Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-28
Josie's Ring.
OSIE folded the cloth and


YOSIE folded the cloth and laid it
neatly in the drawer. bending
her head more than was neces-
~ sary in order to hide her flushed
cheeks.
land what did you do last night?
Josie, you, what did you do?" Irene
went on persistently.
| "Oh, We-we--went walking---in the
park answered Josie family.
walking. In the park repeated
, Irene. well, l declare to goodness,
you're an eXtravagant girl. Josie.
Walking-in the park Irene laughed
| derisively. Your Pete's Il cheap
| skate, I'd say, Josie. If YOU don't
shake him for some one more gener
| Gus, you'd better see to it that he
| loosens up and spends a dollar on you
now and again. Fellows have no re-
| spect for girl who is satisfied with
! cheap entertainment. You can be
| lieve what I say. Josie; I've been
about enough to know Irene wiped
| rapidly on her glassware
| The display tables of the glassware
F.! and fine chinas were nearly ready for
| the day. Josie looked in awe at Irene
| who worked SO rapidly and so deity.
Josie was slower and when she ban
; died the expensive pieces she was so
very careful that even the floorWalker
would smile as he passed by the
table. Josie wanted to tell Irene that
Pete did respect her, that she and Pete
were engaged TO be married. But what
| was the use? In advance Josie knew
that 1rene's quick glance would fall on
her fourth finger, bare of any ring.
Then loyalty to Pete sprang up:
Don't You say a word against
D>A1 u Dat ~.
right
"Sure he's all right" answered
| Irene with Il laugh. Hes right care
| full of his money
well. if your Alex worked in the
furniture department here | guess he
couldn't afford to get that big diamond
for you" said Josie.
Irene went swiftly to her last table
and started wiping the Wedgewood
pieces. -He-couldn't afford it any
how" she said simply. Its just that
he knew I'd want a nice ring and he
got it. I'm not making fun of you,
Josie. I only want YOU to have good
time. Make him take you to dinner
downtown and good musical show
and then supper afterward and a taxi
home. Say, girl. then YOU will have
had a good time. anyhow" Irene
picked up the last piece-a Wedge
wood salad bowl and turned it oyer to
wipe 1t thoroughly.
A sudden crash, the sound of break
ing china, Irene's white face bending
quickly over the pieces. The Wedge
wood bowl was broken
You'll have to-pay for it, whis
pered Josie
Irene nodded. yes. that's why they
give us the commissions in this de-
partment--if piece gets broken we
have to pay the wholesale price. II
don't know how let 1t slip-Ive never
broken a thing before. And Il
haven't the money to pay for it,.
1T can go until pay day" sug-
gested Josie.
Irene shook her head. Before
closing time tonight might
might take my ring over to IL pawn
brokers' and get enough on ii. ! can
get 1t out on pay day
And so at noontime Irene left the
store on a. pass while Josie met Pete
in the cafeteria on the twelfth floor.
A girl from the lamp department who
had once pawned watch had gone
with Irene to get the loan.
"Josie. I've got a peach of Il daven-
port" Pete told Josie. ut was made
to order for the Ranewell- Masters
rope for two years and they don t
want it. 1t cost $500 and they paid
$400 when they placed the order. Now
I can get it for the balance. less our
discount as employees. less 30 per cent,
this being furniture sale month, 1t
will be Il wonderful piece for our liv-
ing room. 1t has the back covered
with brocaded stuff and it can go in
front of the fireplace with its back out
in the room. Maybe We won't be coy
there Winter evenings in front of the
fire. HUH" Pete reached over and
took her hand.
Josie looked down at her bare hand
and thought of the engagement ring
she wanted SO badly and Pete was
going to buy davenport. After all
they We're engaged. Why shouldn t
she speak of the ring he had never
mentioned. Irene
"Pete." Josie said impulsively.
"(,ee"' said Defp iumpinr hastily