The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-07-17
THE HAND AND THE RIAG
6ss1v 80 y .s
Y BY vANE TREMAlNE.

read the morning paper. All around
him were other men and women press
Ing closely as the train bored swiftly
through the underground passage.
I At Thirty-fourth street, when the
car was numerically packed, Jack felt
q tug at the pocket of his loose storm
coat. His hand slipped down swiftly
and closed on another hand, soft,
satiny little hand. that struggled In his
for moment and then freed itself,
leaving something metallic in his
grasp.
Another man, tall like himself.
pressed closely. He was bending down
talking to a girl standing by him
whose face Jack could not see.
Jack smiled grimly. The train was
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 it until he
had reached his Office and opened his
desk
Thep. with an odd sense Of curios-
Ity, be opened his clenched hand and |
looked at the ring which he had slip
ped from the intruding hand in his
pocket.
1t was well worth looking at, too
a woman's ring, magnificent emer-
aid, surrounded by brilliants.
Good heavens!" gasped Jack. star
Ing at the valuable jewel. What have
I done?"
Cool reflection told him that pos
sibly he had been made receptacle
for stolen goods by thief.
He locked the ring in his safe and
proceeded with the business of the
day. Every morning he kept close
watch of the daily papers to see IL
the loss was advertised But he found
no hint OF it.
Occasionally there came the recol-
lection of that satiny little hand which
had struggled with his in the crush 9f
the car where all we're wedged tightly
like sheep In pen. And the touch
OF that strange hand thrilled him per-
sistently.
Jack Bronson was in love. II any
one person was responsible for this
fact 1t might be his sister. Fanny. who
had invited him down to spend tho
weekend, and there introduced him
to Alice Selden.
Miss Selden was wonderful girl.
Jack had discovered almost immediate
iy. She tas the only girl he had ever
met whom he could really picture as
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. as
You never wear any rings" he said
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 said
rather pensively. 1T was darling
ring. and to punish myself for losing
II have vowed not to wear another
uulli luQ L.
Not any ring at all?" quavered
Jack, who had been dreaming OF plac-
ing an engagement ring on her pretty
hand.
"No." she said firmly.
Il want to free you from your rash
vow. | want to make 4 possible for
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
rounded by diamonds. Father gave 1t
to me on my last birthday. l lost II
In the subway. 1t was rather an odd
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
your"
ohc tAOducu dcoCht anu hc pdS5Cu
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 a 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
iy commanded. When he saw she had
obeyed him he took the emerald ring
from his pocket and slipped it on the
little finger Of her right hand.
At its touch Alice uttered a cry.
ITS mine. Jaek-my ring" she
laughed
Now l can tell you. was with
my brother Arthur. The car was
crowded aud we we're standing. l fell
faint and put my hand, as l thought
into Arthur's pocket to get my little
handbag. had slipped 1t in there fol
safe-keeping. The pocket was empt,
and was just going 10 speak to Ar
thur about 1t when your hand grippet
mine. l managed to get my hant