Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-07-08

her mind that Timothy should pro
pose, looked about for a means OF
compulsion when she saw he hung
fire like a bad sQuib
blanche she said, one evening,
to her friend, 4 am getting en-
gagged"
If Timothy had proposed Blanche
could no 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 not?"
who is the young man, dear.
Blanche asked after bestowing the
usual congratulations.
All said Jane. that's telling.
4 secret, my dear Blanche. No
when Blanche pouted-"I can't tell
even you, l am not even going to
say a word to Pa or Ma, or anyone
not yet. But I want YOU to do
me favor dear. l must have an
engagement ring, and"
"They'n 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. "ItI
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 dfdn'a say So said Jane. re
proyingIy. 1t isn't kind Of you to
try and find out my secret"
Very well dearfe, I won't.
Still, she was convinced that Cecil
Groves was he. what do YOU want
me to do?"
BUY my engagement ring"
The suggestion took BIanches
breath away; she stood aghast at it.
'But-but didn't he send it? Can't
cant you buy it yourseIf?" 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 finge:"
"Ah, I forgot that"
And want to do Tim a good
turn by buying at 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? it doesn't matter BIZ 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, Ola
lnCnds" handing her banknote.
Let me see" she went on as she
held Blanche's fingers. my finger
is a bit smaller than yours. Don't
be afraid to try it; and, above all.
not whisper to a soul"
They parted. When Timothy came
IN that evening to his supper it was
with vely long face for Blanche
had not seen him, and he felt par
-icularly 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 eeat and went 20 his room.
He did rot lecture his counterpart
had happened. How he passed that
that nigh. What he had expected
agonlzing 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
ne left he had tried to find his sis
-er to learn something further, but
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