The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-03-22

Will ullue. Leave Ont Ut luc OtileI III
home, pease-whicheye you prefer
As stalked down the veranda steps
l carried with me a picture of Ca
brielle's bewitchng, petnlant face look
ing up at me in hurt surprise.
ITS the dearest riag, John" she
called penitently, the pearl one Ours.
Thank you, dear
Then as turned ready to take her in
my arms in the friendly screen of the
vines she rose and came to the steps.
her little flowery blue gown trailing.
But shall wear them both tonight,
Mr.. John Baden she said, with pretty
mischief. And you shall apologize
too"
@Never." said l, with dignity, and
came almost face to face with Gabri-
Giles mother idling up from the gar
den, looking a picture in white.
What big, long words he uses"
cried Gabrielle's mother gayly.
Mrs. Jocelyn." said I. III Gabrielle
becomes unmanageable will you marry
me-
Mrs Jocelyn has been a widow for
years.
what commendable thrift for
rainy day. she said, smiling.
For some reason the question of the
white sapphire took on a significance
out of all proportion. AS | drove to
Gabrielle's that evening our love, our
future even her adorableness, which
was never tired of reviewing, were of
less moment to me than whether or not
she would disregard my wishes about
the ring. 1t seemed to me zone of those
to blow" But l remembered with COM
fort that Gabrielle had an enchanting
habit of obstinacy up to the moment of
withdrawal in other peoples favor. So
as l sat opposite her and her mother on
the way to the Holdons' | became COM
fortably, even triumphantly sure TINT
there were no white sapphires in the
carriage.
When we went down to supper at
midnight Mr. Algernon Phelps joined
US with his unbearable manner of be
Ing wanted where, TO be sure, he WAS
wanted by every one but me. Was he,
| wondered sayagely, after we were
married to persist in these visits and
presents on the strength of "when Ga
brielle was six" Then l watched Ga
brielle feverishly while she drew off
the fingers of her gloves md tucked
them daintily and with pretty delibera-
ton In her long, loose glove wrists.
10 loft
modest band of pearls suiting her deli
cate little hand to perfection. Then the
right hand, and there blazed the white
sapphires.
| looked away NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
anywhere. When l came to analyZe 1t
| did not care a continental about Mr..
Algernon Phelps white sapphires.
cared only that Gabrielle had not cared
to please me.
And the third one Gabrielle was
saying, "ls going to be that new
poppy figure. I've seen the favors for
that. They are-why. John, what is
it?'
Nothing" said l mlserably She had
not even done it to tease me purposely!
There would have been some balm Of
bittersweet in that. My wishes had
been simply neglected and forgotten
She did not even trouble to triumph in
having carried out her threat.
aren't you having a good timer
murmured Gabrielle anXiously.
Really, this was almost obtuse. For
answer | stole one glance down at that
little right hand and then buried my
glances furiously in my salad.
OH Gabrielle had fascinating
habit of starting little laugh and
then thinking better of 1t. She did this
now and stopped to say in the softest
little voice:
You think that don't love your
you know it," said |, morbdly.
81 do"-stlll more softly. This would
have been heaven had it not been for
that stupid ring.
Il love you 50 much,' she went one,
that it hurts me to have a secret from
you. But have had to-until tonight"
with Mr.. Phelps?' wanted to
know, grimly He was talking with
Mrs. Jocelyn and heard nothing
Yes" said Gabrielle. "nnd with
some one else"
Not until | followed her glance did
my eye fall upon the gllttering little
hand of Gabrielle's mother. And on
the third finger of her left hand was an
exquisite ring of white sapphires and
diamonds.
Gabrielle was watching me.
You dear" she murmured, haven't
you guessed? Mr. Phelps brought her
the ring today, and he gave me mine
as a peace Offering"
They - you they?" l wanted to
know.
"They didn't want both engagements
announced at once" said Gabrielle.
That is why l didn't want to wear
the pearls. But I don't care really,
John"
l looked over at pretty little Mrs.
Jocelyn sitting contentedly beside Mr..
Algernon Phelps and then down at
Gabrielle, who was laughing at me.
Neither do | care" | said raptur-
ously.
Solid Emery wheels.
In the production of solid emery
wheels the best cement that can be
employed is one that binds the emery