JANET'S ENGAGEMENT RING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 90

JANET'S ENGAGEMENT RING.

By Paul Herring.

The proposal quite tooic Janet', breath away. The street lamps were like stare, and she walked arm-in-arm with Prince Charming. His real name was Jack Attenborough, and he had only just left the office where he was employed. Janet found she had sufficient breath lelt to whisper "Yes." They discussed how it had begun. Jack explained that, from the moment he' saw her face, he had no other alternative but to propose at the first opportunity. That came at their second meeting. His future object in life would be to provide a cosy little home and make her his wife. There only remained the selection and purchase of an engagement ring. Jack was keen on that. He stipulated that she should not go home without the ring upon her finger." "I was gone on you from the first," he said. "Don't mind owning up to it; proud of it, in fact. There's no reason we shouldn't exchange confidences now." "Do you know, i was jealous when I first saw you, Jack," Janet answered shyly. "Go on!" Janet, persisted. "Yes, I was jealous of the girl who had worked that fancy waistcoat for you," Jack grew rather 'jonfuaed, and said that grown-up sisters were sometimes not half bad to an only brother. "It wasn't altogether that, of course," Janet explained. "But, I say, what nice girls your sisters must be!" Jack realised the importance of sisters for the first time that evening. It was rather awkward that he had none. "Candidly, I never thought you'd have me,'' he .said, changing the subject. "Thought you'd be snapped up." "I suppose I should have been, if I'd s/ished it," she replied. t "Forty times, I expect." "I won't go as far as to say that. It wouldn't be true," Janet admitted; "but, of course, there might have been others." "Meaning there have been. Oh, well, it's not to be expected that a pretty girl could go to business and back without being admired. Then friends of the family. Private and confidential, I've met one or two nice girls myself: we can forgive one another a few mild flirtations—can't we?" Jack had a vague idea, that the fancy waistcoat episode would have to be explained later on. "Oh, of course!" Janet said, catching her breath. "I suppose—you. never got so far as being engaged before?" Jack felt that he must put some emphasis on this point at least. "Not likely!" he said indignantly. "I'm not the sort of cad who breaks his word to a girl." "And yon think it's as bad if a girl breaks her word to a man, I suppose?" Janet faltered. Jack hesitated. He would have liked Janet to know all. But he didn't care to let on that he'd been thrown over just recently, so he assumed a most decided affirmative. "Of course it is, and worse," he said in the tone of one who meant what he said. "Brother of mine nearly broke his heart only a few days ago." "Brother of yours, Jack? Oh, 7. did not know that—--—" He corrected himself hastily. 'Did I say brother? I meant cousin, oi course. Don't mind me having a cigarette, do you?" The girl rather welcomed the little interruption finding the case and lighting the cigarette caused in their conversation. She felt that she ought to confide in him, and tell him what was on her mind. But, really, it might make him very vain if she confessed to him that she had given up another man for . his sake. Besides, she was conscience-stricken. With his lofty ideas, would Jack forgive her for discarding the other man? She was still undecided which course to take when Jack Attenborough again took up the conversation. £ajk about my little girl's engagement ring," he said. "Oh, Jack! it- seems so wonderful." 'Of course it- does to a girl who's never bsen engaged before in her life." "I'm sure J. shan't like looking in all the shop window*/' she said. "It will be- a bit of a . bother," he acknowledged. His cigarette had given, him an idea. "People, will know we're going to be ■snjaged," Janet- said, hugging his arm. "I don't r,se what that- matters to them. They ought to consider us lucky." "But it makes them stare so. Oh, Jack, I Tfis'h you'd select the ring. I'd leave it entirely bo you." "Would you really?'' ■'Yes, and I'm sure you'd pick quite the prettiest one possible. You've got such good taste, Jack. Don't- let me have ?, *ay i-V: it —there's a dear ! It would be EC nice oi you !" she pleaded Jack felt greatly surprised. It is seldom that ?. woman's wishes coincide with economy. There -vas a little velvet case in a pocket of his fancy waistcoat which contained an. engagement ring carefully -s'rapped up in tissue paper. The jeweller T .7ould only exchange it at a reduction of so much per cent. Fifteen probably. If he were careful. Jack might save that heavy percentage. Here was his golden opportunity. "Little woman," he said impulsivel}'', ' I expected something of this kind would happen. He produced the little velvet case js he spoke. "Whatever have you got there, Jack?" "Your engagement ring." "Oh, but how could you?" "I came prepared, you see." "I mean, how could you be sure that the ring would fit me J'*

"Ways and means," he said, squeezing her little gloved hand. "I want you to ■ see it sparkle. Come under a gasl lamp." "Oh, no!" Janet said. "I won't look at it until I know it's my very own. I think the fairies must make engagement rings." "I'm sure they do," he replied. "This is an enchanted hour," Janet said. "The happiest of my life. But it's a puzzle to me how you could be quite sure the ring would not be too large." "It's the -smallest engagement ring the jeweller had in his shop," he replied. "But, of course, it may have to be changed. J shouldn't wonder if my little gill proved a Cinderella in rings." "Oh, I do hope not!" Janet said with i a smile. "So do I," Jack muttered, thinking of i what he would lose by the transaction. They were close under the gas lamp i now. Janet had ungloved her left hand. She shut her pretty eyes tightly as the ring flashed out of the little jewel case. "That's too bad of you! Do admire it, Janet!" "No, I won't, until it's absolutely mine,'' s-he said. "But I'm positive it's the dearest engagement ring in the world.'' P.C. Macpherson, a burly -Scotch constable, passed- by them, unnoticed -as they stood under the lamp. He saw Janet'« i outstretched hand, he saw the sparkle of 1 the jewelled ring, and he watched Jack Attenborough make a bold yhmge towards matrimony. "Now, darling, we belong \.o jne another for ever!" Jack whispered. "Oh, Jack, ere you quite sure you've ! put it on the right finger?" "Of course, dear; I counted them." "Clever boy! but how did you know*" i "The: —the jeweller told me," Jack exI plained hastily. "Besides, all my sisters are engaged." "How silly of me ! Thers's no one near. Jack, you nay kiss me, and then I'll open I my eyes." P.C. Macpherson winked, and went | further into the background. He was a | kind-hearted man, and othsr people's happiness always affected him. He felt ! that under such exceptional circumstances I young _people were entitled to be happy. I He sighed, and went along his beat with ; silent footfalls, not wishing to disturb love's young dream. Janet suddenly opened wide hev sweet ! grey eyes. They were, dazzled by the blazft of jewels under the bright gleam "I'm so glad you like it! yeSj it's beautiful,, isn't it?" Jaaet was raising the engagement ring , to her lips, when her face turned quite j pale, and her heart fluttered. He noticed ' the -change in her face. Her eyes hardened as ihey continued to stare at the ring. "Don't- you like it, after all, Janet?" he inquired' nervously. "It's not that," she gasped in a weak voice. "I'vo seen it before." "Seen i!v before?" He also suddenly went pale. "You must be mistaken. So manv engagement-rings are similar. The jeweller told me he had sold several of this class." "Oh, no! I'm not mistaken," Janet persisted. "A friend of mine—that is, a girl in our shop —showed me this very ring last week. She was wearing it then. I had it upon my own finger admiring it." "What was her. name?" he asked. It was quite evident that he knew what the answer would be. "Edith Ponso.-iby." He did not speak in reply. "You know her?" she questioned. He nodded. "You were .engaged to her?" He nodded again. "And she gave you up?" "Last Friday," he added faintly. It was a mutual agreement. She returned the ring I gave her. I was glad, because . . . I'had met you in the meantime ! ' 'Met me \" Janet cried- disdainfully. "Anyone would have done—whose finger fitted her engagement-ring." "I've played a fool's game," he replied ; "but. I really don't deserve that of you." "I gave a man up for you," she replied, with acorn in her voice. " He released me without a word, because I told him I loved someone else." The formidable shadow of P.C. Macpherson was returning. He stood quite close to them. The cigarette fell in ash from. Jack Attenborough's lips. - "I'msorry!" he said in a broken voice. "I ought to have told you. But I love you as I never loved any other girl, Janet. I won't say for your own sake, but for my sake, don't give me up now!" "Oh, I won't listen to you! Take back your miserabh engagement-ring." Janet fumbled with the ring, which clung to her cold finger like a golden leech. Everything was misty before her eyes. The ring would not come off; she loathed it, because it was a torture to her. She wrenched the ring from her ■ finger at last: "Take it back," she said. "I never wish to meet you again. I hate you!" But- she knew that in her heart she loved him still. He accepted the ring and turned away with drooping head. P.C. Macpherson i followed him quietly. At a few yards ! distance Jack gave a gesture of despair, and threw the ring down on the pavement. With a jingle and sparkle it rolled against the constable's boots. P.C. Macpherson picked it up, and, rapidly j following Jack, swung liim round by placing an official hand upon his shoulder. . "Here, young fellow, I want a word with you." he said. "What about?" Jack asked. His tempei was rising; he resented the light full in his face just then. "About this little gee-gaw. It'll be a lassie's engagement-ring. I saw you throw i'v down." "What if I did?" "What would be your object?" "I wanted to get rid of it I suppose." "I dare say, but maybe it's stolen property, ■aa' I'm a cautious man—being j Scotch. I'll require you to see the in- ' sp?ctoi\ who's also Scotoh, and as cautious

a man as mrselV P.O. Macpherson was screwing one eye up meaningly, "I shall have to tak ye in custody," he added pointedly. There's just nothing else for it, unless somebody can identify the ring. If I'm not mistaken, your young lady will already have turned round and seen Jou under arrest." Jack Attenborough stared at the constable. "What do you mean by that?" "Simply this. You will be daft to quarrel with, a pretty lassie like that, an' throw away your engagement-ring. I've a mind to put you in handcuffs, man." "What for?" "Partly because you deserved looking after by the police, an' partly to make a touching appeal to the lassie's sympathy. Howd out your hands." The cautious constable saw that no one was about—except Janet. Jack obeyed, and a pair of police handcuffs snapped across his wrists. "There now—l'll soon hae you as -handfast as that to the lassie herself," P.O. Macpherson said, with twinkling eyes. "Hero she comes!" Janet Bright came up, breathless and panting. "Whatever is the matter, officer?" she gasped. "I'm afraid it's a" most serious case of pocket picking, miss, or burglary from a jeweller's shop. The man I have in custody dropped 2. valuable '.ring an' tried to escape. It'll he my duty to tgke him before vihe inspector." _ "Ob, but you're, wrong, constable !** Janet panted. 'Mr Attenboreupjb, -I mean, Jack—ha* just left me." 'But how about the ring, miss?'' P. S. Macpherson held it flashing h°r as he spoke. "It was a present Ic "»i«, Janet pleaded. <: J* was to be our engagement* ring." "An' why ate vox? not v/enxing ,b r miss?'' the constable tasked stolidly. "I—l gave it back to him because '* lack could not «tand seeing Janet in distress. "There's no need for her to f>peak," he said. "It's a private matter between us, nonstable. T will accompany you to the police station.'' "Don't be 4 fule! Jingle your handcuffs, laddie/' P.O. Macpherson .advised in % whisper He managed to get a pathetic discord out ->f ihs pair of handcuffs by seizing his prkonsc It went! •straight to Janet's "heart. "Oh, Jack, Jack!" she cried. 'I caw never tell you how sorry I wn far bringing this upon you." P;0, Macpherean touched hiz helmet. 'ft the ring i* yours, miss, you've only to prove the ownership, an' I'll release him. I've no wish to detain him,." "But how can I prove it?" "There will be no great difficulty about, that. If it fits your; finger, I'll take that as conclusive proof of your claim. Will you try the ring now, miss?" Without a moment's hesitation Janet slipped the ring upon her engagement finger. P.C. Macpherson expressed himself as completely satisfied, "In my opinion you are a very lucky young man," he said. "I will leave you to thank the bonnie lassie on your own behalf." Unlocking the handcuffs, he moved directly away, and the next moment Janet was un Jack's arms. "Can you ever forgive me?" she pleaded. "I also had my secret. I gave up my sweetheart before you proposed, because I loved you and longed to be free. The strange part is he is already engaged to Miss Ponsonby." "What—the girl who made me happy by giving me another chaaice in life!" Jack exclaimed in amazement. " Well, this wins at. They've lost no time, have they, and I vote we follow their example. I must exchange that engagement-ring for you, Janet." "Yes ; but only for a wedding-ring." the girl orovokinglv reolied. " I wouldn't part with it for all the world now. It's mine." "That's all right!" P.C. Macphereon muttered as he watched them going alono-arm-in-arm. "W T hen I'm on the beat, I always like the course of true love to run as smooth as possible. For ones in my life, I've acted as Cupid on patrol." After a final glance, he walked contisntedlv away in the opposite direction.—< M. A. P..