Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-04-22
A Tray of
Rings
Copyright, lOOR b. DAILY story Pub, CO.

Copyr1ghI A&A ~ DAAAy 1tory Fuos 70.
Benjamin Priddle's jewelry store
was the finest shop in Warren City and
1t 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 dancingin fun. do you
expect me to buy it-Or 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 a small boy-a small
boy holding a square package OF his
closely pressed knees-knees that
seemed knit together by conscious re-
sponsibility. BEG pardon" he said.
"How are you, Mr.. TaylorP" 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. 1 could
a done the other Teller, but his pals
vas too much.
Don't try it again, Jimmie. Knight
be out of sight. What have you there?
1 don't mean that. It's none of my
business"
Jimmie moved forward with mystic
rious solemnity. He looked around
the orner He clasped his hands
over his package. Then in a hoarse
whisper he asked: "You like her?"
And Taylor, more in amusement than
curiosity, nodded. "Well, say, Mr..
Dick"-an 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. I heard 1t 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 1t on her finger
~and-golly, here she comes. Please,
Mr.. Dick, don't give me away"
Mr.. Dick winked compliance to jim
mie 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
Ike very much, ma'am, to know your
references, miss"
Preferences, Jimmie, preferences, =
corrected Taylor, with a laugh, in
which Miss Elsie merrily Joined.
"Very kind Of Mr.. Priddle, I am
sure" she said. perhaps Mr.. Taylor
would like to look at them, too?
Win. you wait. Jimmie?
Very well. Sit down. Mr.
Taylor, suppose we go to the library
There's q better light"
"Tn bet he makes a touchdown
said Jimmie to himself, as he curleC
up in the seat and smiled like a tene
ment-raised Cupid.
They looked at the rings. A mellow
Hight came through the wide plat.
glass.
"Aren't they lovely?" she asked.
beautiful"
switch do you ike best2"
"What for?"
"Anything-for itself"
san engagement"
"Don't be foolish"
snow here" he said, selecting
aiming cluster, 'fs . hne thing fOI