The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-04-10
WHITE
SAPPHIRES
By POMONA PENRLN


hand lay upon the hammock's edge,
temptingly near, and then slipped on
the hoop of pearls We had been en-
gagged almost two months, but 1t had
been a ringless engagement, because
Gabrielle said that ring was extrava-
CANT.
"John," she cried now. "why-oh,
you shouldn't"
But l should" / persisted. BE
sides, doubt If betrothals are legal
without rings"
II love pearls" said Gabrielle, but
there was little quicker 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 a
diamond.
mo, wouldn't" she said positively
when l said So Really, 1 wouldn't.
But was wondering
Wondering whatl" demanded 1, pal
plating.
Everybody will have to know now"
the truth came. Everybody will see 1t
on my finger"
WELL" said In relief, that's what
l want"
mot right away-you know we said
not right away" said Gabrielle hastily.
1 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.
"Ill tell you" she solved the matter
brightly, when we go to places I
won't wear 1t on this fnger-for little
while, you know, John. I'll just wear
1t on this finger-for u.s."
Gabrielle was never SO alluring, but /
hardened my heart.
80" said, without looking at her,
"the 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 it wasn't" flashed Gabri-
ellie. You are insanely suspicious,
John. Algernon Phelpsw she finished
HE is quite old enough to be my ia
ther.'
He isn't old enough not 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 those
two months, despite the fact that 1 had
bitterly resented the continual presence
of big, devoted Mr. Algernon Phelps at
their house, / had resolutely concealed
it.
"John," she cried, ''how ridiculous!
He is mothers friend"
And in love with you," 1 grimly
supplemented
Gabrielle laughed-a ringing, adora-
BILE little laugh that made me wish our
engagement had never come between
us. We were perfectly happy before
we were engaged.
That's very funny" said Gabrielle
frankly. HE has given me presents
since l was six. However, that isn't
the point. I'll wear the ring on the
right finger-I mean on the right left
6nger-really l will, dear. I'll wear 1t
to the Holdons' tonight"
"Will you, sweetheart" said /, paci-
fed, ''and will you want to, Gabrielle 2"
"Of course I want to wear 1t with
all my heart" she said simply.
She spread her two little hands on
her blue muslin gown and looked at
them. and then l caught sight of the
other ring She wore on her right
hand a magnifcently carved bit Of
gold. set with three exquisite white
sapphires.
"Gabriellew cried. where
moving her hands
Mr.. Phelps bought 1t this morning."
she said. I've been waiting for you
to notice it."
/ sank to the depths of despair. 1t
was not only that the ring was far
more beautiful than the little circlet of
pearls that had selected, but it 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
ut is" said l shortly.
Gabrielle looked first at one ring
and then at the other, with charming
Partially.
Two new rings" she said musingly.
Won't the girls envy me! What q
pity that will have to wear gloves at
the Holdons' tonightw
"Gabriellew / cried. Surely you
will never wear both rings today Of all
daysT
"Why notF' 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 well object to my wearing my
baby locket that he gave me when 4
was In pigtails. It's 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 l was six" matter
could not much longer be tolerated. No
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
came bearing presents to her when she
was six. And this final white sapphire
indignity was not to be borne.
Gabrielle" | said, In what I be-
Iieved to be my sternest though most
reasonable tone, 81 cannot believe that
you will be guilty of the-the bad taste
of wearing both those rings tonight,
and / particularly wish you not to do
So"
Gabrielle thought for moment, and
then she laughed and then her pretty
lips set themselves in an unmistakable
line, and her eyes met mine fairly.
John" she said, II won't let you be
SO stupid. Don't you see-you dear,
silly thingT" She laughed most heart
lessly. IL wouldn't wear anybody else's
ring with yours-but his"
As-lf that was extenuation. Matters
were now twice as bad rose, 1t be-
ing very nearly dinner time anyway. I
looked down at Gabrielle.
THAT Is just it," said l, with for
mality. HE is the exception to every
thing. l am wretched over this mans
continual presence here, Gabrielle, and
l ask you not to wear his ring tonight
with mine Leave one or the other at
home, whichever you prefer"
AS 1 stalked down the veranda steps
l carried with me picture Of Ga
brielle's bewitching, petulant face look
ing up at me In hurt surprise.
tits the dearest ring, john" she
called penitently, the pearl one. Ours.
Thank you, DEAR"
Then as turned ready to take her In