The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-03-09
A RING and A GIRL
BY ROBERT RUSSELL.
(copyright.)

(Copyright)
Buzz-zz-zz!
yawned, stretched, glanced at the
clock, and ju.aped hastily out OF 0ed.
1t was nearly nine o'clock, and | had
been avail IT ID by The buzzer of cur
apartment l was accustomed to being
called in ne morning by my mother,
and as she wes away on this particular
day, had cverslept
Scarcely sraKe, | slipped on my
bathrobe and S. ippers, opened the door
bit, and received irain The lad stand
ing there four suits of clothes that had
been to the tailor's for reiuvenation.
Blinking, l got the requisite two dol
lars from my pocketbook, paid the lad,
and hurriedly made my toilet for the
day, thinking meanwhile of the deli
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 as it was so late when was
finally ready for public appearance,
decided to wait till had put in an ap-
pearance at the Office before break
fasting, and l went directly to the sub
way station near at hand.
My hand in my change pocket as l
stood before the ticket window, suf-
fered shock. There was nothing
there except four pennies and two
keys. And remembered well enough
now that l had no bills.
1t was Saturday, and pay day, but
that benefited me little, when l was
here at One Hundred and Sixteenth
street, and the Office on lower Broad
way.
l had given my last two dollars to
the boy from the tailor shop, and now
had not enough money to get down
town. If had not been so sleepy when
the lad had come with my clothes l
would have remembered my unusual
financial condition.
OF course, l could walk down town,
but that would take over two hours,
and was late as 1t was. Perhaps the
ticket agent would lend me a penny,
but l could not get myself to beg it of
him.
OF course. all sorts of ideas flashed
through my mind, but each involved
explaining my predicament to some
one. A flash from my ring gave me
an inspiration. would pawn it for
my car fare and return that afternoon
after had received my pay and re-
deem it.
Across Morningside park, on Eighth
avenue, | had noticed place where
the three golden balls gave promise
OF help to the needy.
My aunt had sent me ten dollars
about week before, telling me to get
ring for my birthday with the money,
and the ring l now took off was the
one ] had procured.
How much do you want?" asked
the proprietor.
twenty-five CENTS" 1 replied faint
ly.
He looked at me a moment in ap-
parent surprise.
Better take 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 in
CURED, making out the ticket
/ had not reckoned on this, and did
not like the idea of having those facts
on record In such a place, SO gave
fictitious name and false address. /
remembered now having heard an ac-
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.
/ arrived at the office a little after
ten o'clock, explained truthfully that
| had oversight, and slipped out to get
some breakfast. All through the day
the finger on which l had worn the
ring seemed to cry out, and when re-
ceived my weekly salary / felt as
though one dollar of it did not belong
to me.
1t was late in the afternoon that the
telegram came. The girl / hoped to
marry was to arrive in the city for a
short visit to her aunt and uncle, the
latter being Eleanor's guardian,
was to meet her. of course A sud-
den chill shot through me when re-
membered that / had written her all
about the unique ring had purchased,
and realized that, with her interest in
odd bits of jewelry, she would want to
see it at once.
But when the Office closed and left
to meet Eleanor at the Grand Central
station / put such worries from me in
the anticipation of seeing her again
1t had been long time since we had
been together.
She was just as beautiful as ever,
and. as l expected, spoke almost i'm
mediately about the ring. / was care
full to have my gloves on and turned
her inquiry off, saying that | would
show it to her that evening.
For we were to be happy. l 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 diff
Guilty over the matter, for he had as
much as given his consent already,
though l was personally unknown to
him.
Leaving Eleanor at the door of her
aunt's home, started in rush for the
loan Office" 1t was nearly six o'clock,
and / had been informed that such
places were compelled to close at that
hour. had to run two blocks at top
speed, and even then just succeeded
In getting in before the fatal hour had
arrived.
Presenting my ticket, laid two
dollar bill on the counter and waited
eagerly for the cherished ring.
"You got ten dollars on that" said
the pawnhroker.
glanced at the ticket for the first
time. Sure enough. that was the
amount specified, but I knew that I
had received only one dollar.
Il guess you made mistake" re-
piled, bit angrily. had heard that
these men were sometimes crooked,
but this was outrageous.
The fellow had the ring in his hands
now, and was unwrapping the paper
which was about it. 7 glanced at the
thing. 1t was not mine! Then l looked
at the ticket The name there was not
the one / had given. There was ter
rible mistake somewhere.
THAT isn't my ring!" I cried Mime
was entirely different from that"
This is pretty good ring. how
ever" smiled the man. Evidently he
thought that was blufing.