Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-01-18
THE HEIRLOOM RING


SO on the afternoon Of Franks de-
parture from LInville Miss Baker re-
ceived by mail letter and regis
tered package. Both were In the same
handwriting and after considering for
a moment she opened the letter first.
my dear little Amy" It began. "The
sudden and serious illness Of my father
has called me away from Lnvllle. For
reasons which am sure you must
guess, | hate to go. but the call is ur-
gent, for my father has been until re-
Gently nearest to my heart. am send
ing by this mail my ring. a family heir
loom. II the love which you must
know I feel for you Is returned. will
you wear the ring until I can replace
It with another7 When I return, which
Will be as speedily as possible. II
find the ring on your hand shall
know that my dearest hopes are to be
realized. Your devoted lover,
"Frank."
Shyly and reverently Amy drew the
curious and valuable ring from its box.
For scarcely a moment did she consid-
er before slipping It on her finger. Ever
since Frank had arrived at the home
of her friends, the Deans. to spend
the summer with his college chum
Geoffry. he had occupied first place in
her heart, and she had hoped that her
love was reclprocated.
Into this perfect bliss came trouble
swift and unexpected The blow fell
on a day when Harold. Amys younger
brother. burst into her room with a
face on which horror and despair were
Jointly pictured.
1t was the old story of a young man,
tempted TO gamble. borrowing" the
funds of the institution which employ
ed and trusted him. until the small
peculatiOns could be no longer con-
cealed.
Amy listened. white faced. to the
piteous recital.
ut will kill father and mother II you
are arrested for stealing" she said.
So Amy's few good jewels were TAX
en- from their hiding place, and Harold,
chastened and subdued, set out to
raise money on them to make good his
deficiency before IL should be discOv-
cred. But the most he could raise fell
far short of the sum total he needed,
and, with despair at his heart. he
wendell his way bnck to where his sis
ter tremblingly awaited him.
'Tt's no use, little sister," he said.
81 shall have to pay the penalty. l
can't get near enough on your little |
trinkets''
Amy bowed her head on her hands, |
and as she did so her brow touched L
the betrothal ring on her finger. For
only a second she hesitated, then
drawing the ring from her finger she
handed Il TO Harold.
'"Take it," she said. ut Is worth a
great deal of money"
Then bursting into tears she turned
away from Harold's grateful thanks
and sought refuge alone. where she
could weep out her heart at the loss
Of her treasure.
Frank returned unannounced TO Lin
Vile and went straight to Amy's
house. Lights shone from the win
dows, and as he drew near ne could
see Amy at the plano. Startled, he
gazed at her. One Of his closest rivals
was bending oyer her In an attitude
Of devotion-and Franks ring was not
on her hand.
Seeing, but unseen. he decided that
hts cause was hopeless. and went as
quietly as he had come.
Six months later Frank was cal2ed
TO a city short distance from LAn-
Vile. Seeking shelter from a sudden
shower 10 a pawpbroker's doorway. he
glanced careiessIy at the window dis
play. To his unbounded establishment
be saw his own ring.
He rushed into the shop and asked
10 see the ring. His judicious ques-
tioning brought out the fact that a
young man had brought In the ring and
other tewelry. From his description
Frank had no doubt that Harold had
pawned the ring. although examina-
lion Of the pawnbroker's records gave
IN entirely dlfferent name.
Without loss Of time Frank hasten
ID To Hnviiie. He would see Harold
md demand the truth. rerhaps-and
1t the thought his pulses bounded
there was some reason besides indif-
ierence for Amy's failure to wear his
fng.
He reached the small town at aeon,
and almost the first person he met was
Harold fastening to luncA.
Frcnk went Straight to the psi.f.
and Harold, after being convinced that
there was a vital reason for TIE
searching question. broke lowA and
admitted that Amy had pawned her
Jewels to raise money for him. Then
In answer to Franks eager questions
he said sadly:
"Amy has changed greatly. wheth-
er Il was because Of my wrongdoing
Or not 1 don't know. but from the day