Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-07-14

pose, looked about for a means OF
compulsion when she saw he hung
fire ike a bad squib.
10 her friend, 4 am getting en-
gagged"
If Timothy had proposed Blanche
could not have been more surprised.
for she never knew even that Jane
was in love with anyone; had never.
in fact, regarded her as a marrying
girl.
Engaged" she repeated.
Yes Why nCt9"
"", no is the young man, dear?
Blanche asked. after bestowing the
usual congratulations.
All said Jane, that's telling!
A secret, my dear blanche. No
when Blanche pouted-'T can't tell
even you, ] am not even going 10
i say word to Pa or Ma. or an one
not Yet. But ] want You to do
me a favor dear, must have an
management ring, and"
They'll know at once If YOU wear
k interrupted Blanche.
You silly I 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 1T isn't kind of you to
try and find out my secret"
Very well. dearie, won't
ISull, she was convinced that Cecil
Groves was he. What do you want
me to do?"
Buy my engagement ring
The suggestion took Blanche's
breath away; she stood aghast at it.
"But-but didn't ne send it? Can't
cant you buy il 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 ct
my finger"
"Ah. | forgot that"
And I want to do Tim good
turn by buying a. his shop" Jane
continued.
What! Why, he'll think I'm
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
he does? 1t doesn't matter Bit to
him"
Z Yon-you-when shall buy it?'
, Tomorrow morning want to
t have my photo taken with it on to
send out to him answered Jane.
r Here's the money; he sen, me it.
twenty pounds. Halfhoops dia.
/ monds,' handing her hanllnote.
i Let me see she went on as she
T. held Blanche's fingers. my finger
is a bit smaller than yours Don't
be afraid to try it; and. above an
, not whisper to soul"
They parted. When Timothy came
/ in that evening to his supper it was
; with very long face for Blanche
e had not seen him, and he felt par
u ticularly blue. be'au this was the
i evening when he told himself he real
j. ly had made up his mind to do OF
e die.
Heard the news, Tim?' Jane
whispered as he sat down al the
!, table. Blanche is engaged
$ ''Eh? You--no--" Then he rose
Z from his seat and went TO his room,
He did not lecture his counterpart
! had happened. How he passed that
d that night. What he had expected
j agonizing night he never knew, and
s when he went 10 his shop in the
= morning Il was with pale face,
i tired eyes and a sick heart Before
L he left he had tried to find his sis
T. ter TO learn something further, but
IS she had gone before him
N He was behind the counter where
W on, under glass cases, glittering ar
!, ray on 1cWefFE maze one enNious
~ when at eleven O'Clock Blanche her
Il self came III.
If Il want 10 see some engagement
z rings Mr. Green" she said
Ie He smiled a sickly smile. and hop
o. ed she was better.
quite, thank you" And, In an
n swer to question as to price, men
20 toned twenty pounds.
h With heart beating twice It's
t. usual rate, he placed tray on The
S counter before her. She picked on'
II out that seemed to he the size /
re was TOO large; the next too small
The third she was looking at wher
O Timothy spoke
- Il suppose ! ought to congratu
le late you Miss Meredith he said
a somewhat huskily.
IL What for?' she inquired
Or "On your engagement
* She was glad he had not asked
.r direct question