Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-11-19
THE LADIES. :"

THE LADIES.
Frank Manton stood in front of his
dressing table, raking over the contents
of little fiat jewelry case. He was
dressing for dance at Miss Laughton's
and his cuff links were missing. As
usual, when anything of his was not in
its accustomed place, he searched his
brothers belongings before overturning
his own.
Charles table stood in the opposite
corner. He crossed the room, pulled out
the top drawer, and began overhauling
tumble of gloves, ties, socks and hand
kerchiefs In the back part of the
drawer was an overturned leather box.
Under it, in medley of studs, pins and
buttons, were the links. He picked them
from the litter, roughly smoothed the
| top of the confusion into semblance of
order, and was just closing the drawer
when something caught his eye. 1t was
II little pink slip. on it was written in a
coarse, stubby hand: Turquoise and dia-
mond marquise rings" and there was a
| loan of G5.
He stood staring at it, his forehead
drawn down in deep wrinkles and a
tense look about his lips.
well, | like your nervel''
| Frank turned as his brother entered
the ROOM
"Tm only going through your things
to get back what you went through
mine to take. If l hadn't had to, /
shouldn't have seen things you didn't
want me to know"
Il suppose" returned the other, you
are referring to that beastly pawn
ticket"
''Yes-and | think you said it about
of wearing her ring, to wear it openly,
and then to pawn it. is beastly-worse
than beastly. Beasts have honor where
their weaker sex is concerned-you have
not a grain.'
"Oh, | say, you'll have to cut that.
| haven't stolen tue ring, you know, and
tomorrow's payday. | only pawned it
last night, and | was in deuce of a
hole If you weren't SO confoundedly
proper
and you Were going to wait until to-
morrow TO redeem it, when you are to
see her tonight?'
81 couldn't very well do it before,
could |? Besides, I'm broke"
Frank Manton looked at his brother
for a moment.
What do you suppose she'd think of
you, if she knew" he asked.
Charlie shifted uneasiIy.
But she won't know" he said eva
sively, that is, unless you tell her.
Frank looked his brother in the ewes.
Give me the ticket" he said.
what for?'
Pm going to redeem it"
Tonight ?"
Eyes, tonight"
But the dance"
Il can go late. I'm not escorting any
one" -
And what will you do with the ring
make a grand scene with your brother
as the heavy villain?"
I'm going to give it to you at Miss
Laughton's. You can do the scene max
ing on your own account"
Charlie dropped his bravado
Frank" he said, you're trump."
DON'T said his brother, sharplv "It
the station. The ring was in his pocket
and from time to time his FINGERS
touched caresslngly the little square box
that contained it. He knew. without
asking, to whom it belonged He had
often watched it sparkling on Miss
Laughton's hand. She had beautiful
hands-slendeT and white, with fnoers
pink tipped and tapering. Charlie must
have held them. He shut his lips firmly
at the thought. Charlie was his brother
If he were only steady he could
bear it; but Charlie would break her
heart. He shook his head. as If 10
chase away the torturing thouphts
which crowded his brain, and tried to
lose himself in the rattle of the train.
Miss Laughton saw him as he en-
tered the crowded room, and came era
ciously toward him.
You are late" she said. looking nm
frankly into Mantons tense face; ssbut
you are quite excusable your brother
has explained your hardness. We won
en- have always to give way where busi-
ness interests are concerned. We're not
having all dancing this evening" abe
continued; it's so warm; and it's the
first time we've met together this sea
son; and, of course, everybody wants TO
talk about the summer happenings: so
we're having progressive conversation.