Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-10-18

too wise and too intent on winning her
On this particular morning it was
about half way between the farm and
Acacia Cottage that they had met
when she greeted him with the
words
You have sold picture. Randolph
I am sure"
What makes you say so?" he asked
You know. Oh, Randolph. how
you love mystery, and how hate it
You know what found in my canary
cage this morning-only this morn
ing" and the beautiful eyes were turn
ed to him with mingled pleasure and
wonder. What place to put pack
Ct in" she continued. Suppose my
aunt had gone to the cage the first
thing this morning to feed the bird?"
Il knew she would not. From the
chestnut tree in the field | can see all
that passes in your garden. Every
morning | see you going to feed your
bird after you have hung its cage up
in the porch"
Il believe that you know everything
do and say" she replied. laughing
and blushing. "Oh, Randolph how
beautiful it Isl"
That morning, on going to feed her
canary, Violet found a little parcel in
the cage. It was addressed to 'My
beautiful sweetheart" and she knew
at once that Randolph had climbed the
garden wall, and had placed it there
for her. Opening it. she found dia
mond ring, and though she knew lit
tie of Jewels she felt that it must have
cost a large sum. She had at once
| jumped to the conclusion that, to buy
! this for her artist-lover must have
! sold a picture, perhaps at great sacri
| fee. How dearly he loved her And
| her heart reproached her that she did
not love him more He looked delight
| ed when she praised his present. II
am so glad you are pleased with 1t. ="
| he said Have you put it on?"
Randolph, a diamond ring! What
would my aunt say? No; have lock-
ed 1t up in my drawer"
| "Will you let me put it on you? he
asked
Some day, perhaps" she replied;
but not yet-not yet, Randolph"
81 am very patient, Violet; | would
| wait all my life for you rather than
| lose you. Sweetheart, it was the Sec
! ond Of June when | first saw you, and
( the harvest moon will be shining
You said you would be content if
| | would be your sweetheart" she said
half reproachfully. half in surprise,
and ! have been your sweetheart all
these weeks. Randolph. What more
do you want?"
What more?" And he looked at
her in surprise Everything, Violet
| But tell me why you think have sold
a picture
Because that ring must have cost
so much money"
81 see" he cried Do not be dis
/ tressed about the money, Violet
/ assure you that have not sold one of
my pictures. and that had the money
/ by me; had my dear indeed"
! Now ! shall enjoy my present" fe
said, her eyes Frightening, All my
! life ! have longed for a beautiful ring.
II shines, Randolph, as though myrl-
ed sunbeams We're concentrated in IT,"
+ "You are not mercenary." he said.
I 81? Oh Randolph, what a terrible
/ idea / mercenary," she said.
Il was thinking" he interrupted,
/ that YOU would not enjoy anything
that you thought had cost any one else
a sacrifice. If you thought had sold
a picture to buy that ring, you would
not care for it,"
Il should not care for it so much,
/ she replied. Il have heard my aunt
1 speak of diamonds; | know how valu-
able they are l never thought
/ should have a diamond ring"
One of these nights, when the moon
/ is shining, you will let me come and
| put it on for you, will you not? We
| have been sweethearts now for many
weeks. Are you so content, Violet,
/ that YOU wish for no more
1T is very nice" she replied, care
lossly 1T is quite new for me to have
Some one who admires me, and says
pretty things to me. who gives me
beautiful presents and makes life
more bright and cheerful for me.
am not sure that | want more"
Now, Violet. stand still--how quick
ly you are walking, my darling, this
morning. stand still moment. look
into the very depths Of your heart, and
tell me would YOU like always to live
in this fashion, TO be no nearer and
dearer to me than you are now"
She stood still and looked at him
thoughtfully.
What does your heart say, Violet?"
he asked
ut says nothing" she replied Il
am very happy"
Have you no longing to be with me
always?' he asked.
20 sNoull Ike TO see more of you,
she replied, certainly"
When / am away from you, you do
not count the hours and minutes un.