The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-23

assSsSsY
What-whats tLis."
pretty enough to like good time,
Why, she's three years younger than
you, Theo. Wait minute, Rod! I'll
go ask her"
Before Iheo could interfere, Dot
all elbows and angles as sixteen is apt
to be-was flying Up the stairs. She
came back rueful and depressed.
Jasmine won't go. She says to
thank you ever so much for thinking
CT her-but she won't CO."
II am very sorry" said Merrill in a
low voice. He looked hurt and dis
appointed. In short time he took his
leave. When he drove up that even
ing he noticed black-clad form leav-
ing the Brinker residence. Something
familiar about it drew his attention.
Wasn't that Jasmine Marsh?" he
asked himself as she vanished in the
shadows Of the winter night. He put
the same question to Dot when she
met him in the hall. She lifted a
flushed little face that showed traces
Of tears.
Yes. Theo got mamma to pay her
"a month extra and send her away at
once. j don't know what's got into
Theo. Because Jasmine has to sup
port her brother who is at school out
of her earnings, Theo seems to think
Jasmine must need money badly
enough to steal!"
Whats that, Dot?" Rod cried
sharply. did you say-steal?'
Dot nodded. "Theo thinks Jasmine
took the stone out of her ring. l don't
care how hard up Jasmine Marsh was
she wouldn't do thing like that!"
mo, she wouldn't. Dot!" There was
a ring of emotion in his voice. "She
wouldn't for a kingdom!"
Dot flashed upstairs and into Theo-
dosia's room.
Hurry up!" sne cried. Rod is wait
ing. Are you going to screw your feet
into those slippers? You'll never do it
in month of Sundays! They're two
sizes too small for you-do make
haste!"
A final frantic struggle with her new
kid slippers, grab for her fowers-a
clutch at her opera bag, and Theo was
on the landing-was walking down the
stairs as unconcernedly as she could.
She fancied Rods manner was stiff and
cool. Her physical torture, however,
bighted all mental impressions. The
tight slippers were agonizing-one es-
pecially. She whispered to Dot that
she was afraid she could not dance in
them. There's something in one. -
she began.
Dot cut her short with scant sympa-
thy. There is. It's your foot-and its
twice the size it ought to be to fit in
a number three slipper!" she declared.
Why don't you kick it OFF,"
Theo took her advice. She wriggled
her foot out of the kid covering. When
they were about to leave she thrust
her foot around in fumbling and in
effectual search for it. Merrill and his
friend noticed her embarrassment.
What is the matter?" he asked,
courteously. "Have you lost any
thing?"
"It's her slipper" explained Dot the
terrible. at was too tight. She took
it off to rest her foot. I'll get it for
you, Theo."
ALLOW me-" said Merrill. He went
down on one knee, found the cause
of Theos discomfort, offered to put il
on. But, Theo, crimson with NORTH.
cation, refused.
"Hallo." he exclaimed. They were
in the back of the box. He paused as
he was about to hand her her property
"What-what's this?"
A round object, white and glistening
had caught his eye. 1t had rolled from
the toe to the heel of the slipper.
ooh, it's your pearl!" cried Dot
"Theo Brinker-aren't you ashamed tt
think how you made mamma sent
Jasmine away?"
But for once Theo was speeches..
Jasmine" Rod Merrill said, wher
he found Miss Marsh next day, "T'vt
been waiting until my proposed expert
ment was proven success before
dare tell you how / have loved you
will always love you. Is there any
hope?"
"But-Thco! You gave her that
ring! You say she found the PEARL
You are engaged"
II have never been engaged to any
woman, Jasmine! And if you send me
She could not meet the love-splendo,
IL his eyes. He held out his arms.
With a little blissful sigh she crept
ntol their strong and shelteri4g clasp.
To 70 to church twice.