The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-05-17


will be of soon, and that would be
pity
When she came down stairs it was ey-
ident that the cloud had by no means
cleared aEav.
Tom assisted her gravely into the
wagon, and for some moments they rode
in silence.
Then he remarked with tinge of BIT
terness-
aLetty don't seem to be in very good
humor today"
~Oh, you mustn't take her at what she
says. It's often the way with girls to SAY
and DO what they don't mean said
Aunt Martha, sOothingly.
That sjust what puzzles me- never
know how to take any Of them-part leu
larly Lefty. Sometimes l could almost
think she hates me from the way she
goes on"
-You mustn't talk that way, Tom; I
know she likes you, only she don't show
it,
''WelI, I'll wait till she does show it,
he returned, doggedly.
Aunt Martha shook her head again
with sigh.
How could this fAini-hearted lover
ever be made to understand?
Il ought to tell you, she said, as they
drove up the principal street Of the little
town, why particularly wanted 70
come to-day. ThGrsiay-that's the day
after to-morrow-win be Leity's birth
day. I wanted to choose her a little
birthday gin
That's good idea. III Ike 10 do
the same myself if 1 thought she'd take a
present from me"
"Ob. am sure she'd be nightly pleas
ed al your remembering her
And encouraged by the assurance he
accompanied the good lady into the chief
emporium, where she explained their er-
rand to the sleek-haired clerk in . goT-
geous neektie, who presided behind the
counter.
~How wOulda pretty dress do, nam
mar he said. insinusiingly. "And for
the gentleman, handsome album or a
piecs Of jewelry? We've 70. EN- Of all
kind -searrings. bracelets and fingsr'rings
with genuine sets, aud al very low prices
from q dollar up"
Bother the price" Tom exclaimed,
as the young man set before him a velvet
lined tray, glittering with sets OF every
hue OF the rainbow. Give me the bes:
and Prettiest ring Of the lot
And then they fell TO examining rings,
and Tom admired an emerald one, while
Aunt Martha looked curioasly at another
the design Of which Nas two eiasped
hands. set with heari-shaped ruby.
(Which would Lefty like best, Mrs.
Bradley ?" heinquired, holding the rings
side by side.
"Well. think this one, Thomas.
know that ruby is her fAvori;e color
and I've heard that green's unlucky,"
And Aunt Marthas eyes shone with Z
curious light, which Tom did not per
ceive.
So the ruby ring was chosen, and the
sleek-hairsd young man grinnei To him
self as he turned away to do it up in
neat little parcel
~why they slEays fancy that ! don't
know" he thought
When Thursday came Tom Powell rode
over 10 con grstulate Lefty upon her birth
day and wish her many happy returns.
She received him very sweetIy, and
the young mans heart grew CHEEKY and
hopeful, until he perceived there was no
ruby ring upon her hand.
To spare himself the embarrassment
he had begged Mrs. Bradley to present
his gin 10 Lefty in his name, and she
had promised to DO 50.
Could she have forgotten?
But Lefty relieved him by saying i'm
mediately as she produced the little box
containing the ring; "Oh, Tom, was
20 much obliged to you for your beeuti-
fol present-the prettiest ring I ever saw
Then why don't you wear it?' he in
quired.
She looked embarrassed.
"Why, you See" casting down her
eyes, -there was some mistake about II
it isn't exactly what / ought to wear"
Il don't see why" he answered, If
you ike the ring.
~Yes, think it'slovely; bus you see
still more embarrassed-"you didn't
mean, Tom, to give me an engagement
ring?"
~An engagement ring
'sYes, the design L intended expressly
for an engagement And you know it
wOuldn. I be proper for me to wear such
a ring when I'm cot engaged"
He made no reply.
"Youl have to change it Tom, guess
but it's 50 pretty mat hate to give it
up"
a sudden light came into Toms eyes
and his face flushed almost as deep red
IS the ruby upon which Lefty was sAz-
ing.
~What necessity is there for changing
il, Lefty? Can't You keep il and wear 1t
as it is?v
~But, Tom, everybody would be asking
me if I'm engaged, and what could l tell
them?"
~Tell them yes; tell them you are en-
gagged, and to me. won't you, Letty2"
His voice trembled little. and he sat-
breathlessly awaiting her answer 1t
came softly
-Yes, Tom.s
And when Aunt Martha szw them
together. hall an hour afterward, she smil-