The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1895-08-01
RECOVERING A RING.

RECOVERING A RING.
Virginia asked me to take her out for
row. So of course tucked a big red
cushion under each arm and straight
way went down to the boathouse, for
Virginia had promised herself to me in
marriage, and perforce obeyed her al
ways and implicitly, as is the custom in
such cases.
had been staying for some weeks
with her people. who had country
house ON the western shore of lake
we'll, the name doesn't matter. We had
been together great deal, and had
learned to read Virginia's moods from
the expression of her adorable little
mouth. On this particular occasion her
lips were pressed tightly together, which
symptom meant in my code that a storm
was brewing, and SO, after her ladyship
had settled herself comfortably among
the cushions, I, saying nothing, sculled
steadily away from the shore for some
minutes. And besides it was one Of
make one silent. Little will-o' -the-wisps
of sunlight were dancing with the rip
pies on the surface Of the lake. The
trees on the shore, like coquettes who
are conscious of having lost the full
bloom of their beauty, had dressed
themselves in gaudy suits Of scarlet and
orange, as if hoping by brilliancy OF
color to hide the tragedy of decay that
makes autumn so infinitely pathetic.
Ever and anon an adventurous trout
would spring out of the water to look
at the deep blue of the sky, and great
golden bumblebees went buZzing over
our heads in their transit across the lake
in search Of fresh plumber.
Watching these things, was almost
unmindful of Virginia's presence, and I
started when she said sharply, "You're
not very amusing this afternoon. Z"
] smiled an answer, whereupOn she
Immediately cleared decks for action,
and said, with fine air Of irony, eff
only your dear Mrs. Carruthers were
here, you would soon find plenty to say.
I'm sure the way you went on with her
at lunch was simply disgracefuL Not
that am jealous Of her. You needn't
think that! I"
Mrs. Carruthers was fellow guest Of
mine who possessed great many Of
the alluring qualities Of young widow.
< She's horrid firt! 70 =
"Virgie!"
"She is, and you know it. You can't
call her pretty"
ssWell, dear, suppose mayn't, but
I have heard lots Of fellows say they
Thought she was brick. -
Brick or no brick, she's 40 If she's
day.
"She probably is day, but 40-no.
Shall we say 39?"
This was ingenious on my part see
ing that Virginia and both knew that
Mrs.f 6rTuthers val not yet 26. III
Virginia flushed and looked at me
with her lower lip quivering. sksl
George, whensy you are sarcastic 4 Al'
m6sS hAte you. "s&s@ NJ vs.
'Dearl'' said reproachfully, accen.
tuating the 9 vowel sound. to make the
little word seem more caressing.
II wish ! had never met yp1. 4 Int
being engaged anyway-and we seem K
be always quarreling."
"It takes two to make quarrel, Vir.
gle, and I'm sure I'm in the best q
tempers. !"
s.That's the aggravating part a. it
You sit there smiling and can't make
you angry"
To my shame be it said, burst on,
laughing. The moment after ! was sorry
for the tears began to gather in her eyes
and can't bear that, and more omfn
Gus still, she was fidgeting with her en-
gagement ring. Now this really alarm
ed me- As rule, our engagement wa
broken and recementeds once "a week
Only the afternoon before we had gon'
through the ceremony. II it were goinl
to happen once every day, there wer
elements Of danger in the custom which
it was desirable to avoid gtf
But before had time to sue for for
giveness Virginia took of the little gol,
band and after moments hesitation
flung it to the lake. And then she look
ed straight at me, with brave show Q
defiance, although the telltale moutl
let me know that she was frightened a
what she had done. was more hur
than words can say, and with fey
swift strokes turned the boats hea
homeward. But couldn't bear to leav
the ring behind, and ] determined t
dive for it. shipped my oars and too
off my coat. Virginia pretended to tax
no notice. Then, watching her closely
i began to unite my shoe laces Stil
she pretended not to see. Then too
of my belt and shoes and placed tn
contents Of my trousers pockets in
neat little heap in the bottom OF To
boat.
virginia's eyes met mine. and sh
said TREMENDOUSLY, "What are you goin
to do, George?"
Dive for the ring, Virginia.
"Can you swim?''
emo"
couldn't resist this fib. It woul
have spoiled it all If had told her ths
I, at Elton, had held the school cham
pionship for three years in succession.
George, dear, can't we let the me
dredge for it?''
Chow should we ever remember tn
exact spot where it went down? No,
4 this with slight touch Of melodram
LEI must take the risk. And. virgit
(, III should not-not come up, don't ~
lnow-tell them that fell overheard
ginis 1ays: .yent 70 = scream. e