The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

On her engagement finger there was 4
ring in which yawning cavity mark
ed the loss of setting.
mo" he said finally. II have
brought this!" He held up the anne
thyst and watched the girls face. A
great light leapt into her eyes.
"How perfectly wonderful" ex-
claimed Eleanor Deane. "But tell me
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 was
rather inconsiderate-to swallow your
engagement ring-thinking it was
corn" He attempted to laugh.
A. quick color crimsoned Eleanor's
cheeks. IAN engagement ring Is al
ways very precious" she put in hur-
riedly. 81 thank you for returning
mine" Her confusion over, Eleanor
mentioned her occupation. "You see
have entire charge Of my turkeys
and it must have been in the mixing
Of their food that my amethyst drop
ped out. I mix it always with my
hands. l 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.
WELL" 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,? Iheard
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. "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 off with him"
During dinner Godfrey remarked
casually: "Mother-do you think Dad
has done enough for his factory hands
this Christmas? Wouldn't it 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"
"No, no-Perkins knows nothing
about turkeys." Godfrey said without
glancing in his sisters direction. II
will 60 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.
~ 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 living-I can't bear to have
it otherwise. I seem to love every
bird" She looked appealingly up at
Godfrey and laughed TREMENDOUSLY. II
have 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.
If you care to hear why-I will tell
you," she said.
II care-very much" Godfrey re-
turned, and kept the tenderness out
of his voice.
1T was essential-that I do some
thing" she said. Il have been an or
phan 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 It hadn't occurred to
me that 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 took
to gambling. He has been gambling
ever since" s.. !
Godfrey turned his eyes from the
sorrow in Eleanor's face; then he
spoke aloud the words his heart was
asking: do you-love him-now?"
Eyes. love Jimmy and always will
love him-but not" She found it
to go On with Godfrey's
eyes fixed in so disturbing a way
upon her
mot how?" he demanded.
Gao q h,,c ho n 4 EI1oo NOV rop1joI