The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-06-04
ELIZABETH'S DIAMONDS.

didn't think that it mattered. After
wards, | found that it did. So I settled
TO 90 away before / made fool of my
self. She wasn't the sort of girl to give
herself away, and | wasn't the sort OF
fellow to ask her to.
[ thought / might as well have a good
time I'll l went. So | met her as often
as [ could. I didn't tell her that l was
going till the last night, for fear she
might ask questions. Then l mentioned
it casually when we were sitting out a
dance. She was wearing some pink
roses that had sent her, and she looked
how | thought I should remember.
thought [ should remember the waltz
that the band was playing too.
by the way, Miss Elizabeth" I said.
"I'm going abroad tomorrow"
She raised her eyebrows ever so little
"Bv the wav." she Knocked, when are
you coming back?"
'I'm not coming back told her.
"Why?" she asked. She spoke as if
she only inquired because she was
obliged to. l felt bit sore.
Il gather that my doings don't inter
est you,' / said shortly.
She brushed her hair back with one
hand, and gave me one of her sharp
looks. She and her father always made
me feel as if they could see through a
brick wall.
"And | gather that mine interest you"
she retorted She shut her mouth with
a snap-just like old Smith does-and
fixed me with her eys; and knew that
we'd got to have it out. So I did not
beat about the bush.
eyes" | owned; that's it,
She looked across the conservatory
and moved her lips in and outfits an
other trick of her father. Then she
turned to me and flushed a little. I'd
never seen her do that before.
"You needn't co. she told me.
/ caught my breath and felt as if the
world were turning too fast for me.
'You don't mean that you-that you
care for-for a fellow like me, Eliza
beth?" 1 said.
She made funny little sound in her
throat.
Il mean that" she declared. 81 don't
suppose l would if I could help it, but l
can't" She touched my arm quickly.
Il can't!"
"When 1 CO." 1 said, "and it isn't be-
cause l don't care Tot, dear girl, but
because 1 do-you'll be able to help it. y
you're not going" she said in her
positive way-like old man Smith. Il
want you!"
Don't tempt fellow beyond endur-
ance,'' l begged. "I-I oughtn't to have
told you, but-I'm not clever like you
are, dear girl; and I thought you didr't
care, and-it's goodbye, and-and God
bless you, Elizabeth"
| rose; but she rose too, and put her
arm through mine, and 1 lost my senses
for a few moments. Then [ held her at
arms length.
you're not so sensible as I thought,
Elizabeth" I said.
Pm sensible enough to know what I
want" she assured me. Il generally get
it. You ask father if I DON'T"
I groaned at the mention of her father.
''There'll be an awful row if l ask
him." | said
"There'll be worse row If you don't, .
she declared, with toss of her head.
So I told him, and there was a ow.
He called me everything under the sum-
and refused his consent fatty and final
w. When ! told Elizabeth she marched
me back to him, and informed him that
we could do without his consent; and lie
Informed her that, in that case, we
coald do without his money, for he
wouldn't give her penny. He repeated
the statement several times in a very
forcible manner.
give said it," he concluded, banging
his fist on the table, "and you've never
"And I've said that I will marry him. -
known me to break mine"
They stared at each other for full
minute. The curious thing was that
they looked just alike, though one was a
plain old man, and the other good
looking young girl.
'Well,'' said Elizabeth at last, eve
needn't be bad friends about it. Don't
give your unbreakable word to do any
thing else that you'll be sorry for, dad
The old man grinned at her with -
kind of grudging admiration.
NO." he agreed. mo. We won't be
bad friends, Elizabeth. I've given you
your choice between him and my money.
It's fair offer, and neither of us can
complain"
tits a fair offer,' Elizabeth agreed,
"and sha'n't complain"
"The moneys good money the old
man remarked, "and I made it for you.
The mans fool, or "a No, I'll give
him his due-he's fool!'
"Ah!" said Elizabeth. "But I'm not,
dad! I'll have the good man! I'll
have the good money, too, if you don't
mind. Come along, George" We went
Look here, dear girl" I said, when
we were out of the room. "Your fathers
right. 1 mustn't let you marry me-"
Elizabeth faced me sGuarely Her OBJ
stinate little chin stuck out, just like
her fathers.
eff you don't" she said, II viii 90
away and never touch lis money. That's
my unbreakabie word. And Pill
elizabeth" I interrupted, "don't give
yo:r rrbreakable word to do anything
M re that you'll DC sorry for. You.
sha'n't be sorrier than I can help, deai
girl we shall be poor. hut"
indeed we shan't!" she declared.
"yVe're going to nav, that money. It's
mine really, and he'd rather me have il:
and / like money"
He'll Lever give it to you," / warnel
her.
"Of course not. I shall have to get it
out of him in square business deal
a deal in diamonds"
'Diamondsl' - laughed. You're pref
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