The Pulaskian., 1915-12-24
WHAT WILL JACK SAY?
By ELLIS GRAY.


 that in his delirium he was afraid it 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. It was the diamond ring bis nurse wore on her left hand. To his distorted senses it seemed to be intolerably in the way. If she would only put it on the other hand 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 MT. 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 a daily paper, found the following item right under his nose:
 LOST-A solitaire diamond ring
 on Bellevue car or on Washing
 ton avenue. Bellevue Finder will
 please return to Miss Violet Lari- mar. 29 Washington avenue. and
 receive liberal reward.
 Eureka, I 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. J The plan that presented itself so suddenly was this: To try to inter- cept the finder, and thereby return it in person. It was the only legitimate excuse he could possibly trump up for seeing her once more.
 Bob boarded a Bellevue car, got off at Washington street and slipped through the street gate set in high 7 privet hedge. Just inside was clump of hydrangeas on level with his head. He could stand there screened from the street and house and inter- 7 cept anyone who looked as though he or she were coming to return a lost diamond. Its beautiful fix to be in, playing detective to get another fellows ring for the girl I love- Bob admitted. But it's the only way I 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 It won't be along for five minutes and I'm so afraid of missing someone who might come to return dear Jacks ring.
 Then she began to cry. Its dread ful to lose it. I just loved it!"
 Bob felt queer. If Violet loved the other fellow like that, what use was there for him to try to see her any way? He was not proud of the part he was playing. He decided that as soon as Violet and her father departed he would leave the place forever. e 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 it over, he discovered something on piece of string around the dolls neck. It 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, yes!" came back in sur prised tones. T could hardly have for gotten you so soon, MT. Hale"
 sT saw your advertisement in the paper and have the pleasure of in- forming you that have found a dia- mond ring which may be yours. I am sending it to you by registered mail" He said it as formally as possible, wondering if the transmitter would convey the hammering of his heart.
 How perfectly grand! I'll be so glad to get it back, if it really is mine. But can't you bring it out ? Why send it? Would it be very much trouble?'
 Was he dreaming, or were her words a trifie wistful?
 Why, yes! That is, thank you very much, but you see-I mean, what