual, only instead OF cheer. sunshine
and sympathy there were silence,
aa'm and misunderstanding. Mrs.
aerhley could not help noticing the
F-ard look that had settled down Oh
'."r husbands face, aud when she
looked into the glass she knew that her
own face was getting pale.
Several days had passed thus when
'aother diamond was flashed before
Mrs Berkleys eyes this time the ring
was IN the hand Of her husband
u have brought YOU n diamond to
.hoW that | care for YOU yea I care
very much indeed he said ear. tly.
Give me your hand and we VIII zee
how it will fit" He trle to speak
ulayfully.