The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-03-26

near you. There's not a silver tint in
your makeup. You're all creams and
browns, with gold limiting everywhere,
from your dear words to the little gol-
den god that leaps in your eye when
your heart beats high"
Poetry" she exclaimed laughingly;
but hushed, for he had opened a tiny
box.
Diamonds are for you, dearest, II sill
yer is not" He reached for her hand.
I'm sorry the gem is so small. Some
day you shall have larger ones, and
many, like my mother; and" He
stopped suddenly, for Stella's face was
troubled: and she put her hand behind
her. Sweetheart! What's the mat
ter?"
ooh, my dear. I'm afraid of the
ring!" she said TREMENDOUSLY.
Why. Stclal What do you mean.
dear heart? You take the pearls and
khe combs" Alfred had easily fallen
into the custom OF the time and coun-
try in his purchase of jewelry for
Stella.
"Oh, yes. But the ring opens the
door to our heaven and lets the public
In. Uncle Billy might give me orna-
ments or other things to wear; or Gid
con might; but the ring-only you
could give me that. And-they will
ali know. l."
Are you ashamed of me. Stellar"
he interrupted, his voice touched with
sternness as well as with wounded feel.
ing.
mo, no, no! But don't you see?
Women will nudge me. and ask when
1t is to be. and who is the lucky man.
joke me unbearably. Men will, too.
And you won't be here TOTO help me.
Oh, don't you see?" she pleaded.
He put the ring in the box, Yes, l
think | a see" he said duly: you
wish no pledge between u.s."
"Oh, Alfred, are you forgetting what
we said that night when you were
Romeo. / juliet? Is there anything
any article in this whole round world
that can hold our hearts closer?' She
held out a timid hand. I'D like to
keep your ring. II l may, out of sight
till-till-"
It'll we're married? Then it. won't
be an engagementring
Must others see 1t TO make ii an
engagement ring?" She held up a slim
finger. THE day you say, Come here
1t shall be. Till then. please tell no
one"
"
Alfred softened. He had been re-
PEELED by the eagerness with which
some OF the western women he had
met paraded that which Stella would
screen with the curtains of her heart.
There was real satisfaction In his face
when he spoke again.
Il believe you're right, m~avourneen,"
he said. tenderness returning. do
as you wish with the little ~circlet."
She drew from beneath her collar a
gold chain and locket. my mother
died before l can remember; this is
her picture. Father gave 1t to me the
day was 16. She opened the case,
disclosing a sweet face. and Alfred
bent to look at 1t.
You are like her, but larger, more
alive He looked up quickly. Your
mother was-was-there's a heartache
in her face"
You see 1t, too?" she whispered.
Il know father cherished her memory,
yet he would never tell me of her. less
Of himself. And sOmeway I've always
felt that she was very unhappy Stel-
la closed the case softly. Il love her
dear face; and beside it your ring
shall stay. Day and night I'll think Of
II, and Of you. I'll call 1t a love-token, !
not q pledge. my"
A rustic near the door banished the
intimate moment. Alfred dropped her
hand and lowered his tone. Dearest,
cant control my time. Mr., Croker
has requested me--that's a command
Of c~ourse--to show Miss Hamilton
about, amuse her TIL we return
WEI questioned Stella wistfully,
dropping pearls and combs into her