The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-10
THE HAND AND THE RING
BY vANE TREMAINE.

Jack Bronson gave up his seat and
chung to a strap while he tried to
read the morning paper. All around
him were other men and women press.
ing closely as the train bored swiftly
through the underground passage.
At Thirty-fourth street, when the
car was numerically packed, Jack felt
a tug at the pocket of his loose storm.
coat His hand slipped down swiftly
and closed on another hand, a soft,
satiny little hand, that struggled in his
/ for a moment and then freed itself,
leaving something metallic in his
! grasp.
Another man, tall like himself.
pressed closely. He was bending down
talking to 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 1t until he
! had reached his Office and opened his
desk.
Then, with an odd sense Of curios-
ity, he 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
woman's ring. a magnificent emer-
aid, surrounded by brilliants.
Good heavens!" gasped Jack, star
ing at the valuable jewel. What have
done?"
Cool reflection told him that pos.
sibly he had been made a receptacle
for stolen goods by a thief.
He locked the ring in his safe and
proceeded with the business of the
day Every morning he kept a close
watch of the daily papers to see if
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 If
the car where all were wedged tightly
like sheep in pen. And the touch
of that strange hand thrilled him per-
sistently.
Jack Bronson was in love. If any
one person was responsible for this
fact 1t might be his sister, Fanny, who
had invited him down to spend the
weekend, and there introduced him
to Alice Selden.
Miss Selden was wonderful girl,
Jack had discovered almost immediate.
ly. She was 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.
unexpectedly the same every.
thing.
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 a darling
ring. and to punish myself for losing
1t have vowed not to wear another
until find It,"
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 1t 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 it
to me on my last birthday. lost It
In the subway. It was rather an odd
anair-if you don't mind, Id 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 I expect
your"
She nodded assent and he passed
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
tafre on her finger. but she drew her
hand away hastily.
my vow, you know" she reminded
him.
Close your eyes," he almost sharp.
ly 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.
IT'S mine, Jack-my ring" she
laughed.
Now l can tell you. / was with
my brother Arthur. The car was
crowded and we were standing. felt
faint and put my hand. as I thought,
into Arthur's pocket to get my little
handbag. had slipped it in there for
The pocket was empty
md was just going to speak to Ar
.hur about It when your hand gripped
nine. l managed to get my hand
lway, but my ring remained in your
pocket.
"Of course, I did not dare make a
uss because you could face me and
lccuse me of having my hand in your
rocket, and so l let it 60 It seems
90 good to be true"
Most perfect happiness Isl" he said,
folding her close to his heart.
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)