Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1914-05-15
His Grandmother S
Ring
By SARAH BAXTER

run away with their heads. He In
herited a fortune, but so many OF his
friends needed it that by the time
they got through borrowing there was
nothing left for Jim. However, his
credit was good, which enabled him to
continue to dress well and be able
to send flowers to his sweethearts.
But after his bills had run a long
while without being paid no more
credit was given him. Then there was
a gradual dropping off of friends, both
men and women, till Jim found him
self out in the cold.
Among the girls who had received
many attentions involving the expendi-
ture of money was Lucy Edmonds,
young lady of independent means She
was practical in all respects except in
loving Jim.
Jims assets were reduced to dia-
mond ring that had been handed down
to him from his grandmother. He had
shown it to Lucy, who admired it
greatly and would have offered to buy
it, but she knew that If she did jim
would give it to her. so she said moth
ing about 1t except that she could not
respect him if he parted with it.
Burton q Co, tailOrs, to whom Jim
owed money for clothes, put the ac-
count in the hands of Miss Stevens, a
woman collector, who, being some
what acquainted with members of the
upper ten thousand. showed great in
genuity in collecting bad debts. Among
other things that the collector knew
was that Jim was attentive to Lucy
Edmonds. What does the woman do
| but call upon him. saying that Miss
| Edmonds had sent her as one of a
number who would make up a sum
for charity Miss Stevens told a pitt
full story of a widow with a dozen
children who needed help and said that
Miss Edmonds had assured her that
he would give her nice sum for the
| purpose.
This was putting a screw on Jim's
heart and another screw on his desire
to obey request from the girl he
wanted Not having a cent to give,
he took his grandmother's ring around
the corner to q pawnshop, borrowed
$50 on 1t and gave it to Miss Stevens.
The amount realized by this device
was about half Of what Jim owed his
tailors.
Miss Stevens was so proud of her in
genious method of collecting a debt
that she boosted Of 1t to an intimate
friend, who revealed it to several per-
sons, and it reached the ears Of Miss
Edmonds. She Immediately made the
round Of the pawnshOps till she found
Jim's ring. redeemed it and, having il
in her possession. sent for jim.
"Jim," she said, 81 have decided that
l can't be happy without you, 50 will
marry You since you seem to want
me-"
jim folded her in his arms.
"There is one thing. however," Lucy
continued after her lovers transports
were somewhat exhausted. There
must be no extravaganza on your part
connected with our engagement"
Jim declared that he was reformed
already.
"In the matter of the engagement
ring | desire that you give me the heir
loom that has been handed down K
you from your grandmother"
Jim was paralyzed.
81 would much prefer it," Lucy wen
on, "to a modern one purchased espe
cially, and by using it you will avoit
any expense"
But, my dear love, what will people
say at my not giving you a new ring
They will consider me stingy."
at doesn't matter what they say 81
long as l am satisfied"
Every WELL sweetheart; be it as 20,
say"
Bring it to me this evening"
This evening"
eyes; am dying to possess it."
wouldn't tomorrow do?"
"No. Why do you hesitate? Hav
J you parted with it?"
parted with it. Did you not tel
} me that you would cease to respect m
if did that?"
Jim, go at once and bring me tn
Iing.'
impossible. keep it in safet
deposit vault and can't get it afte
8 p. m"
He said this so earnestly, with s
honest cOuntenance, that Lucy burs
out laughing.
"YOu don't trust me-" moaned Jim.
"Trust you! or course don't. Yo
haven't the ring. You were fooled b
: woman who said | had sent her
you for charity. You had no money
give her, so you went out and pawne
the ring. And yet you say you hav
reformed"
, 81 have-from the moment you tol
a me that you would be mine"
Jim, | am making a fool Of myse
In not sending you about your bushes
4 but can't help 1t. Here is the RIM