Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-11-19

Tic ScNcH uc viii hiiJH just NutlC W
| look for her."
He turned sharply away, with chok-
ing throat and hot, singing eyeballs.
"You do care, Kenneth" persisted
his mother wistfully.
EYES," he answered shortly, II care.
1 care so much that l cannot tolerate
| the thought of her as prize in game
| of hide and seek"
1.-THE package, Kenneth" Mrs. Car
ter suggested inquiringly.
He opened it quickly, gazing bewil-
dered st the contents, a small, plain
| gold ring.
what does it mean?" he asked con-
| fusedly.
Il think it means that you are not
| the only one who cares. She evidently
doesn't intend you to fail for lack Of
ring that fits. Now will you go?"
"Yes," he said quickly, "but I'll seek
her at her home, as an honorable man
should, not elsewhere"
He returned in an hour, with disap-
pointment unmistakable in his face.
His mother did not need to question
him.
II saw three or four men who, am
positive, were looking for her." he
said in a slow, hard tone-"Van Horn,
with his best pair, and little Sawtelle
in his automobile. There's a dinner
dance at Trumbull's tonight, and
young Cooper and Dixie Salter came
dashing out of there just as l was
passing"
"Are you sure she isn't at homer"
cit was her own maid who came to
the door. l feel sure that she would
not deceive me. You know she is little
Oscar Larsons sister,"
'The boy who was injured and for
whom you secured the damagesY
Eyes. The girl evidently knew all
about this affair and realized the USE
lessness of my search for she said in
a very kind and gentle way, You'd
better go home, Mr.. Carter"
A faint flicker of a smile, instantly
repressed, appeared at the corners of
Mrs. Carriers mouth.
But the ring, Kenneth" she per-
sisted.
Probably sent to raise my hopes
and so make my failure all the more
crushing" he answered bitterly.
eve will not speak of it again, dear
little mother, and / will say good
night now. l want to be alone"
Before you go, dear, please bring
me my embroidery from the library
table,"
He pushed aside the portieres and
entered the library. A slender, girl
ish figure stood before the crate, and
the dancing freight fell in soft CLEANS
upon her white dress and lent bright
glow to a face pale with emotion.
Kenneth gave sharp GRIP and sprang
forward.
as it you, Paula? Is it really you?
Am l the one to find your
"Did you want to find me, Kenneth"
she asked, half crying.
"Did l want to? Oh, Paula
He held her to his breast in silence
and then bent and kissed the sweet
mouth appraised to his.
1t was after the announcement of
the engagement that Paula exclaimed
one day, looking into Kenneth's
gloomy face: "What is the matter, Sir
Doleful? Such an expression as that
on the face Of newly engaged man
is hardly fattering to his fancee."
He answered slowly, 'That night at
the ball you said there were several
whom you would be willing to marry"
Il did,, Paula returned promptly,
''but you may recall that I said also
if all the circumstances were favora-
ble.'"
IL can't see that that changes it
any," he argued obtusely.
"You don't deserve to be told, but
because you are SO stupid I'll have to
explain that the absolutely essential
circumstance was that 1 should love
the man. And lest you continue max
ing yourself miserable for nothing I'll
confess right now that you were the
only one to whom 1 sent note. Even
then l was so dreadfully afraid you
wouldn't come that I followed the
note, and your mother aided and
abetted' in q most shocking manner"