Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-10-17
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|, "A GIRL ano
! A RING;
By CLARISSA MAcKiE.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press

81 viii ride Black Dan. Jenkins"
said Peggy calmly.
Yes. miss" replied jenkins. dlsap.
pearing in the direction of the stables
IIolcomb frowned and prepared TO
follow In the wake of the groom
"Of course you know you can't ride
Black Dan. Peggy" he said impatient
~. lie has thrown you twice. and
have said no woman shall mount him
again. Any other horse In the sta
hlrs"-
THANK you" said Peggy coldly. II
don't care to ride any other horse. You
are such an ola granny. Bob"
shall order Pretty Girl" asked
llolcomb patiently.
NO | have ordered Black Dan"
she replied dehantly.
Il must countcrmand the order. Peg
gy No woman shall ride him with my
permission" said Bon stifIly
Pcggy's eyes flashed omlnously. and
her pretty lips stifrencd into straight
line III YOU couniermand my order,
Bob Ilolcomb." she flashed angrily.
YOU may" She choked back little
sob
"WhatT'
You may keep the ring you were
going TO give me-" finished Peggy re-
morS2lessly
do you mean IT." he asked coming
closer 20 her ana looking down into her
wide gray eyes.
Yes" said Peggy hardly
IIolcomh turned away with Il little
droop of his broad shoulders Newer
thces,. Peggy. must countermand
the order" lac said gravcly Then he
went down the steps and disappeared
through the stable gateway
Peggy I.inwood stared after him
with hot cheeks and hashlng eyes
Her little brown hands frightened their
grasp on the arms of the low chair.
I'm very glad broke ii or" she
thought mechanically Fancy being
married TO 4 man with such nasty
temper as Rob iIolcomh. What a fool
| was To fall In love with him"
She sped upstairs to the chnlz sit
liIE IOOIii4 NilfIt ltI HNtitlti SAT- ~
fore II coy fire Mother dear. let us
go home at once" she began abruptly.
II can't stay In Bob Uolcomb's house
another minute" She sank breath
leSsy on the couch.
Mrs. Llnwood adjusted her glasses
and looked quizzically at her daugh-
ter. We mustn't spoil Bob's house
party. dear" she said mildly Il 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 tell. mother" admit
ted Peggy guilty.
"Oh. we'll" Mrs. Linwood smiled
furtively into her book If were go-
Ing to quarrel Peggy. dear. | wouldn't
wear that brown dress You know It
is SO unbecoming. aud when "a woman
disagrces with man She should wear
her prcttiest frock Now. the blue
linen
But Peggy had flown out OF the
room and was anxiously surveying
herself in the cheval glass In her own
pretty apartment Mothers right"
She sighed miscrably. Il look fright
III this frock. It's too late To pretty
up very much. but where is the blue
linen
Late that afternoon Peggy encoun-
tered liess Dane sauntering across the
lawn under the shade Of century old
elns.
Congratulate me. Peggy. dear" an
nounced Bess. airlly extending slim
hand.
Peggy gasped.
Not Frederic? Bess. dear
Not Frederic" interrupted Miss
Dane coolly. Guess again. Peg. and
IN the meantime admire my ring. Isn't
II the sweetest ever
Such an odd ring # was too In
Vulnerable small diamonds formed the
petals OF daisy. with II blazing topaz
for the yellow center Peggy looked
ut It with wildly beating heart.
It's more suitable for you. Peg. be-
NsAHNN AZ ~ hNA Nv 49,
It suits your humble servant right
down TO the ground. as the poet has
It," Miss Dane sighed complacently
rs 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." murmurcd Peggy
miserably. when when
Don't say when again, admonish-
ed Bcss mildly. IN tell you when
know Bob hasn't even asked me 10
name the day There were other and
more important matters To 20 over"
she blushed warmly But you and
| can talk about the frocks and the
wedding and about Bob himself"
Il didn't even suspect" said Peggy
humbly as she nibbled blade Of
grass.
"\o oua ausnects IL will not be an