Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-01-07

whether hauteur or tlmidity prompt
ed the brevity OF the communication
and caused her to withhold her name.
In memory he studied her face, an
alyzing the delicate features, recalling
the clear, direct, yet half-shy glance
of those deep blue eyes, the long child
ish lashes, and all the tender contours
-timidity. of course. He admitted now
that he had accredited the little cir
clet as a possible ambassador, and
laughed mirthlessly as he twisted the
ring on his own smallest digit, but he
decided to carry it always.
Perhaps, in possession of her name,
he might, after the manner of men,
have forgotten all about her. AS it
was, he remembered. At first he was
always expecting to meet her Again
and again he thought he had a
glimpse of her on some crowded
street; but just as often the tailorclad
figure eluded him. Once he followed
into florists shop. determined to
bride the saleswoman, should the shy
quarry vanish again; but the tailored
maiden with the wellset shoulders
chose a shaggy chrysanthemum and
fastened II in her furs as she turned
velvety brown glance inquiringly
upon his eager gaze. He hastily pur-
chased the violets for an amazed
debutante who did not expect them,
and threw the gushing note of thanks,
when 1t came, into the fire with an
unnecessary scowl for he remembered
suddenly with a pang the simple little
Thank you so much" girl whose
name he did not know was despot
ically ruling his ideals.
Another winter and summer had
| ried the little pearl When he thought
Of it at all it was with a feeling half
| sad, half resentful. Somewhere this
| girl with the wonderful blue eyes was
| living her life without him, loving and
being loved. II he found her it would
be too late.
But he was possessed of a married
sister who dragged him out on all
possible occasions, and on some which
Marston pronounced impossible.
"A tea-a teal" he fumed. I'D
rather"
Yes, l know" she cut in, prompt
ly. But you must come to this one
l simply will not accept any excuse
It's for Miss Stacy, you know. She Is
going to marry Jack. and you must
meet her"
"Oh.' said Marston, plaintively. 1--WE
met Jack-won't that do?"
Paul, you are a good boy after
ALL" said little Mrs. HOLSTER, when
he found her In the midst of the
crush. "As reward of merit I'll in.
troduce you to Miss Stacy-oh, you
know each other already? Why didn't
you tell me?"
The question was reproachful; but
other people demanded attention from
the hostess and Paul was gazing into
the bluest, bluest eyes in the world
eyes that had haunted his dreams for
year And she was going to marry
Jack! Had he not said II would be
too late? He never knew quite what
words he uttered, or whether he man
aged decent appearance as he took
her hand. He noted the long uncurl-
ing lashes on the cheek, rosy now
Jacks fiancee!
Later when the crowd was thin
ming, he found himself moving with
the girl toward the open fireplace. In
the comparative isolation he turned,
and, taking the little girlish circlet
from his pocket, let il rest for a mo-
| In
This is all have had of you for a
year." he said, almost without his own
volition.
All" echoed the girl, laughing, but
little startled, 1T was enough, wasn't
it? Why, it's my pearl ring Where
did you get it?' she questioned, the
deep blue eyes opening on him In
amaZement.
'In the right-hand pocket of my
coat. You might have given me a
chance-to return 1t. You can wear
it now, with your wedding ring and
Jacks diamond" he ended, with a
touch of bitterness.
"Can-can wear it with" she fall
tered, when"
"Good-by, Miss Stacy" chorused a
group in the hall to vanishing blue
figure; and the girl with the ring in
her open hand stirred not
Miss Stacy" he whispered, wonder
ingly. Then - aren't they calling
your"
Il believe you did not meet my
cousin" she answered she was
summoned to the telephone just as
! you came in" And then she finished,
with bit Of the old demure shyness:
She was the guest of honor"
What" he almost shouted Then
she is engaged to Jack Not you!"
mo, indeed; that is Constance
Stacy. / am only Stacy" she paused
with the first little touch OF coquetry
he had seen in her. You do not know
my name yet" she whispered.
mo-" he answered, slowly; mo,
don't know what II is now, the color
deepened on her cheek as his hand.
unseen. closed over hers-"but | know
what 1t is going to be-"
Its Meaning.
i No.,