Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1908-11-12
sonl J very arrassed. but very

not only very emba ARA ssed. but very |.
nervous.
50 twas q relief when dinner was iinal-s
~ served. Suddenly. glancing up, Mn-
#riel noticed the steward talking to the
man across from her. He was evil
IDENTITY. BY his gestures. talking about
the bread In the center Of the table. !.
She overheard him say. Il thought you
were together, so brought the bread
on one plate to which the man smil-
ingly replied: 1T doesn't matter. It |
will be all right. 8
For some time neither Muriel nor the |
man opposite deigned TO take any |
bread. Then suddenly. as IL by one
Impulse. each reached for the same
roll, and each as suddenly Withdrew
empty handed.
lmmed iately. with very flattering gal
lantry, the man passed the bread to
Muriel. and she, not to be outdone Ia
courtesy, took the roll OF combat, :
broke II and offered her table compan-
ion half 8
An hour or so later IN her state
room Muriel lay crying her pretty eyes
out, whether from an overflow Of hap
piness or because Of regret for her past
Stiffness she could not for the life Of
her have told. when she heard knock
y at the stateroom door.
Who Is it 2" she called cautiously.
Steward, miss. ! have message
for you. Z
Turin1 +onl, Az, ~ vol,,,o z ~ y,,,ol-n
it open with haste. her heart humping
tumultuously as she read: s
Dearest knew perfectly well why you
wouldn't recognize me at the table. You
did not want to excite public curiosity or
criticism. and admired you for it. But
how wanted to hold your hand tight
whenever saw you tremble at the light
ming! But you were unspeakably sweet
in the way you let me know that we are
friends again and much, much more, dear
girl, / hope! S
gether can't we talk together too? It Is
full moon tonight. you know. In about
fifteen minutes / shall be strolling around
the upper deck and shall expect to find
you tucked away in a corner there some-
where Six weary months ago you gave
me the mitten, little Muriel. Come and
see now what have to offer in return.
THE SAME OLD TOM.
P. S.-By the bye, I'm on my way to
| visit with your mother. She and have
always been good chums. you know
heard you weren't to be at Cliffside this
summer, SO thought perhaps your moth
/ er might be bit lonesome. Queer she
didn't tell me you were coming!
1t was lucky that Tom had given
Muriel fifteen full minutes of grace in
which to obliterate somewhat the I'M
becoming traces Of her tears. She had
no sooner established herself comfort
ably in deck chair on the lee side Of
the pilothouse that Tom appeared idly
dangling by his side one long white
glove.
Muriel caught 1t instantly.
i .'Silly boyr' was her greeting. where
did you get it y
Tom stood smiling down at her rap
\ turously.
.Why, Of course, was watching you
when you lost it. Several Of US made q
scramble for it, and got it. knew
then my luck had changed"
"1And thought" Muriel told him.
crushing the glove in her hand. sit was
an omen Of misfortune. Why. what's
In it ~ she exclaimed suddenly. Il fee
something hardv'
4 And she began to Investigate eacl
finger. Tom sat down close beside hel
and watched her with absorbing ad
miration.
''Why. lists my engagement ring!
i gasped Muriel, shaking out the third
fngersof the glove isn't that funny
i hadn't had 1t on at all because
Then as she realized the unpleasant
4 truth she had stumbled upon and alst
how the ring had really come there she
looked up, at Tom and smiled her adora
ton.
Won't you put it on again. Tom
dear?'' she asked with very sweet hu
mility. ~