Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-05-22

quaintance with me, This young lady
spoke to her We've had quite long
chat together. I've told her all about
you, and the Don. ana the ring he gave
you. Show it TO her lie"
Hes got it wits nim,'' she said in
answer to my protest, "and | know YOU
would like to see it, now wouldn't YOU -
admitted that / should, and we
walked into one of the arcades so that
! might examine it in quiet and at leis-
IRE; Joe was typical sailor, bluff and
hearty, with pleasant fact and open
smile that was very engaging. did not
wonder that Nance was proud OF him.
The ring was not new, but it was a
real beauty. To my inexperienced eyes
| it seemed worth far more than the ESQ
or 800 at which Nance appraised it.
Wont the stone look lovely in a
brooch Nance said enthusiastically
| Then, as Joe put the ring back in his
pocket, You got the money all right ?''
No, not until tomorrow Joe said
casually. The advice note has not ar
rived. We shall have to stay here all
night"
I'VE can't" Nance said quickly. I've
got 10 money"
why, j gave you f2 yesterday
Eyes, | know, but / lent it to Mrs.
Bradshaw this morning. She wanted it
to make up bill, and | was so sure
| you would get your money all right"
| Joe looked at her in blank astonish-
ment. Then, seeing how nervous and
uneasy she was, laughed heartily. IF
] you amt the easiest old shoe in the
/ Il, Il I, n .sT
you'd part with your own skin if you
could get it off and anyone asked for it,
The tears were trimming in Nance's
eyes. Her distress moved me to sym
| pathy. Gould not you go home and
return in the morning. l asked.
| No, that's the worst of it, Nance
replied I'VE were going on 10 my sis
te- at Preston so we didn't take return
| tickets. | don't know whatever we
shall do, unless"-she stopped and
looked at me appealingly- unless you
could lend me sovereign and take the
ring as security. ] am sure we could
trust you with it, and if you will give
us your address we will bring you the
| money as soon as Joe draws it in the
morning"
IF | had sovereign l would gladly
1Chd ~ " JOus Sdlu GAutululys buI
Ten shillings would see us over the
night" Joe said tentatively.
Then | had to confess that had pur-
posely come out without money so that
the shops might not tempt me to spend
| it. Suddenly bright idea struck me.
why not pawn the ring?" | suggested.
Nance caught at the suggestion eager
| ly. Yes, get couple of pounds on it,
Joe, and wen have good dinner some
where and 90 to the theater. Come on"
At the entrance to the Arcade we
parted, they going one way, / the other.
Suddenly, and without motive, | turneo
and followed them. They passed a
pawnshop and entered the nearest pub
| lie house Curiosity mingled with sus-
piciun led me to await their exit
When they came out Nance crossed
the road and Joe, on the opposite foot
way. sauntered slowly, keeping his eye
on Ter. At a jewelers. window Nance
made an unsuccessful attempt to get
into conversation with lady. Then the
whole business was clear to me.
Nance was clever tTickster, Joe was
fraud, the Don was Pigment of her
imagination, the ring was sham, and
I'll was an unsophisticated country
girl, whose penury had saved her from
falling ready victim to the confidence
| trick-Katherine Hall in the Manches-
| ter Chronicle.