The Harrison times., 1917-05-26


One day he lost a collie pup, and.
looking over the ads in a daily paper,
found the following item right under
his nose
LOST-A solitaire diamond ring
on Bellevue car or on Washing
ton avenue. Bellevue Finder will
please return 10 Miss Violet Lari-
mar, l29 Washington avenue. and
receive liberal reward.
Eureka, [ have found it," ex-
claimed Bob, meaning, of course,
neither the ring nor the dog, but an
excuse to see once more the only girl
he could ever care for.
The plan that presented itself so
suddenly was this To try to inter
cept the finder, and thereby return it
in person. 1t was the only legitimate
excuse he could possibly trump up
for seeing her once more
Bob boarded a Bellevue car, got off
at Washington street and slipped
through the street gate set in high
privet hedge Just inside was clump
Of hydrangeas on a level with his
head He could stand there screened
from the street and house and inter-
cept anyone who looked as Though he
or she were coming to return a lost
diamond. IT'S a beautiful fix to be
in, playing detective to get another
fellows ring for the girl love-" Bob
(11t hA 7
can see here"
Suddenly he heard voices coming
down the patch from the house. He
stepped back among the shrubs until
the people should pass, when he heard
Violet herself exclaim: Let us sit
here on the bench, father, and wait
for the car 1t won't be along for five
minutes and I'm so afraid of missing
someone who might come to return
dear Jacks ring.
Then she began to cry. ITS dread
full to lose it, | just loved it,
Bob felt queer. If Violet loved the
other fellow like that, what use was
there for him to try to see her any
way? He was not proud of the part
he was playing. He decided that as
soon as Violet and her father departed
he would leave the place forever,
But, as fate would have it, just as
soon as Bob gave up the idea of find
ing the ring the ring found him He
didn't know it, Of course, when he
picked up the soggy rag doll that had
lain out all night under the bushes,
but, turning it over, he discovered
something on piece of string around
the dolls neck. It was Violet's en-
gagement ring, the ring her beloved
Jack had given her
Bob slipped dolly's fnery into his
pocket and waited for the occupants
of the bench to depart. That evening
he called her on the telephone.
Good evening, Miss Larimar. This
is Robert Hale. Do you remember
me?"
Indeed, yes' came back in sur.
prised tones. Il could hardly have for.
gotten you so soon, Mr.. Hale"
Il saw your advertisement in the
paper and have the pleasure Of in.
forming you that / have found a da-
monl ring which may be yours. | am
sending it to you by registered mail
He said it as formally as possible,
wondering if the transmitter would
convey the hammering Of his heart
"How perfectly grand I'll be 80
glad to get it back if it really is |
mine, But can't you bring it out?
Why send it? Would It be very much |
trouble?
y Was he dreaming, or were her |
words a triilo wistfu?
"Nhy, yes That is, thank you |
very much, but you see-I mean what
will Jack say"
Jack"
yes Jack, who gave you the ring?"
Silence for an instant, then peals of |
merry laughter. Jack is my brother |
my sailor brother Really, he won't |
care If YOU come to see me, Mr.. Hale
Bob gaspod But you wore It on |
your engagement lngor'"
1--WE girls often do that 20 scare of |
men patients who are apt TO think |
they are in love with their nurses
II saves so much trouble"
"t'll be out in twenty minutes an
swered Bob.
copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa.
per Syndlcate)