The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-26
TIE EVENING STORY
White sapphires.
lBy Pomona Perrin. }


hand lay upon the hammocks edge.
temptingly near. and then slipped on
the hoop of pearls. We had been en-
gagged almost two months, but it had
been a ringless engagement because
Gabrielle said that a ring was extraya-
CANT.
Joint" she cried now, "why-oh. you
But 1 should I persisted. Besides.
I doubt if betrothals are legal without
rings
4 love pearls said Gabrielle. but
there was little pueker in her fore
head that Nature had set there to warn
me-and other men, alasi-when she
was not quite pleased. 1 watched her
in secret alarm. In spite of her pro-
tests, then, she would have preferred
diamond.
mo, wouldn't" she said positively
when said so. Really, I wouldn't. But
was wondering
Wondering what?'' demanded I, PAL
plating.
Everybody viii have to know now
the truth came. Everybody will see it
on my finger
Well said I in relief, that's what
I want
mot right away-you know we said
not right away said Gabrielle hastily.
I looked away through the vines of
the VeTanda, and glowered at all the
sunny world. Gabrielle's mot right
away was disquieHngly elastic. She
had been using that phrase for two
months.
"In tell YOU she solved the matter
brightly when we go places l won t
wear it on this f1nger-for a. little while,
you know, John. III just wear it en-
this finger-fOr US.
Gabrielle was never so alluring. but I
hardened my heart.
80" I said without looking at her
rim 9
an extravaganza was because you
didn't want Mr.. Algernon Phelps and
the rest of them to know. L hadn't
thought of that"
Certainly it wasn't, flashed Gabri-
ellie. You are insanely suspicious,
John. Algernon Phelps!" she finished.
He is quite old enough to be my
father"
ne isn't old enough to give you
presents said I, (which you have no
right to accept"
Gabrielle looked at me in amaze
ment. Well she might, for in these
two months, despite the fact that had
bitterly resented the continual pres
ence of big, devoted Mr.. Algernon
Phelps at their house. 1 had resolute-
~ concealed it.
"John!" she cried, how ridiculous
He is mothers friend"
And in love with you" I grimly
supplemented.
Gabrielle laughed ringing. ador-
able little laugh that made me wish
our engagement had never come be-
tween US. We were perfectly happy
before we were engaged.
That's very funny" said Gabrielle,
frankly. HE has given me presents
since I was six. However, that ism t
the point. III wear the ring on the
right finger-I mean the one on the
right left fnger-really l will, dear
I'll wear it to the Holdons tonight
'Wiu you, sweetheart" said /, paci-
fed. land will you want to, Gabrielle? %
"Of course I want to wear it with
all my heart she said simply.
She spread her two little hands on
her blue muslin gown and looked at
them; and then 1 caught sight of that
other ring. She wore on her right
hand a magnif1cently carved bit Of
gold, set with three exquisite white
sGabriellei'' I cried. where
She smiled at me serenely, without
moving her hands.
Mr. Phelps brought it this morn
ing" she said i've been waiting for
you to notice it
I sank to the depths of despair. It
was not only that the ring was far
more beautiful than the little circlet of
pearls that I had selected, but it had
been brought to her by that man-the
great, devoted creature whom 1 liked
in spite of his fondness for Gabrielle
on the very day that we had come
into possession of our engagement
ring.
isn't it beautiful" Gabrielle ap-
pealed to me sweetly.
1T is" said I, softly.
Gabrielle looked first at one ring
and then at the other, with charming
partially
1.-TWO new rings" she said musing-
ly. won't the girls envy mel What
a pity that I will have to wear gloves
at the Holdon's tonight
"Gabrielle!' I cried. surely you will
never wear both rings today, of all
:.Why not?" Gabrielle wanted to
know wonderingly. "Oh, don't be-
stupid" she cried prettily. why
what can you care for his ring, John =?
You might as we'll object to my wear
ing my baby locket that he gave me
when I was in pigtails. It's beauti-
full ring-not nearly so beautiful as
ours, but still beautiful. And want
to wear them both"
Really, this was going too far. That
presents since I was six matter could
not much longer be tolerated. No
man appears at a house morning,
afternoon and evening, as Mr.. Alger-
non Phelps appeared at the house of
Gabrielle, in exactly the spirit in which
he came bearing presents to her
when she was six. And this final white
sapphire indignity was not to be
borne.
Gabrielle" I said. in what be-
lieved to be my sternest though most
tone, 81 cannot believe that
you will be guilty of the-the bad
taste of wearing both those rings to-
night And I particularly wish you
not to do So
Gabrielle thought for moment, |
and then she laughed; and then her
pretty lips set themselves in an I'M
line. and her eyes met mine /
John" she said. Il won't let you be
SO stupid Don't you see-you dear, /
silly thing?" She laughed most heart |
Iessly. I wouldn't wear anybody else's I
ring with yours-but his"
As if that were extenuation. Matters /
were now twice as bad. rose, it being /
very nearly dinner time anyway. I /
looked down at Gabrielle.
.@That is lust it." said I with formal /