The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-06-11

Jack Winton slipped the ring on
Esther's slim finger and kissed her
tenderly. This p1ights our troth,
sweetheart; it is the betrothal ring
of the Wintons; my great-great-grand-
father bought it as a marriage ring for
his wife and since then it has been
used by the oldest son to solemnize
his engagement. I know you will
treasure it the more for it's associa-
tions--as I do"
ut is lovely, Jack; nothing else
could have delighted me more"
Esther's blissfully happy face con-
f1rmed her words and the hour that
followed was one long remembered
afterward when the ring ceased to
shine on Esther's finger.
When Jack had taken his departure,
Esther stole up to her room and lay
down to dream. Esther dreamed that
she wore the topaz ring and one after
another the former owners had torn
1t from her finger and led her a weary
chase to recover it. In the morning
she arose pale and unrefreshed
Mrs. Appleton sat with impatient
eyes on the clock awaiting Esther's
appearance at the breakfast table.
Ever since the girl had come to live
with her aunt and guardian, she had
tried not to break the cast iron rules
and regulations that governed the
house. Now she appeared with guilty
haste.
You are ten minutes late, Esther"
chided Mrs. Appleton as they sat at
table.
Il am sorry. aunt Augusta did
not sleep we'll until morning and did
not hear the rising bell"
Instead of administering the rebuke
that was on her lips, the older wom-
ans eyes widened with establishment
about her mouth.
THAT is your engagement ring, l
suppose, Esther" she said when the
servant left them alone
Esther flushed and held out her
hand. yes, Isn't it dear of Jack to
give me an heirloom, aunt Augusta?
This ring was worn by his great
great-grandmother and all the women
Of the family since then. 1 don't be-
lieve there is another like it in the
world"
Mrs. Appleton bent above the ring
an instant and then resumed her
said dryly.
why, aunt Augusta" Esthers
tone was hurt and she flushed deeply.
What do you mean?"
Il mean it's a cheap, tawdy, penny
prize-package sort of a thing to give
girl nowadays! It's merely another
instance of the Winton stinginess-
worth millions and one would never
know it by any outward sign!"
That is what 1 like about Jack"
said Esther sturdily. "He did not
give me the ring because he was
mean, but because of the associations
love is not always measured by the
amount of money one spends. 1 am
proud to wear this ring!"
81 am glad you are-I hope you will
be as proud when you show it to your
friehds-I can fancy what Edith Fame
will think" remarked Mrs. Appleton
cuttingly as she arose and left the
room
Esther had little time to ponder
over Mrs. Appleton's sighting re-
marks-perhaps she was only too well
accustomed to the singing darts to
mind the pin pricks of this mornings
conversation. Her day was filed with
agements-shopping a luncheon,
a reception and several teas. The
luncheon was given by Anne Bellew
10 announce her engagement to a cop
per magnate.
! To the dozen girls gathered about
the charmingly arranged luncheon
table, Esther's sweet secret was all I'M
| Bellew and the beautiful betrothal
gifts they had brought to her in an
| ticipation of the announcement.
! After luncheon they gathered IN
Anne's boudoir and admired the gifts.
Suddenly mischievous Edith Fame
caught Esther's left hand in her own
and touched the topaz ring.
! Caught" she cried gleefully; girls
guess what has happened! Esther
Is wearing the Winton betrothal ring!"
Esther's blushing face admitted the
fact of her engagement and they
crowded about her with congratula-
tons. Anne Bellew, alone, stood pale
and quiet. 1t i'll suited her vanity to
have Esther's engagement to the
parti of the season take the bloom
from her own announcement
You have not seen the ring, Anne"
cried Edith; its the dearest old thing
lmaginable-so charming to have an
heirloom Of that sort, you know"
Anne bit her lip-no one knew bet
ter than herself how she would have
chosen to ally herself with the his
toric Winton family-as it was, the
copper magnate.
II have seen the ring quite recent
ly," said Anne with a little scornful
smile.
'Of course-old Mrs. Winton always
wore it with her wedding ring: but
she has been dead three years." re-