Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-01


ferred that she had received present.
though how it could be of much value
and so small as to be concealed in her
fist, I could not guess. Mr.. Nelson
handed me box, which opened and
found a beautiful gold bracelet set
with rubies. He permitted me to feast
my eyes on 1t for a while then drew
forth another box. no bigger than
walnut. This opened and took out
ring set with q handsome solitaire
diamond.
"This is what I have chosen for
you," he said.
was as well pleased with 1t as with
my bracelet. So intent was on both
that for some time 1 did not raise my
eyes, and when did 1 caught mother
and Mr.. Nelson looking at each other
meaningly. But so stupid was I that
/ did not realize what was passing be
tween them. 1 slipped my ring sue
cessively on the fingers of my right
hand and found it fitted the third.
81 suppose 1 shall wear it there"
said. TT fits exactly"
"Oh, Daisy" exclaimed my mother.
"you are incorrigible!'
mot at ALL" Mr.. Nelson protested
'Let her wear the ring on her right
hand. Next Christmas l may give her
another present, also of my own choos-
ing. and possibly 1t may also be Of
hers. but till then let her do as she
likes about this one"
You two are speaking IN riddles"
broke out. 81 do wish you would talk
so that / can understand you"
"Goodby and a merry Christmas"
said Mr.. Nelson. Remember, next
year hope to stand here with another
gift, which wifi explain to you things
stand"
With that he went out, got into his
cart and drove away.
What does it all mean, mStherr' I
asked.
perhaps you will know by next
Christmas without being told"
That was all / could get out Of her.
and, though 1 puzzled over the matter
all that day and for some time after
ward, failed to find any interpreta-
ton for the secret between mother and
Mr.. Nelson.
During the following year our neigh
Dor was more frequently st our
house. and when summer came and he
took me- on long spins in his auto a
change had come over me. l began to
look upon him not as father or older
brother, but as a man whom l liked
very much to be with When autumn
came he would occasionally bring or
send me flowers from his conservatory.
1t seems singular to me now that while
began to look upon him as a proper
companion for me 1 still failed to I'M
derstand his action in giving me a ring
at the previous Christmas.
One day 1 asked my mother II she
; remembered that George Nelson had
promised TO give me in December a
t present that would explain the previ-
t Gus one. She replied that had missed
!. an opportunity that might not occur
Q again. A food of light poured in upon
: me, and / was shocked at my obtuse-
ness. Furthermore. l was seized with
e CONSERVATION, but l had lost the man
: l was now conscious that l loved.
0 From that time till Christmas l
strove by especially encouraging my
e former sutton to undo what had done
}. But the more l encouraged the more
a I was discouraged Mr.. Nelson grew
Y so far as I could discern. more and
4 more Indifferent to me. Toward the
a end of October came a surprise II
! was on beautiful autumn day, when
we went together for an automobile
d drive. Mr.. Nelson said to me:
o you remember that / promised you
Il gift for the coming Christmas thai
+ would be Of my and l hoped Of your
t choosing?"
t 81 do"
n 81 am ready to tell you what it is
- to be-"
I "What?"
g "a wedding ring"
d When we returned to the house
j. announced to my mother what my gift
D was to be and that had accepted it.
It 81 hope" she replied, you will have
= the sense to put it on your left hand.
y Indeed 1 WILL" replied.
a George insisted. unless there was
J. some especial objection, on being mar
ried on Christmas. He said that ht
r. had been looking forward for nearly
It a year to put the wedding ring on my
b finger and II he were not permitted
d to do so on that day he would be dis
y appointed. l had less than two month,
e in which to get ready, but 1 assented
d and on Christmas morning he did al
c. he had intended to do-gave me plair
gold ring-and as part of the marriag,
d ceremony, when be slipped 1t on, b,
lie and mother exchanged glances, anC
y both were smiling.
!, After the ceremony I went with m,
N husband on a wedding Journey, and OF
lie my return ] became an inmate ant
mistress of the place upon which
It had for SO many years looked wist
g fully. My husband says that he missed
1t his wooing, for there can be no wooinl
e. Of a child. at any rate, he had but
1t few months Of loyemaking.