Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-03-04
1 RING AND 4 GIRL
Copyright,

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Buxz-xz-xxi
I yawned. stretched. glanced at the
clock. and jumped hastily out Of bed.
IL was nearly nine o'clock, and had
been awakened by the buzxer Of our
apartment I wan accustomed 20 beina
called In the morning by my mother,
and a. she was Away ON this particular
day, had overslept.
Scarcely awake. I slipped ON my
bathrobe and slippers. opened the door
q bit, and received from the Lad stand
Ing there four suits Of clothes that had
been TO the tailor's for rejuvenation.
Blinking. got the requisite two dol
lars from my pocketbook. paid the Lad,
and hurriediy made my toilet for the
day. thinking meanwhile OF the dell
cious coffee and toast and boiled eggs
which my mother was In the habit of
preparing for me-, and which would
not get on this particular morning.
But az IL was 90 late when I was
finally ready for public appearance, I
decided TO wait TIL had put in an ap.
pearance at the Office before break
fasting. and I went directly TO the sub
way station near at hand.
My hand In my change pocket, az I
stood before the ticket window. suf.
fered shock. There was nothing
there except four pennies and two
keys. And I remembered well enough
now that had no bills.
II was Saturday, and pay day, but
that benefited me little. when I was
here at One Hundred and Sixteenth
street. and the Office on lower Broad.
way.
I had given my last two dollars to
the boy from the tailor shop. and now
] had not enough money to get down
town. II had not been % sleepy when
the lad had come with my clothes l
would have remembered my unusual
financial condition.
OF course, could walk down town,
but that would take over two hours,
and was late as it was. Perhaps the
ticket agent would lend me q penny,
but ! could not get myself to beg Il Of
him.
OF course. all sorts of ideas flashed
through my mind. but each involved
explaining my predicament to some.
one. A fash from my ring gave me
an inspiration. ! would pawn Il for
my car fare and return that afternoon
after ! had received my pay and re-
deem Il.
Across Morningside park, on Eighth
avenue, I had noticed n place where
the three golden balls gave promise
of help to the needy.
My aunt had sent me ten dollars
about q week before. telling me TO get
q ring for my birthday with the money.
and the ring now took on was the
one had procured.
How much do you want?" asked
the proprietor.
twenty-five cents" ! replied faint.
ly.
He looked at me a moment I'm an
parent surprise.
Better take q dollar" he replied.
1T won't cost any more In interest"
"All right"
All wanted to do was to get out of
the shop as fast as possible.
Your name and address," he I'm.
quired. making out the ticket.
had not reckoned on this, and did
not like the idea Of having those facts
on record In such q place, 20 I gave a
fictitious name and false address.
remembered now having heard an &C.
quaintance Of mine say that he always
did that.
The man finished making his entry
in the book and on the ticket, and laid
the latter on the counter while he got
the money for me.
I arrived at the ONCE q little after
ten o'clock, explained truthfuliy that
i had oversight. and slipped out to get
some breakfast All through the day
the finger on which ! had worn the
ring seemed to cry out, and when I re-
ceived my weekly salary I felt as
though one dollar OF IL did not belong
to me.
II was late In the afternoon that the
telegram came. The girl I hoped to
marry was to arrive I'm the city for n
short visit to her aunt and uncle, the
latter being Eleanor's guardian.
Twas to meet her. Of course. A sud-
den chill shot through me when re-
membered that I had written her all
about the unique ring had purchased.
and realized that. with her interest I'm
odd bits Of jewelry. she would want to
see II at once.
But when the ONCE closed and I left
to meet Eleanor at the Grand Central
station put such worries from me in
the anticipation Of seeing her again.
IL had been q long time since we had
been together.
She was just as beautiful as ever,
and. as expected. spoke almost I'm
mediately about the ring. I was care
full to have my gloves on and turned
her inquiry on. saying that I would
show II to her that evening.
For we were to be happy. was to
call at her aunt's. meet her uncle and
guardian for the first time. and get his
permission TO marry his ward. We
knew that there would be little diffi-
Guilty over the matter, for he had a
much AZ given his consent already,
though I Was personally unknown %
him
Leaving Eleanor at the door Of her
aunt's home I started I'm a rush for the
loan ONCE" II was nearly six o'clock.
and had been informed that such
places were compelled to close at that
hour. I had to run two blocks at top
speed. and even then I just succeeded
IN getting In before the fatal hour had
arrived.
Presenting my ticket. ] laid q two.
Thought u Time 20 Stop.
why did your sister drop her well
fare worE9" While she -gas ont try