Newport weekly independent., 1903-10-23
A Tray of
 Rings
Copyright, 1903, 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 sunnyfaced 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 MT. 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 ad- 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 it-or even to select it?"
 Stranger things have happened" said MT. Priddle solemnly.
 A lovely morning and Mir 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 on his closely pressed knees-knees that seemed knit together by conscious re- sponsibility. Beg pardon" he said.
 How are you, Mir. 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 feller, but his pals was too much.
 Don't try it again, Jimmie. knight be out of sight. What have you there? don't mean that. It's none of my : business"
 Jimmie moved forward with myste- rious solemnity. He looked around the corners. 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"-all the boys showed how they really loved the old college athlete when they called him Mir. Dick ''you'd better get a move on. It'sa a put up job. I 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, MT Dick, don't give me away"
 MT. 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.
 "Yery kind of Mir. Priddle, am