The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-03
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
A GIRL AND A RING.
~ Clarissa Mackie.

81 will ride Black Dan, Jenkins"
said Peggy, calmly.
Eyes. miss" replied Jenkins, disap-
Pearing in the direction of the stables
Holcomb frowned and prepared to
follow in the wake of the groom.
"Of course, you know you can't ride
Black Dan, Peggy" he said impatient
ly. He has thrown you twice, and
have said no woman shall mount him
again. Any other horse in the sta
BILE"
Thank YOU" said Peggy, coldly; 81
don't care to ride any other horse
You are suct an old granny, Bob"
Shall J order Pretty GirlT' asked
Holcomf, patiently.
mo L have ordered Black DAN"
she replied defiantly.
must countermand the order, Peg
gy; no woman shall ride him with my
permission" said Bob, stiffly.
IF you countermand my order, Bob
Holcomb," she flashed angrily, you
may" she choked back little Sob
WHAT"
you may keep the ring you were
going TO give me-" finished Peggy re-
Dorselessly.
do you mean it." he asked, coming
closer to her and looking down into
her wide gray eyes.
Yes" said Peggy, hardly.
Holcomb turned away with a little
droop OF his broad shoulders. Never
theless-PeGgy-I must countermand
the order" he said gravely. Then he
went down the steps and disappeared
through the stable gateway.
Peggy Linwood stared after him with
hot cheeks and flashing eyes.
I'm very glad i broke it off," she
thought mechanically; fancy being
married to a man with such a nasty
temper as Bob Holcombi What a fool
j was TO fall in love with HIM"
She sped upstairs to the chintz sit
ting room, where her mother sat be-
, fore a coy IRE. Mother, dear, LET us
II can't stay in Bob Holcomb's house
another mniutei"
Mrs. Linwood. adjusted her glasses
and looked quizZically at her daugh-
ter. I'VE mustn't spoil Bob's house
party, dear" she said mildly; Il told
him we should stay until Monday and
we must do so. Have you quarreled
with him, PeggyT
yes" said Peggy, shortly.
What about? Was 1t worth while?''
I'D rather not tell, mother" admit
ted Peggy guiltily.
20, Welt" Mrs. Linwood smiled fur
lively into her book. "It were going
to quarrel, Peggy, dear, l wouldn't
Wear the brown dress! You know Ii
is so> unbecoming and when a woman
disagrees with q man she should wear
her prettiest frCSk, Now the blue
linen" -.
But Peggy had flown out of the room
and was anxiously surveying herself IN
the cheval glass in her own pretty
apartment. Mothers right" she sigh
ed miserably; 81 look a fright in this
frock; it's too late to pretty up very
much, but-where is the blue linen?"
Late that afternoon Peggy encoun-
tered Bess Dane sauntering across the
lawn under the shade of century-old
elms.
Congratulate me, Peggy, DEAR" an
nounced Bess, airily extending a slim
hand.
mot Frederic? Bess, dear"
mot Frederic" interrupted Miss
Dane, coolly; guess again, Peg, and
in the meantime admire my ring. Isn't
it the sweetest ever?"
Such an odd ring it was, too; in
Vulnerable small diamonds formed the
petals Of a daisy with blazing topaz
for the yellow center. Peggy looked
at it with wildly beating heart
Its more suitable for you, Peg, be-
cause it's marguerite nevertheless,
1t suits your humble servant right
down to the ground-as the poet has
it." Miss Dane sighed complacently, as
she seated herself on the grass.
Come, sit down, Peg, and discuss
the Details" she coaxed. "You will be
maid Of honor, OF Counsel"
-"Of course, Bess." murmured Peggy,