The Elk Mountain pilot., 1912-01-18
Glbert's
Return,

and daughters of the little inland
town. From the letters received 1t
seemed as though the guests were as
eager to depart.
Have you heard that Gilbert Glib
son is coming in his private carr"
asked Cicely of her friend Babette
as they walked down the main street
'Its nearly ten years since he was
here" returned Babette. Now 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.
"Yes, Gilbert was my first sweet
heart, but l 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"
Il never knew anyone so conscien-
tious, with such sense OF itegrity
and uprightness 1t kept him all his
life from having a good time" said
Cicely.
"He was 80 interesting that you
liked him in spite OF his plain. un-
comely 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. II
don't deny have encouraged others.
81 presume 1t will be gladstone
day when you meet again." said Cfce-
ly wondering how many admirers her
friend had had in the interval.
at may be Out Of sight, out OF
mind l haven't heard from him in
years. Really I haven't given him
much thought except when I've heard
of his fortune"
'1t's just as we'll, Babette. For he
told me when / was East. In burst
of confidence, that the seal ring he
wore was his mascot and though the
girl who gave it 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
was engaged to a young man from
Washington. but we agreed to dis
agree after few weeks. wish. Oh.
how l wish, had that little seal ring
now"
where is it,"
81 gave # away ages ago to my lit
tie niece who lost 1t, and I never
took the trouble to look for It,"
"If it's only plain ring. why don't
you buy another exactly like it?"
suggested the fertile brain of Cicely.
What splendid ideal" Let's
stop at the jewelers. right now"
Babette bought the ring and return
ing home was told a young man was
waiting to see her Quickly open
ing tho 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, I am so pleased to see
you. You have improved SO much in
looks would scarcely have recog-
nized you," said Babette, grasping
his hand.
"You 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. find that I've been labor
ing under a delusiop for years.
thought you were married"
mo. 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
umes and saying to herself" "why
don't he notice the ring"
You still wear that poor little
ring. 1 see. Have. you never taken
1t Off Mine is still on my finger,
even though l thought you loved an
other"
"Gilbert!" answered the girl lit
tie ashamed of her duplicity.
II can't believe that 1 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 1 had the least idea that you
cared to see me. I certainly would
have come from the uttermost por-
tions Of the earth. You have held
me superlatively happy. Others have
fawned upon me for my wealth. but
you it ia alone who was capable of
the highest form of affection. You
cared for me regardless Of the power
which comes with affluence."
Dearest" he added tenderly. "is
the inscription engraved on your