Holbrook argus., 1912-02-27
Gilbert s
 Retllrn

The little town of Bentonville was gayly decorated in honor of the cele- bration of homecoming. week Elab- crate preparations had been complet- ed to welcome the return of the sons and daughters of the little inland town. From the letters received it seemed as though the guests were as glad to come back as they had been eager to depart. -
 Have you heard that Gilbert Gib- son is coming in his private car?" asked Cicely of her friend Babette as they walked down the main street.
 Its nearly ten years since he was here" returned Babette. Nov that he is so successful and called The Merchant King of Rochester, I won- der if he will remember many of his old school friends?" ....
 Didn't you correspond with him? I always thought he favored you," in- Quired Cicely.
 'etYes, Gilbert was my first sweet heart, but I wasn't his last, for of course he is very popular now. Lit tie did we dream then that this awk- ward youth would rise after failure and defeat to achieve such unparal- leled success"
 T never knew anyone 80 conscien- tious, with such a sense of itegrity and uprightness. It kept him all his life from having a good time," said Cicely. ..
 He was so interesting that you liked him in spite of his plain, un- comedy appearance. He could dis cuss even the weather in the most absorbing way and had the greatest aptitude to say the right thing at the right time. No one has interested me half as much since," said Babette. 'T don't deny have encouraged others"
 T presume it will be gladsome day when you meet again." said Cice- ly wondering how many admirers her friend had had in the interval.
 .'It may be Out of sight, out of mind I haven't heard from him in years. Really I haven't given him much thought except when I've heard of his fortune"
 Its just as we'll, Babette. For he told me when I was East, in a burst of confidence, that the seal ring he wore was his mascot and though the girl who gave 1t to him was most likely married, he never would part with his good luck ring"
 "Then that was the reason why never heard from him. You know I was engaged to young man from Washington, but we agreed to dis agree after a few weeks. I wish, Oh, how I wish, had that little seal ring now"
 Where is it?"
 q gave it away ages ago to my It. tie niece who lost 1t, and I never took the trouble to look for it."
 'If it's only 8 plain ring. why don't you buy another exactly like it?" suggested the fertile brain of Cicely What splendid ideal" Lets stop at the jewellers right now"
 Babette bought the ring and return ing home was told young man was waiting to see her. Quickly open ing the little box she slipped the ring upon her finger.
 "Gilbert!" she exclaimed with her heart leaping with joy and thankful. ness that she had anticipated his visit
 Welcome, am so pleased to see you. You have improved so much in looks I would scarcely have recog- nized you" said Babette, grasping ais hand.
 'fYou haven't changed for the bet ter; that would be an impossibility," he said, gazing admiringly at her will lowy form and beautiful face. "The years that have flown by have done nothing to mar your exquisite beauty and grace I find that I've been labor ing under 8 delusion for years. thought you were married"
 "No, I'm heart whole and fancy free,' though most of the crowd we went with are married and some of them waste their time wondering why I'm still single" she answered giving him an arch look which spoke vol tunes and saying to herself" "why don't he notice the ring"
 "You still wear that poor little ring, I see. Have you never taken 1t of. Mine Is still on my finger, even though thought you loved an- other"
 "Gilbert!" answered the girl lit- tie ashamed of her duplicity.
 q can't believe that I deserve this immeasurable boundless joy, but just as in the past this little ring has been a constant reminder of you, so I'll have perpetually in my mind only the thought of future welfare and felici- ty."
 The young mans face beamed with pleasure at her words.
 'If I had the least idea that you