The Lamar register., 1915-12-01
WHAT WILL JACK SAY?
BY ELLIS GRAY.

that In his dellrlum ne was alralu II
would burst and scatter his brains
over the snowy uniform of his nurse.
That would have been dreadful, for
not for the world would he have any
thing happen to the dainty. immacu-
late bit OF femininity who was taking
care of him.
One other thing worried him besides
his head. 1t was the diamond ring
his nurse wore on her left hand. To
his distorted senses it seemed to be
intolerably in the way. II she would
only put it on the other nand it
wouldn't bother him so much.
Won't you tell me who the lucky
man is?'' he asked one day as he lay
back weakly among his pillows
watching her make out a report for
the doctor.
What do you mean she asked.
looking up startled from her writing.
Then. seeing his eyes on her hand. she
colored. "Not-not now" she faltered.
Some day, perhaps. Don't you think
you had better have your nap now
Mr.. Hale?"
Bob got better. And Violet, one
dreary day, exchanged her white uni
form for blue broadcloth suit and de
parted, taking with her all that life
held dear for him.
For weeks Bob thought of every ex
cuse under the sun to see her. But
he always gave up in despair. There
was no honorable way he could think
of. Besides, what was the use when
she was not. and never could be his.
One day he lost collie pup. and
looking over the ads in daily paper,
found the following item right under
his nose:
LOST-A solitaire diamond ring
on a Bellevue car or on Washing
ton avenue. Bellevue. Finder VIII
please return to Miss Violet Lari-
mar. R9 Washington avenue. and
receive liberal reward.
Eureka. have found it, ex
claimed Bob, meaning. of course,
neither the ring nor the dog. but an
excuse to see once more the only girl
he could ever care for
The plan that presented itself so
suddenly was this To try to inter
cept the finder and thereby return it
in person. 1t was the only Legitimate
excuse he could possibly trump W
for seeing her once more.
Bob boarded Bellevue car. got on
At Washington street and slipped
through the street gate set in high
privet hedge. Just inside was clumI
of hydrangeas on level with his
head He could stand there screened
from the street and house and inter
cept anyone who looked as though he
hn Iva IN
diamond. It's a beautiful fix to be
in. playing detective to get another
fellows ring for the girl love- Bot
admitted. But it's the only way ]
can see here!"
Suddenly he heard voices coming
down the patch from the house He
stepped back among the shrubs until
the people should pass when he heard
Violet herself exclaim Let US sit
here on the bench. father. and wait
for the car II won't be along for Ave
minutes and I'm so afraid OF MISSING
someone who might come to return
dear Jacks ring
Then she began to cry It's dread
ful to lose 1t. just loved IL"
Bob felt queer. II Violet loved thu
other fellow like that. what us" was
there for him to try TO see her any
way? He was not proud of the par
he was playing He decided that a.
soon as Violet and her father departed
he would leave the place forever.
But. as fate would have it. Just as
soon as Bob gave up the idea of find
ing the ring the ring found him. He
didn't know It, of course, when he
picked up the soggy rag doll that had
lain out all night under the bushes
but. turning 1t over. he discovered
something on a piece OF string around
the dolls neck. 1t was Violet's en-
gagement ring. the ring her beloved
Jack had given her!
Bob slipped dolly's finery into his
pocket and waited for the occupants
of the bench to depart. That evening
he called her on the telephone.
Good evening, Miss Larimar. This
is Robert Hale. Do you remember
me?"
Indeed. yesl" came back in sur.
prised tones. Il could hardly have for.
gotten you so soon, Mr.. Hale"
81 saw your advertisement in the
paper and have the pleasure of in
forming you that I have found a dia
mond ring which may be yours. / am
sending II to you by registered mail.