The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1910-12-03

sess."
She threw away the mutilsted
flower and slowly raised her ewes.
"Clyde,' she spoke in tremulous
tone, 81 know how dearly YOU love
me, and | appreciate the pains that
you have taken to make me happy
and, although l am going away, it
is not because l do not care for YOU
but for the reason that l have my
mind set on a career. l am awfully
sorry that l had TO return the ring
but under the circumstances it was
inevitable. Perhaps You will meet
in time a girl who will teach You tc
forget me-"
But don't YOU" he abruptly
ended, hearing approaching foot
steps.
Clyde released Irene's hand as a.
ragged tramp with a stubby heard.
hove in view, and, on coming abreast
Of the lovers, faced them and said
Excuse me, pal, for butting in,
but can you help a poor hungry man
to get something to eat? l haven't
tasted a bite in two days"
81 am sorry, my good fellow" re-
turned Clyde, after searching his
pockets, "but l haven't any change.
Here, take this" he added, as if.
struck with a sudden thought, offer
ing the box to the wanderer. 81
haven't any further use for it and
you can probably sell it for a tidy
sum"
As the stranger accepted the gift
Irene sat m~otionless, calmly watch
ing the proceedings.
The tramp cautiously opened the
box, as if fearing a trick, and when
his eyes fell upon the glittering
stone his head bobbed back with sur.
prise.
Gee, but this looks like the real
t stuffp' he exclaimed. 'Say, boss
10 you mean to say that l al have
this?"
EYES," Clyde assured him, with &
careless nod. "The girl for whom il
was purchased doesn't want it, mel
Their do l."
The tramp's features broke into
smile as he remarked:
81 suppose it was meant for som,
girl who doesn't know a good fellow
when she meets one and you dom
want to give your friend any second
hand goods. Well, that's right, an,
l don't blame her for wanting on
bought especially for herself"
at does not concern you 70
whom it was bought" responds
Clyde. at is now yours and yo'
can do as you like with it."
"Tm not trying to butt in to you
business, partner" laughed tn
tramp, 'but l had to say something
and | know what it is to get tn
cold shoulder. You see, I wasn't al
ways a tramp. l once had a goo
business, and loved a girl, and W
would have been married, only sh
got a notion in her head that sh
was born to be an actress and lef
h me. l never heard Of her until fv
: years later, when | was called t
New York to save her from potter
field. That's why Pm a tramp an.
have lost faith N women. l thin
II the lady by your side is an exceT
Re ton, for she doesn't look like on
t. who would fool with a mans hear.
But, shucks, | won't bother you an
more with my past. Pm obliged fc
1t the ring" he finished, turning to g
L "Please stop a moment" erie
Irene, springing to her feet.
d The tramp swung around an
t. waited.
"Will you kindly give me II
as ring?" she asked. at was bougl
ID for me and l am anxious to wear it,
I'd "Well, you see, lady," the tram
replied, "the gentleman gave it
me, but if he wants you to have
4 all he has to do is say So"
| Irene cast an appealing glance
er much as to say: 'Tell him to gi'
lie it to me-"
do you really want it, Irene.
t. questioned Clyde, rising to his fet
to "Haye you changed your mind abo'
going away? And will you car
i'll out what we had planned for