The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-27

mind chatting with me for a few mo-
ments."
The old man with the scarf stuck
his face into the scene and asked for
stamp. grinptng.
sorry; you've got the wrong win
dow" said the clerk. This Is the
registry window. Turn to your left
for stamps"
'"Thankee. thankee." the old man
said Il amt much used to post
Offices and he went away:
II heard you were married. the
girl remarked, avoiding the young
mans gaze. Did your wife come
with you?"
The clerks face indicated surprise.
You did? Well. you heard wrong.
Look at this"
His fingers were busy with his watch
chain. and presently he held up tiny
gold ring with a setting in which a
white stone cleaned.
The girls eyes .sparkied as tho re-
fleeing the stones briilianee.
THE one had she breathed.
True enough. When I left your
house that night. three years ago,
hurled it into the street; but after
walking half a block I came back,
found 1t shining in the dark. picked
| it up and-Tve been wearing it on
my chain ever since"
How FUNNY" she calculated. her
| face a deep crimson. What for?"
"Oh, / thought-wel, to tell the
truth. Ruth, came back here hoping
| l might return it to you. But I heard
you were engaged already. were going
| to be married next month"
| Her eyes lowered and watched her
fingers trace an intricate, meaningless
| figures on the counter.
| II was she said. and there was q
kcatch in her voice. When I didn't
| get any mail from you. and when ]
] heard you were married. accepted
Ralph Henderson's proposal. / didn't
really love him, but he was so per-
| sistent and I was heartsiek.
| After year I began to care for
him, or thought I did, because he
seemed to have braced up anG become
a man. Just a month ago he broke a
promise to me, and he did it again two
weeks ago. after I had given him
another chance. Then, day before
yesterday, 1 got i. letter from him
saying it wasn't any use, and further
more that he had met a girl he liked
better; so-so---I am sending back his
ring"
She. looked away. and her foot
tapped the floor.
That's too bad" he said, consol-
ingly. I'm sorry about those letters
Ruth. really wrote three, and
learned only a month ago-just before
I came east-that the man I gave
them to to mail was drowned in the
Columbia on his way to Portland.
And so the package is worth 8
million dollars to you?" he added.
She had been looking away, but she
turned on him, almost fiercely.
mo. it isn't! I know now that
Enever did really care for Ralph.
simply let my pity run away with me
I knew all the time that you How
about my changer"
He left the window and returned
with it. He extended the change
thru the window and she placed il
in her purse. His hand remained thru
the window, close to her, and she saw
that the ring from his chain encircled
the tip of the index finger.
Their eyes met and a three years
barrier crumbled. She placed the til
of her left third finger against hi,
forefinger. and he tilted his hand SC
the ring slid into hers.
Shall I call tonight?'' he asked.
You shall" she agreed, and press
ed his hand. And don't forget Il
mail my package"
She turned away and nearly rar
into the old man with the scarf.
Beg pardon. miss" he said, bowling
awkwardly. I'VE almost had a col
lision. Nice day. amt it?"
He held a letter in his hand.
Fine day it is-a glorious day.
she responded, and her face was light
her description of the weather. "Shal
I show you where to drop the letter? p
Back at the registry window thu
clerk was laughing unashamed at thu
open drawer, which was full of change
land had been all the time.
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