The Huttig news. (Huttig, Ark.) 1907-1955, 1908-05-09


near you. There's. not 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 If 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?''
"Oh, my dear, I'm afraid of the
ring," she said TREMENDOUSLY.
why, Stellai What do you mean
dear heart? You take the pearls and
the 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 let's 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
all know. +"
Are you ashamed of me, Stellar"
he interrupted, his voice touched with
sternness as we'll as with wounded feel
Ing.
NO. no, no! But don't you see?
Women will nudge me, and ask when
it 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, I
think l can 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 timid hand I'D like to
keep your ring, if l may, out of sight
till-till-'
Till we're married? Then 1t won't
be an engagement ring,"
Must others see it to make 1t 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, mavourneen,"
he said, tenderness returning. do
as you. wish with the little cirelet'
She drew from beneath her collar a
gold chain and locket. My mother
died before | can remember this is
her picture. Father gave it to me the
day l was Is. =" 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 heartache
in her face"
you see it, 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. 81 love her
dear face; and beside it your ring
shall stay. Day and night I'll think Of
1t, and of you. I'll call it love-token,
not pledge, my"
A rustic near the door banished the
intimate moment. Alfred dropped her
hand and lowered his tone. Dearest,
| can't control my time. Mr.. Croker
has requested me--that's command
of course-to show Miss Hamilton
about, amuse her till we return"