The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-03-22
WHITE
SAPPHIRES
By POMONA PERRIN
Coppriqht, 1906, By Nc Cl,tre, Phillips d Co.
BY POMONA PERRIN

temptlngly 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 ring was eXtrava-
giant
John she cried now. "why-oh,
you shouldn't"
But l should" ! persisted BE
sides. l doubt If betrothals are legal
without rings"
81 love pearls" said Gabrielle, but
there was little pucker in her fore
head that nature had set there to warn
me-and other men, alas-when she
was not quite pleased. l 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, l wouldn't
But WAS wondering
Wondering what?" demanded 1, pal
plating.
Everybody will have to know now"
the truth came. Everybody will see it
on my finger"
well" said l in relief, that's what
| want"
Not right away-you know we said
not right away" said Gabrielle hastily.
l looked away through the vines of
the veranda and glowered at all the
sunny world. Gabrielle's mot right
away" was disquietingly elastic. She
had been using that phrase for two
months.
"I'll tell YOU" she solved the matter
brightly, when we go to places
won't wear it on this finger-for little
while, you know, John. I'll just wear
1t On this tinger-for U.S."
Gabrielle was never so aIlurng but l
hardened my heart
80" | said, without looking at her,
"tho reason that you said ring was
an extravaganza was because you did
not want Mr.. Algernon Phelps and the
rest of them to know. hadn't thought
OF that
Certainly 1t wasn't" flashed Gabri-
ellie. You are lnsanely suspicious
John. Algernon Phelps," she finished
He Is quite old enough to be my ia
Their"
He isn't old enough not to give you
presents" said l, (which you have no
right to accept"
Gabrielle looked at me In amaze
ment. Well she might for in those
two months, despite the fact that had
bitterly resented the continual presence
of big devoted Mr.. Algernon Phelps at
their house, | had resolutely concealed
it,
John" she cried, 'how ridicuous
He is mothers friend"
And In love with you" l grimly
supplemented.
Gabrielle laughed-a ringing, adora
bic little laugh that made me wish our
engagement had never come between
we were engaged.
That's very funny" said Gabrielle
frankly He has given me presents
since | was six. However that isn't
the point. III wear the ring on the
right finger mean on the right left
fnger-really l will, dear. I'll wear it
to the Holdons' tonight"
"Will you, sweetheart said 1, paci-
fed, land will you want to, Gabrlelle?
"Of course | 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 | caught sight of the
other ring. She wore on her right
hand a magnificently carved bit Of
gold. set with three exquisite white
sapphlres
"Gabriellew | cried. "Where"-
She smiled at me serenely without
moving her hands.
Mr. Phelps bought 1t this morning"
she said i've been waiting for you
to notice 1t"
sank to the depths of despair. 1t
was not only that the ring was far
more beautiful than the little clrclet Of
pearls that | had selected, but 1t had
been brought to her by that mantle
great, devoted creature whom | 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.
at is" said I shortly.
Gabrielle looked first at one ring
and then at the other, with charming
Partially.
Two new rings" she said musIngly.
Wont the girls envy me! What a
pity that | will have to wear gloves at
the Holdons' tonightr'
"Gabriellel" | cried. Surely you
will never wear both rings today Of all
days?"
why not?" Gabrielle wanted to
know wonderingly, "Oh, don't be
stupldw she cried prettily. why, what
can you care for his ring, John? You
might as we'll object to my wearing my
baby locket that he gave me when |
was in pigtails. It's a beautiful 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 | was six matte"
could not much longer be tolerated. ~
man appears at house morning after
noon and evening, as Mr.. Algernon
Phelps appeared at the house of Gabri-
ellie, in exactly the spirit in which he