The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-14
THE HAND AND THE RING
BY vANE TREmAlNe.

through the underground passage.
At Thirty-fourth street. when Tue
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 MS
for a moment and then freed itself,
leaving something metallic In MS
grasp.
Another man, tall like himself.
pressed closely. He was bending down
talking to a girl standing by MIN
whose face Jack could not see.
Jack smiled grimly. The train was
slowing down at his station and ne
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
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 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. II anv
one person was responsible for this
TACT 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 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
we'll, 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."
mot any ring at all?" quavered
Jack, who had been dreaming of plac
Ing an engagement ring on her pretty
hand.
mo-" she said firmly.
Il want to free you from your rasf
vow. I want to make 1t possible fol
you to indulge in at least one ring,
he said earnestly.
Alice blushed again, for there wa.
no mistaking his meaning.
What sort of ring was it?'
"A cluster ring, an emerald sur
rounded by diamonds. Father gave i
to me on my last birthday. l lost 1
In the subway. 1t was rather an cd,
affair-if you don't mind, I'd rathe
not talk about it any more"
: Then she proceeded to change tn,
subject
Il want to speak to you," whispere,
Jack as they met next morning in tn
breakfast room. Join me on tn
beach in half an hour May I expec
your"
She nodded assent and he passe,
: on. When they met he told her O
MS love for her. and his utter inabil
ty to live without her.
When she, in turn, confessed tina
, MS swift wooing had won her hear,
, ne would have slipped blazing sol
,, taire on her finger, but she drew he
hand away hastily.
My vow. you know" she reminde
him.
, Close your eyes," he almost sharr
. ly commanded. When he saw she ha
: obeyed him he took the emerald rim
; from his pocket and slipped It on tn
> little finger Of her right hand.
a At Its touch Alice uttered a cry
IT'S mine, Jack-my ring" sh
laughed.
Now l can tell you. l was wit
my brother Arthur. The car wa
: crowded and we were standing fe'
= faint and put my hand. as though
into Arthur's pocket to get my littl
4 handbag. had slipped 1t in there n
: safe-keeping. The pocket was emnt
and was just going to speak to A
\ thur about 1t when your hand grippe
. mine. l managed to get nv han
away. but my ring remained in you
pocket.
a VI course. did not dare make
> russ because you could face me an
q accuse me Of having my hand in vor
Il POCKET. and so let 1t go. It seem
too good to be true"