The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-04-02

near you. There's not a 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, II 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 tremulously.
why, Stella! What do you mean,
dear heart? You take the pearls and
the combs" Alfred had easily fallen
into the custom of the time and coGu-
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. L"
Are you ashamed OF me, Stellar"
he interrupted, his voice touched with
sternness as well 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,
think | can see,' he said duly; you
wish no pledge between US"
"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
uGIu Oul q lllIllu iihC "
keep your ring, if l may, out of sight
till-till-"
Till we're married? Then it won't
be an engagement ring!"
Must others see it to make it an
engagement ring?" She held up a slim
finger The day you say, Come here
it 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 ne spoke again.
Il believe you're right, mavourneen, 4"
he said, tenderness returning. DO
as you wish with the little circlet."
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 | was 10, She opened the case,
disclosing a sweet face, and Alfred
bent to look at it.
You are like her, but larger, more
alive" He looked up quickly. Your
mother was-was-there' heartache
in her face"
You see it, too?" she whispered,
Il know father cherished her memory
of himself And someway I've always
felt that she was very unhappy" Stel-
la closed the case softly u love her
dear face; and beside it your ring
shall stay Day and night I'll think Of
it, and of you. III call it loye-token,
not pledge, my"
A rustic near the door banished the
intimate moment Alfred dropped her
hand and lowered his tone. Dearest,
] cant control my time. Mr. Crocker
has requested me-thats a command
OF course-to show Miss Hamilton
about, amuse her till we return"
"We?" questioned Stella wistfully,
dropping pearls and combs into her
pocket.
Yes; | go back to Sacramento with
them tomorrow. To-day we are to go
over some of the grading, You must
20 with us, though shall have to pay
more attention to-"
"Oh, no! Don't ask me. I'd rather
stay"
Stella, ! want you to meet these
people, wish TO have them know you.
They are men you must know and
meet often, if-if our hopes come true.
Besides. Miss Hamilton is the only
woman; the others are officials and
capitalists Mr. Crocker is entertain
ing. II Will be much pleasanter for
her II you go VIII you?"
Stella hesitated. Not for the reason
that Alfred had asked her TO play
second fiddle" but because the vision
OF a small woman in neat travelling
garb following Sally b. upstairs did
not Increase Stella's confidence In her
self. A sudden feeling that she sus
peeted was resentment astonished her
She found herself angry because this
selfassured woman had invaded her
own domain. She took herself sharply
In hand. Was this the way she should
treat Alfred? Refuse his every re-
quest? '1'll go because you wish II,
Alfred" she said heartily.
Miss Hamilton entered, looking very