The daily Alaskan., 1908-11-16
oooOoOoOoOoO0oOoOo0oUoUG A GIRL ana
 A RING.
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
 Literary Press.

6o0o0o0o0oOoGOoOo0oOoOoOoG
 q will ride Black Dan, Jenkins" i" said Peggy calmly.
 "Yes, miss," replied Jenkins, disap. bearing In the direction of the stables.
 Holcomb drowned and prepared to follow in the wake of the groom.
 "Of course you know you can't ride Black Dan, Peggy" he said inpatient ly. He has thrown you twice, and l have said no woman shall mount him again. Any other horse in the sta bles"--
 "Thank you," said Peggy coldly. "I don't care to ride any other horse. You are such an old granny, Bob!"
 Shall l order Pretty Glrlf" asked Holcomb patiently.
 "No. I have ordered Black Dan," she replied defantly.
 T must countermand the order Peg gy. No woman shall ride him with my permission" said Bob stifly.
 Peggy's eyes flashed ominously, and her pretty lips stilrened Into a straight line. If you countermand my order, Bob Holcomb," she flashed angrily, you may"- She choked back little sob.
 "What?
 You may keep the ring you were going to give me-" finished Peggy re- morselessly.
 Do you mean it?n he asked, coming closer to her and looking down into her wide gray eyes.
 Yes said Peggy hardly.
 Holcomb turned away with little droop of his broad shoulders. Never theless, Peggy, I must countermand the order" he said gravely. Then he went down the steps and disappeared through the stable gateway.
 Peggy Linwood stared after him with hot cheeks and flashing eyes, Her little brown hands frightened their grasp on tue arms of the low chair. I'm very glad I broke 1t or, she thought mechanically. Fancy being married to q man with such a nasty temper as Bob Holcomb! What, fool was to fall In love with himw
 She sped upstairs to the chlutz sit ting room, where her mother sat be- fore a cozy fire. "MOther, dear, let us go home at ouce" she began abruptly. q can't stay in Bob HolcOmbs house another minutew She sank breath lessly on the couch.
 Mrs. LinwoOd adjusted her glasses and looked QuIzzically at her daugh- ter. We mustn't spoil Bob's house party, dear" she said mildly. "I told him we would stay until Monday, and we must do so. Have you Quarreled with him, Peggy?'
 Yes" said Peggy shortly.
 What about? Was 1t worth whileT'
 I'd rather not ten, mother" admit ted Peggy guiltly.
 "Oh, wellw Mrs. LlnwOOd smiled furtvely into her book. If l were go- ing to quarrel, Peggy, dear, wouldn't wear that brown dress You know 1t Is 80 unbecoming, and when a woman dlsagrees with man she should wear her prettiest frock. Now, the blue linen"-
 But Peggy had flown out of the room and was anxiOusly surveying herself in the cheyal glass ln her own pretty apartment Mothers right" she sighed miserably. q look a fright in this frock. It's too late to pretty up very much. but-where is the blue linen"
 
 Late that afternoon Peggy encoun- tered Bess Dane sauntering across the lawn under the shade of century old elms.
 Congratulate me, Peggy, dear," au- nounced Bess, airily extending a slim hand.
 Peggy gasped.
 Not Frederic2 Bess, dear"-
 Not Frederic" interrupted Miss Dane coolly. Guess again, Peg, and in the meantime admire my ring. Isn't 1t the sweetest ever"
 Such an odd ring 1t was too. h. numerable small diamonds formed the petals of a daisy, with blazing topaz for the yellow center Peggy looked at 1t with wildly beating heart.
 It's more suitable for you, Peg, be- cause it's a marguerite. Nevertheless 1t suits your humble servant right down to the ground, as the poet has It." Miss Dane sighed complacently us she seated herself on the grass.
 Come, sit down, Peg, and discuss the details" she coaxed. You will be maid of honor, of cOurse'
 "Of course, Bess," murmured Peggy mlserably, "when-when"-
 Don't say when again" admonish- ed Bess mildly. "Ill tell you when l know. Bob hasn't even asked me to name the day. There were other and more important matters to go over," she blushed warmly. But you and I can talk about the frocks and the wedding and-about Bob himself"