The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1912-12-26

ring IN wnich yRWninx cavity marx
ed the loss of q setting
"No." he said finally. 81 hav,
brought this!" He held up the anne
thyst and watched the girls face.
great light leapt into her eyes.
"How perfectly wonderful" ex
claimed Eleanor Deane. "But tell mi
where did you find It and how?'
Her questions tumbled from smiling
lips.
In the crop Of a turkey" Godfrey
informed her. Then despite his better
judgment he added. "The bird wa,
rather inconsiderate--to swallow YOU
engagement ring thinking It wal
corn" He attempted to laugh.
A quick color crimsoned Eleanor.
cheeks. AN engagement ring Is al
ways very precious" she put In hur
riedly. II thank you for returning
mine" Her confusion over. Eleanor
mentioned her occupation. "You see
have entire charge of my turkey:
and 1t must have been In the mixing
of their food that my amethyst drop
ped out. | mix It always with my
hands. hope the turkey Mrs
She paused in confusion.
Mrs. Stone-my mother" Godfrey
helped her out. Then because there
seemed nothing more to say and be
cause he seemed strangely depressed
Godfrey made his departure.
Welt" demanded Mary Stone
when her brother again sat by his own
| fire. Isn't she lovely, and did you no
tice that sad look in her eyes? lheard
in the village that the reason she took
to raising turkeys Is because she was
engaged to some skate of man.
Mary! What language!" expostu.
lated her mother.
"Was?" Godfrey tried to keep the
tone of his voice normal. 1.-The anne.
! thyst was the setting from her en-
| gagement ring-she must be still en-
gaged%
Unaware of the tension with which
her brother awaited her answer. Mary
said lightly, "Well-maybe she still
is-but the story in the village is that
she broke of With him"
During dinner Godfrey remarked
casually: "Mother-do you think Dad
has done enough for his factory hands
this Christmas? Wouldn't 1t be rath-
er a good idea to send a basket to
each of the families?"
Mrs. Stone. rejoicing that the philan-
thropic spirit was being made mani.
fest in her son, smiled happily. ut
would be lovely, dear-I will Just send
Perkins over to that very little farm
and"
mo, no-Perkins knows nothing
about turkeys" Godfrey said without
glancing in his sisters direction. Il
will go over tomorrow for some birds
for the New Year" .
Christmas is not the day to chase
around all the turkey farms in the vii
lage." quoted Mary. ~.
Christmas day was crisp and spar
king when Godfrey again approached
the tiny farm. The fairy queen open
ed the door and tinge Of color came
swiftly to her cheeks when she recog-
nized her visitor. wax .- ..
Godfrey. using all his common
sense. first mentioned the factory
hands and the turkeys that he want
ed for them.
You know" Eleanor told him, that
the birds have to be taken away when
they are liying-I can't bear to have
1t otherwise. I seem to love every
bird" She looked appealingly up at
Godfrey and laughed tremulously. 81
have a good weep after each gobbler's
departure"
Godfrey turned swiftly away, then
impatiently back. why do YOU"
Eleanor smiled wistfully and little
slow shrug crept over her shoulders.
III you care to hear why-I will tell
you" she said.
Il care-Very much" Godfrey re-
turned, and kept the tenderness out
OF his voice.
thing" she said. Il have been an or
plsan for many, many years and for
almost as many years have been en-
gagged to q Mr.. James Vane. Jimmy
and grew up together and have been
sweethearts always. I never saved
any money-because Jimmy always
had plenty and 1t hadn't occurred to
me that l would ever want-with
him"
She paused and Godfrey remained
silent. longing for, yet fearful OF. the
finish Of her story.
"Well-Jimmy was one Of the idle
rich and in looking for a pastime tool
to gambling. He has been gambling
ever since" .--
Godfrey turned his eyes from the
sorrow in Eleanor's face; then he
spoke aloud the words his heart wai
asking: DO you-loye him-now?"
Yes. ] love Jimmy and always will
love him-but not" She found II
Impossible TO go on with Godfrey'i
eyes fixed In so disturbing q way
upon her.
mot how?" he demanded.
"As q husband" Eleanor replieS
family.
Then why wear his ring!" Godfre,
again demanded. b
Il told Jimmy. when ne asked me-
to, that / would wear II out OF senti
Il NJ n n.