Dodge City times., 1888-06-28

CAROL WAS TURNING A RING on HER HAND.
stone being slightly off-color and marred by
flaw which he flattered himself would new
| or be known-and was accordingly very
fair representation of the affection he Of
fered, genuine in one sense, but affected by
certain mcrcenary motives which the girl
herself did not suspect.
There was no Christmas feeling of peace
and goodwill in the young girls breast.
Lyman's preScnt-a set Of sapphires-
brought a rush of tears to her eyes.
81 would rather have the corals YOU gave
me last yeas and-happiness, brother
"Have q little patience, Carol. There's
not q particle of reason in making yourself
unhappy. See here! 1 want you to please
Ingot and keep him in good humor. 1t will
never do to show him such doleful looks. II
you arc bound to undo all am working for
by your half-heartedness, say so at once and
will give up my scheme. 1 will give up
the best hopes of my life with it; but what
does that matter when weighed against a
girls whlm!"
"If I only understood little better"
murmured Carol. "Do you mean that by
doing this l will help you to gain Althea"
"By not doing it you will be the cause Of
that you as well as will be sorry, sorry to
the end of your life"
"Oh, Lyman"'
"There is no use of our talking. Once
and for all, you shall take your choicc.''
How hard and cruel men can be to the
women who love them. Lyman knew that
every word he uttered cut through that ten
der heart. He knew also what the choice
would be, knew that he would have no
trouble after this in having his own way.
Mr.. Ingot was invited to dinner. He
came early, and his small eyes cleaned
with delight as he saw his diamond blazing
bravcly on the little white hand he coveted.
"That's right. l thought you wouldn't
be so foolish as 70 refuse it. When make
up my mind to have thing
generally get it by some hook or crook, and
it's good while since made up my mind
to get you, my little beauty. Kiss me,
sweet, to seal the bond. " hat, so shy,
well, I'll not urge you now, but you shall
pay me for my patience some day, and soon.
Soon, do you hear, my Carol!-you can't
begin your fixing too quickly for the we'd
ding-day. Say! shall we make big
splurgc. or go ahead and do up the matter
quietly like sensible peoplc:''
Carol, shrinkingiy, only Just beginning to
What would her friends say if the fact of
her engagement to this man were noiScd
abroad. What would they think!
The light in which one of them would view
it was 10 be made known to her sooner than
she expected.
The Dountiful dinner served to the three
no l>,,r INN. ,,I IN.
rlooaliiic glow by the Softening globes
Carol wallsct. to a window. and, lifting the
curtain, looked out.
There was Il holiday aspect to the street
even in this quiet corner. Young couples
passed arm in arm. with happiness in their
looks: children troopcd by laden with tie
spoils of the day: vehicles dashed back and
forth filed with merry groups. The house
lights shone out into the night with i cheer
and brightness very pleasant to see.
Suddenly Carol half-turned
Somebody is stopping here; do be-
heye it is Althca. Yes. that is the Ever
leigh sleigh: that is their driver. How
queer. vet how good of her to come this
night Of all nights in the year"
Dropping the curtain. she ran into the
llSiif " iuSCI I'LL II AN uou uiS up
with annoyance, though an eager glow
burned in his eyes. He had told Carol
nothing of an informal invitation to dine at
the Evcrleigh's, which he had declined for
both of them. 1t was queer that Althea
should come there-how queer he alone
could feel-yet her crrand was very
simple one.
Il was so unfortunate in my invitations"
she began to explain. . Even Norris disap-
pointed me by having previous engage
ments, so turned out at last and gathered
up miscellaneous party which 1 find my
self scarcely able to manage, and l ran
away to beg you to come and help me enter
tain them for an hour or two. Carol. Don't |
wait to ask questions, I'll tell you on the
way. The gentlemen may follow il thcr
like to make themselves useful: bu; l give !
fair warning that will have no drones in |
the hive tonight. 1t is not q full dress oc- |
casioa and you will all do very we'll rs you |
are she added, with mischicvous smile |
ats very wise Of you. Miss Everleigh. to |
take us in. for whatever Lyman might say, |
certainly would object to having this |
young lady run away from me tonight |
I've got enough interest in her now to keen
q sharp watch on her procecdings,r pro- |
claimed Mr.. InRot, with q certain amount Of |
purpose in making the state Of Affairs |
known to his employers daughter.
of1rNr