Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-04-02
A Tray of
Rings
Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Co.
BY LYNN RoBY MEEKINs.

Benjamin Priddle's jewelry store
was the finest shop in Warren City and
it knew more family history than the
cemetery. Benjamin Priddle himself
had supplied the birth rings and en-
gagement rings and wedding rings and
anniversary rings for several genera
tions, and still he insisted on being as
young and as cheerful as the newest
crop of sunny-faced boys and love
kissed girls.
But of them all he liked Elsie Brown
ing best The fine old Browning home
was almost opposite his store. He
had known her from babyhood. He
had sold Mr.. Browning the ring that
Mrs. Browning had worn through all
the years-and also the other rings.
And Elsie knew the treasures of his
shop. In fact, he liked to seek her adj
vice, to go by her taste and to heed her
counsel. What were the girls wearing
in larger cities? Miss Elsie could tell
him. What were the popular styles?
Miss Elsie always knew. And-"when
it comes to getting the ring for you,
Miss Elsie, the ring of all rings, it must
come from Benjamin Priddle's."
"How silly!" exclaimed Miss Elsie,
her dark eyes dancing-in fun. do you
expect me to buy tor even to select
it?"
stranger things have happened"
! said Mr. Priddle solemnly.
! A lovely morning and Mr.. Richard
| Taylor looked unusually tall, fair and
| debonnair when he rang the bell of
the Browning house. AS he passed
| into the reception room he almost
| stumbled over small boy-a small
boy holding a square package on his
closely pressed knees-knees that
seemed knit together by conscious re-
sponsibility. BEG pardon" he said.
"How are you, Mr.. Taylor?' and he
| looked again.
'Why, bless my soul, it's Jimmie
| Jimmie from Priddle's. Glad to see
you. Jimmie. How's your eye?"
"Better, thank you, sir. And thank
you again for helping me out. I could
a done the, other Teller, but his pals
was too much.
Don't try it again, Jimmie. Knight
be out of sight. What have you there
I don't mean that. It's none of my
| business"
Jimmie moved forward with mystic
rious solemnity. He looked around
the corners. He clasped his hands
over his package. Then in hoarse
whisper he asked: "You like her?''
And Taylor, more in amusement than
curiosity, nodded. "Well, say, Mr..
| Dick''-all the boys showed how they
really loved the old college athlete
when they called him Mr.. Dick
"you'd better get a move on. It's a put
up job [ heard it all-Mr. T. Morgan
Belmarest and Mr.. Priddle going over
the whole thing, and the one she likes
why, the automobile guys going to
bring it over and put it on her finger
and-golly, here she comes. Please,
| Mr.. Dick, don't give me away"
| Mr.. Dick winked compliance to jim
! mic and arose to meet Miss Elsie
Browning, who, radiant, smiling and
beautiful, entered. Little Jimmie
! stood dutifully, holding his package
as steadily as though he and it had
come from the same mould. She greet
ed Taylor and then turned to Jimmie
"Well, Jimmie, what is it?''
''Mr. Priddle sent 'em, Miss. A lot OF
new rings he's just got in. Thought
you might want to look at 'em. Would
like very much, ma 'am, to know your
! references, miss"
/ preferences, Jimmie, preferences
| corrected Taylor, with a laugh. in
which Miss Elsie merrily joined.
Every kind of Mr.. Priddle, I an
sure" she said. perhaps Mr.. Taylor
would like to look at them, too?
Will. you wait. Jimmie?
Very well. Sit down Mr.
Taylor, suppose we go to the library
There's a better light"
''I'll bet he makes a touchdown,
said Jimmie to himself, as he curlet
/ I'D in the seat and smiled like a tene
ment-raised Cupid.
They looked at the rings. A mellow
| light came through the wide plate
glass.
aren't they lovely?" she asked.
sBeautiful.''
(Which do you like best?"
"What for?"
"Anything-for itself"
IAN engagement"
Don't be foolish"
snow here" he said. selecting ;
J shining cluster. lis fine thing fol