The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-23
His Grandmother's
Ring
BY SARAH BAXTER

nothing left for Jim However, ms
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, a
young lady OF independent means. She
was practical in all respects except In
loving Jim.
Jim's assets were reduced to dia-
mond ring that had been handed down
to him from his grandmother. He mad
shown it to Lucy who admired 1t
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 it except that she could not
respect him if he parted with it,
Burton & Co, tailors, TO whom Jim
owed money for clothes, put the ac-
count in the hands of Miss Stevens,
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 pitt
full story of widow with a dozen
children who needed help and said that
Miss Edmonds had assured her that
he would give her a nice sum for the
purpose.
Inls was putting 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 a pawnshop. borrowed
$50 on 1t and gave it TO Miss Stevens.
was about half of what Jim owed his
tailors.
Miss Stevens was so proud OF her in
genions method of collecting a debt
that she boosted of it 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 1t
in her possession. sent for Jim.
Jim" she said, II have decided that
can't be happy without you, so 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.
I'm the matter of the engagement
ring, / desire that you give me the heir
loom that has been handed down to
you from your grandmother"
Jim was paralyzed.
Il would much prefer it, Lucy went
on, ito modern one purchased espe-
cially. and by using it you will avoid
any expense"
But. my dear love, what will people
say at my not giving you new ring?
They will consider me stingy,"
1T doesn't matter what they say so
long as | am satisfied.
Very well, sweetheart; be it as you
say"
Bring it to me this evening"
This EVENING"
Eyes; am dying to possess it."
wouldn't tomorrow do?''
mo. why do yNi hesitate? Have
you parted with it,"
Parted with it! Did you not tell
me that you would cease to respect me
IL / did that?"
"Jim. go at once and bring me the
ring"
Impossible keep it in safety
deposit vault and can't get it after
3 p. M"
He said this so earnestly. with so
honest a countenance. that Lucy burst
out laughing,
"You don't trust me-" moaned Jim.
Trust you. OF course don't. You
haven't the ring. You were fooled by
n woman who said | had sent her to
you for charity You. had no money to
rive her so You went out and pawned
the ring And yet you say you have
81 have-from the moment you told
me that you would be mine"
Jim, | am making a fool Of myself |
in not sending you about your business.
but | can't help it. Here is the ring, |
! have redeemed ii"
Going to a drawer in an escritoire. |
she drew forth the heirloom.
Jim stood abashed for a moment. |
then said
"Lucy. you are right l am not |
worthy of so lovely a girl. accept !
your consent TO marry me only on pro-
baton. If within three months | am |
not reformed turn me down"
Jim went TO work and in work found |
something TO help him to resist temp |
tation. He won his girl and made a
very good husband. But II took time |