The Lamar register., 1915-09-08
THE HAND AND THE RING
BY vANE TREmAINE.

ing closely as the train bored swiftly
through the underground passage
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. 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 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 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 we'll worth looking at. too
a woman's ring. a magnificent emer-
aid. surrounded by brilliants.
Good heavensi" gasped Jack. star
ing at the valuable Jewel What have
I done7"
Cool reflection told him that pos
sibly he had been made a receptacle
for atolen Rooda nv n 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 II
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 Of
the car where all were wedged tightly
like sheep in a pen. And the touch
of that strange hand thrilled him per-
sistsntly.
lack Bronson was in love. II any
one person was responsible for this
fact It might be his sister. Fanny, who
had invited him down to spend the
weekend. and there introduced him
to Alice Selden.
Miss Selden was a 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
tures-practically 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.
II used to wear-one," she said
rather pensively. 1T was a darling
ring. and to punish myself for losing
II / have vowed not to wear another
until ind It"
Not any ring at all7" 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. l want TO make It 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 Il
to me on my last birthday. 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"
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.
taire 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