Gilpin observer., 1915-07-22
THE HAND AND THE RING
BY vANE TREMAINE.

through the underground passage.
At Thirty-fourth street, when tn,
car was numerically packed, Jack fel
q tug at the pocket of his loose storm
coat. His hand slipped down swift,
and closed on another hand, soft
satiny little hand, that struggled in hi
for a moment and then freed itself
grasp.
Another man, tall like himself
pressed closely. He was bending dow
talking to a girl standing by hin
whose face Jack could not see.
Jack smiled grimly The train wa,
slowing down at his station and he
wormed his way out to the street, his
unseen booty clasped in his hand.
He did not once look at 1t until ht
had reached his Office and opened hi.
desk.
Then, with an odd sense of curios
looked at the ring which he had slip
ped from the intruding hand in hi,
pocket
1t was well worth looking at, too
woman's ring, magnificent emer
aid, surrounded by brilliants.
Good heavens." gasped Jack, star
ing at the valuable jewel. What have
| done?"
Cool reflection told him that pos
sibly he had been made a receptacle
for stolen goods by a thief.
He locked the ring in his safe ant
proceeded with the business of the
day. Every morning he kept a clost
watch of the daily papers to see i
the loss was advertised. But he fount
no hint of it.
Occasionally there came the recol
lection of that satiny little hand which
had struggled with his in the crush ,
the car where all were wedged tightly
like sheep in a pen. And the toucl
of that strange hand thrilled him per
sistently.
Jack Bronson was in love. If any
one person was responsible for this
fact it might be his sister. Fanny. who
had invited him down to spend the
weekend, and there introduced hin
to Alice Selden
Miss Selden was a wonderful girl
Jack had discovered almost immediate
ly. She was the only girl he had evei
met whom he could really picture a.
his wife.
They got on together remarkably
well, too They enjoyed the same
sports, the same books, the same pic
tures-practically the same every
thing.
You never wear any rings" he saic
as they sat together on the beach
Alice looked down at her little
tanned fingers and shook her dainty
head
Il used to wear-one," she sale
rather pensively. "It was a darlinf
ring, and to punish myself for losinl
it l have vowed not to wear another
until find it"
Not any ring at all?" quavereo
Jack, who had been dreaming of plac
ing an engagement ring on her pretty
hand
ANos ohC ohio
Il want to free you from your rast
vow. l want to make it possible 70,
you to indulge in at least one ring
he said earnestly.
Alice blushed again. for there was
no mistaking his meaning.
What sort of ring was it,"
"A cluster ring. an emerald sur
Ind dnI htr 1tov,
to me on my last birthday. l lost ii
in the subway 1t was rather an ode
affair-if you don't mind. I'd rather
not talk about 1t any more"
Then she proceeded to change the
subject.
Il want to speak to you." whispered
Jack as they met next morning in the
breakfast room. Join me on the
beach in half an hour. May / expect
you"
She nodded assent and he passed
on. When they met he told her OF
his love for her. and his utter inabili
ty to live without her.
When she, in turn. confessed that
his swift wooing had won her heart
he would have slipped blazing soil
taire on her finger. but she drew her
hand away hastily.
my vow, you know" she reminded
him.
Close your eyes," he almost sharp
ly commanded. When he saw she had
obeyed him he took the emerald ring
from his pocket and slipped 1t on the
little finger Of her right hand.
At its touch Alice uttered cry.
ITS mine. Jack-my ring" she
laughed
Now l can tell you. | was with
my brother Arthur The car was
crowded and we were standing. felt
faint and put my hand. as thought,
into Arthur's pocket to get my little
handbag. I had slipped it in there for
safe-keeping. The pocket was empty
and was just going to speak to Ar.
thur about IL when your hand pripned