Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-07-15


when Blanche pouted-"I can't tell
even you, am not even going to
say a word to Pa or Ma, or anyone
NOT yet. But l want you to do
me a favor, dear, I must have an
engagement ring, and"
They'll know at once if YOU wear
it," interrupted Blanche.
You silly! l shall only wear it
when I'm out alone, or when | am
in my room" was the answer. It'll
be so nice, won't it?"
Hasn't he given it to you?
No. You see, he's away-in South
Africa"
''Why, it's Cecil Groves!" Blanche
declared, laughing and clapping her
hands.
Il didn't say So" said Jane, re
provingly. ct isn't kind of you to
try and find out my secret!"
Very well dearie, I won't !"
Still, she was convinced that Cecil
Groves was he. What do you want
me to do?"
LhS NY Gig dSSueuL ring.
The suggestion took Blanche's
breath away; she stood aghast at it.
''But-but didn't he send it? Can't
cant you buy it YOURSELF" she
asked.
Just as if they had engagement
rings in South Africa!" said Jane.
He couldn't buy one out there, be-
cause he doesn't know the size of
my finger"
"Ah, I forgot that"
And I want to do Tim good
turn by buying at his shop" Jane
continued
What! Why, he'll think Tn
buying it for-for myself" Blanche
gasped. "That someone else has
proposed" She stopped short and
could have bitten her tongue off
NONSENSE" cried Jane. And if
ne does? 1t doesn't matter a bit to
him"
'You-you-When shall | buy it?'
tomorrow morning. | want to
have my photo taken with it on to
send out to him" answered Jane.
Here's the money; he sent me it.
twenty pounds. Half-hoops, dia-
monds, handing her a banknote.
Let me see," she went on as she
held Blanche's fingers. my finger
is bit smaller than yours. Don't
be afraid to try it; and, above all,
uvhi RI
They parted. wAsa Timothy came
in that evening TO his supper it was
with 2 very long face for Blanche
had not seen him, and he felt par
ticularly blue, because this was the
evening when he told himself he real
! ly had made up his mind to do or
die.
Heard the news, Tim?" Jane
whispered as he sat down at the
table. Blanche is engaged"
'"Eh? YOu-no-" Then he rose
from his seat and went to his room
He did not lecture his counterpart
had happened. How he passed that
that night. What he had expected
agonizing night he never knew, and
when he went to his shop in the
morning it was with a pale face,
tired eyes and a sick heart. Before
he left he had tried to find his sis
>er to learn something further, bat
she had gone before him.
He was behind the counter where
on, under glass cases, a glittering ar
ray of jewelry made one envious,
when at eleven O'Clock Blanche her
self came in.
Il want to see some engagement
rings, Mr.. Green" she said.
He smiled sickly smile and hop
ed she was better.
quite, thank you" And, in an
swer to a question as to price, men
toned twenty pounds.
With a heart beating twice it's
usual rate, he placed a tray on the
counter before her. She picked one
out that seemed to be the size 1t
was too large; the next too small
the third she was looking at when
| Timothy spoke:
/ ohppOoS ought " CoH5 dLu-
late you Miss Meredith" he said
somewhat huskily.
What for?" she inquired.
con your engagement"
She was glad he had not asked a
direct question.
| ooh, no; it's not-that is"
mot yourself?"
She shook her head, and he gave
la sigh of relief
ALLOW me-" ne said, taking her
hand: that seems to be about the
it," az he passed the ring on her
finger.
ut looks lovely!" she said. "But
it's little tight. II cant get it
off,"
He took her fingers in his.
| Don't. Don't. Would you not
like it to stay there, Blanche?' he
asked. BE my wife. | love youi"
And, just as she said yes" Jane
came into the shop in a hurry
Don't trouble about that ring
dear" she said. 81 shan't get en-
gagged, after all" adding. under ner
breath, Il knew that all Tim wanted
was helping hand"
Divided Honors.