The morning times., 1896-11-22


rowing any luxuries of finery-es especially
jewelry He says that we have 10 depend
sometimes on our friends for necessities
but If we borrow what we don't need We
must be ready to take the consequences
Take the. consequences, nothing! You
take the ring. and I'll take the conse-
quences." And Miss Mabcle Tucker, aged
fourteen, slipped her pretty little cluster
diamond ring upon her friend Texie Ar
nuld's finger, feeling extremely generous
and patronizing.
Her plain blue serge looked almost shah
by beside Mabelle's pink summer silk, with
its naiioun-ilKe sleeves stIiIened over
crinoline.
She reddened angrily whenMabelle added
to her former entrcaties, in Il slangy way
which she affirmed her mother thought was
"cule' and ''snarl.' '' lour pa talks too
much about what girls ought to do. He
don't know. Anyhow, he isn't in it to-
night, and you're just going to wear that
dngl''
1t was a great occasion for a girl living
on Il ranch. The circuit court room, ." hich
was the largest in the court house, OF in the
town, was decorated with feStoons OF
corn-ears stars made of long red mangel-
wurzels, strings of great yellow rutabagas,
like monster apples, combined with the
corn bla des.
Tcxie knew everybody, and everybody
knew and liked her. She was special
favorite with the young matrons and the
girls n little older than herself. She was
asked 10 help on the entertainment com
mittee, and given charge OF a refrcshrncnt
table for a whole blisSful hour.
Altogether, think she was as near per
fectly happy as girls get TO be till she w as
walking home with Mr.. and Mrs. Tucker on
ahead. Then she paused suddenly in her
walk. and her flow OF excited comment
upon the events of the evening, to cry out
In voice sharp with terror, THE ring,
Mabelle-havc you got it?''
''ui 80 s,. I.r. LIS wercd Mahelle
shortly. She was little cross and sleepy,
end, truth to tell, more than a little
Jealous Of Texie's popularity and capacity
for having good time Have you lost
it:'' she inquired suSpicIuuSly.
.'why, l just took it off as we were COM
ing oIf. began TeNic. % p Il on my loves,
you know, and l thought maybe I had
handed il TO you-'
Took il offt'' shrilled MateIIc. II never
take off my rings to put on my gloves-and
now you've Iost IL for MEL
"Oh, hope not pacificd TeXic Let's
60 hack and see if we can find it
pal Ma called Mabeile. sharply,
"Texie's lost my diamond ring that grand
ma gave me, and we've got to go back
and look for it,"
And as Mrs. Tucker hurried back with
excited comments and questions, TeXie's
punishment for her error began.
They searched every foot of the way back
TO the courthouse door, Mabellc weeping,
Texie, who had been brought up TO think,
like q boy, that public teras were pub
lie disgrace, striving hard to keep her
composure, and Mrs. Tucker cross ques-
uuning with increasing acrimony.
When-tfley had notified the young men
inchargeof the hallof their loss Mr.. Tucker.
who had been growing more and more i'm
patient Of the lamentations OF his wife and
daughter. announced that he was going to
take Texie home, and that they might stay
and prosecute the search all night, or come
along Just as they choose
On the way. having silenced Mabclle's
nUise-grief. he tried to administer some
comfort to the visitor. saying that the ring
was all IoolishnesS, anyhow, and he had
said so when his mother had given 1t to
Nab, and that she was not to feel SO bad
even If il were lost-as he didn't thiuk it
waS-ihe boys back at the court house would
be sure Ia find it, and bring it TO them in
the morning.
But behind them Texie could hear Mrs.
Tucker scoldiug sill. telling Mahelle that
II would be a good lesson to her not 10
lend her things to every one who begged for
them. and her Sore heart refused to be corn-
forted.
Once in their little bedroom. she said to
the girl she had thought SO sweet and pleas
ant only a few hours ago. I'm awfully
sorry I've lost your ring Mabelle I'll
replace it, if it's not found
I'D like 10 know how YOU cam replied
Mahelle. sulkily; you'll be afraid 10 tell
your father that you lost some borrowed
jewelry."
Indeed. I'm not afraid TO tell my father
anything reioined TcXic. warmly: but
] don't intend To say ANYTHING TO him till
I've replaced 1t; he's got worries enough of
his own"
well. / know you haven't got the money
Yourself" asserted MahcIlc, glancing with
open significance at her guests plain
dress" why. wouldn't have taken seventy
five dollars for it,
Would a hundred do?" quered Tcxie.
steadily
'Oh. well. OF course" ternporized Ma
belle, grandma gave it to me. and l
never. never could feel the same about any
other ring: but If you've got hundred
dollars and my ring isn't found-then-but
] wouldn't have sold it for that, you under
stand"
Il haven't a hundred dollars now" said
TeXie 'she was mistress at that moment
OF just tweuty-eight cents at home in a
ls
enough, IL get 1t for you by next Thanks
giving"
That's whole year from now - COM
planned Mabelle, "but, of course, q hun
dred dollars is enough She knew that
grandma. Tucker had paid S25 for the
ring, and that she had lent it to Texie
mainly because she had never liked it,
did not care to wear it herself. and thought
her So garnet much prettier
why do they call it Thanksgiving"
groaned Texie inwardly as she tossed
npon her pillow beside the soundly slum-
bering Mahelle, and cudgled her brain for
ways and means by which she could make
up the hundred dollars before the next
day OF thankfulness came around.
PART II.
Texie had one available gift, and She
knew i;-cOokcry. Music she loved, and
She shed some very bitter tears think
ing of the music lessons she had meant
10 earn the money for, and which We're
now out of the question, since all her
earning capacity must lie devoted to
aging this debt.
The household at home consisted of
Texie. her father and an old Mexican
couple. The wife was cook and house
keeper, and old Miguel had been the horse
breaker, or, as the cowboys say, without
at all intending to lie slangy and really
't'c ''"' sh'A sit NSliiS IL ltII 10 Ee
found in any well regulated dictionary,
the "bronco buster of the ranch till a
bad fall lamed him for life
He pottered about the ranch now. at
tending to the fruit, raising them bet
ter garden than any OF their neighbors
had, and doing odd jobs for his board
His spending money he earned by sell
ing Chile Concarne OF the round ups and
fairs.
In him was Texie's main hope. She bade
Mabelle a very willing goodbye, renew
ing her assurances that the money would
be ready for her on the next Thanksgi wing,
and Mhen she qni hnrne She found Nj el