“Now, don't you be cross. I don't want a ring, John, anyway, until--well, until we're married. It don't mean anything when two people love each other like you and me do. Good-night, you old boy. Now, don't go and be cross. And don't forget we're going to the dance to-morrow night.” Hunch laughed a little and kissed her. Then he walked slowly down the street. At noon on the following day, He went into the jewelry store near the post-office and looked at rings. There was one large ring with two diamonds set in a snake's head. “How much is it?” Hunch asked. “Ninety dollars. Best ring we've got. There ain't another like it this side of Grand Rapids.” “That's the one I want then,” said Hunch. “Will you put it by for me?” “Take it right along, Mr. Badeau. There's no hurry about the money.” “No,” said Hunch, “I won't take it until I can pay for it.” “All right, Mr. Badeau, we'll set it aside for you.” By a second loan Hunch had let Bruce have nearly all his ready money, so that he lacked a large part of the ninety dollars, but he was determined to have the ring within a week or two. He was walking slowly down the street when he met Jim Bartlett. “Hello, Hunch.” “Hello, Jim.” “Say, come into Herve's a minute. I want to see you.” When they were seated at one of the round tables, Jim said, “I s'pose it ain't none of my business, Hunch; but when you've known a fellow all your life, you can't help being kind of interested. I knew you was sort of looking after Bruce Considine once in awhile. I know he used to work for you, and it seemed to me lately that he's getting a little off the track.” “What's the matter? What's Bruce done?” “Well, I hear about it from two or three places. You know Billy Riggs's folks live next door to Bruce, and this morning Billy came up to the lookout while I was on the watch, and told me a little about it. Billy's always known Marne Banks, you know. I think he used to be kind of stuck on her.” “What about it?” “Billy says Bruce is drinking right along not jagged, you know, but kind of ugly. And he says, his little sister says, she saw him hit Marne last night-'t weren't none of her business, of course. She heard 'em talking and was looking through the window. Going on down the street?” “No,” said Hunch, after a silence, “I'll sit here awhile.” “All right. So long, Hunch.”