The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-07-31
You sit there smiling and I can't make

JNO~ cSAASAy'
To my shame be it said, burst out
laughing The moment after I was sorry,
Tor the tears began to gather in her eyes,
and l can't bear that, and more omin-
Gus still, she was fdgeting with her en-
gagement ring. Now this really alarm
ed me. AS rule, our engagement was
broken and recemented once a week.
Only the afternoon before we had gone
through the ceremony. If it were going
to happen once every day, there were
elements Of danger in the custom which
it was desirable to avoid.
But before had time to sue for for
giveness Virginia took off the little gold
band and after moments hesitation
flung it to the lake. And then she look
ed straight at me, with brave show Of
defiance, although the telltale mouth
let me know that she was frightened at
what she had done. I was more hurt
than words can say, and with a few
swift strokes turned the boats head
homeward. But couldn' t bear to leave
the ring behind, and I determined to
dive for it. shipped my oars and took
off my coat. Virginia pretended to take
no notice. Then, watching her closely,
l began to unite my shoe laces. Still
she pretended not to see. Then took
off my belt and shoes and placed the
contents of my trousers pockets in a
neat little heap in the bottom of the
boat.
Virginia's eyes met mine, and she
said TREMENDOUSLY, "What are you going
to do, George?"
"Dive for the ring, Virginia.
Can you swim?"
ono"
I couldn't resist this fib. It would
have spoiled it all if had told her that
I, at Elton, had held the school cham
pionship for three years in succession.
George, dear, can't we let the men
dredge for it?''
"How should we ever remember the
exact spot where it went down? No."
this with slight touch of melodrama
ct must take the risk And, Virgie,
if I should not-not come up, don't you
know-tell them that fell overheard.
Virginia gave vent to scream. Not
one of those staccato notes that the
mention OF a mouse will generally bring
from women, but a genuine scream OF
fear
George, please-please don't I am
SO sorry was jealous and cross and
wicked. -
And the tears began to show them
selves again, so, without more ado,
went to the bow and took a header. [
found that the water was only about ten
feet deep, but the ring was not to be
seen. On coming up for breath, 1 found
poor Virginia brandishing an oar over
the side of the boat, with view to saw
ing my life if possible. I seized it with
much show Of distress and waited I'M
til got my breath. Virginia implored
me to come back into the boat, but [
was obdurate After the third dive [ re-
turned to the surface, triumphantly
holding out the object Of my search. l
swan to the side Of the boat, and tax
ing hold of Virginia's left hand, [
placed the ring on her finger. We made
many vows and promises, and it was
not before some minutes had expired
that began to realize that was getting
awfully cold. Clambering back into the
boat with some difficulty, pulled to
the house as quickly as [ could. AS we
came in sight of the lawn Virginia ex-
claimed, "Of course there's that horrid
Mrs. Carruthers waiting for you
'HOrrid. did YOU say, Virgie?"