Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-12-18
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. HOW THE OLD YEAR WENT OUT - ~:
= BY MAURICE COLEMAN ~
BY MAURICE COLEMAN.
-~~-N%~~~-o~~

ES EARD of Dora's engagement, | sup
a pose2' asked old Col. Foster briskly.
~ACapital fellow, George Standish, lit
4le old for the girl, perhaps, but she
seems to like him, and of course my
wife is pleased"
| nodded and murmured something
conventional How could | tell Col. Eos
ter that for the last two years l had
regarded him as my prospective father
an-law, and that | had even been fool
enough to come down to the Grange
with an engagement ring for Dora in
my pocket!
Well. well, | had been fool, it seem
Ell, an utter fool, and the sooner | got
back to Chicago the better; if they had
not been having that dance, the annual
New Years eve affair, | believe l should
Aave made some wild excuse and got
away Dora fitted into the study; she
booked wonderfully bright and pretty.
20, here you are, Jack. When did you
arrive2 Fancy sitting here with father,
when you might have been having nice
tea with mother and me in the drawing
room, and mullins, Jack, 0, such heaven
BY mullins"
IL must congratulate you, Dora"
l spoke in my best manner, stiffly and
hope sternly, putting as much reproach
In my glance as | could.
THANK you so much; the house is up
side down with excitement, and the
girls, as you will find, can talk of moth
ing but bridesmaids dresses. AS to
mother she is radiant with pride, for
4 shnll be quite a great lady, shall l
not, daddy, dear? o, here's the ring"
Sine held up a slender finger for my
inspection, circled by u cleaning hoop
Of large and scintillating brilliants. In
voluntarily l contrasted the costly gage
with the simple ring reposing in my
waistcoat pocket Oh, yes, Dora had
been wise in her generation.
1 had privately determined not to ask
Dora to dance, but, all the same, valse
No. 8 found us sitting out together in
Ahe darkest and most bescreened of re-
treats.
SIS it not nice. and dark, and cozy?'
laughed Dora geefully. Il rugged it up
myself this morning. "Why are you so
gloomy and silent, Jack?"
1.-The truth isl l answered, II don't
feel happy over this engagement of
yours; Standish is so much older than
you are"
'Well, know that" She tapped her
pretty foot impatiently. "But listen,
Jack, to the true position of affairs.
was rather fond of somebody-years ago,
though he evidently did not care about
me. Well, | am not the sort of q girl
who goes breaking her heart and max
ang everybody uncomfortable and miser-
able. Mr. Standish appeared and show
I'D pretty plainly that he liked and adj
mired me"
But have you told him that you are
not in love with him, Dora:"
''Of course / have. and he is rather re-
Moved, for he is not really in love with
me. He has spoken the truth honestly.
too; he adored his first wife, he was
devoted to his daughter and almost
Aroken-hearted when she died last year.
He wants me to take her place in n way,
10 have youth about his home again,
some one to pet and spoil"
Here is wedding present, Dora"
said II wish you all possible happiness,
dear"
"A wedding present! But you did not
know, Jack till father told you this af
NexnOonT'
She looked at me with brows slightly
knit, a wistful expression in her eyes;
aAEN, puptA, sue uuSAeu
ali over the face.
IL was simple ring. made to my own
aesign-one pearl, with stem and leaf
az small diamonds, made to resemble
mistletoe.
II think it lovely Jack, but l don't
quite understand. Did you mean it only
kar New Years gitt?"
told her all, then, told her how l had
1osed her from my college days, and had
always had before me the hope of win
y a. her for my wife.
"Why did you not tell me, Jack?"
Ehe cried 80. Jack, Jack, why didn't
yea speak,
Because l was a poor man, Dora.
hare worked hard. Dora, and last week
was offered place that means bread
and batter and jam. so | went straight
81 20 the jeweler and ordered that little
ring for You
SIZE burst into a sudden shower of