Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-12-20

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 good idea to send 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 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.
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
1t otherwise. / seem to love every
bird" She looked appealingly up at
Godfrey and laughed tremulously. "I
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.
81 care-very much," Godfrey re-
turned, and kept the tenderness out
of his voice.
"It was essential-that I do some
thing" she said. 81 have been an or
phan for many, many years and for
almost as many years have been en-
gagged to a 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 I 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"
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?"
"Yes. love Jimmy and always will
love him-but not" She found II
impossible to go on with Godfrey'f
eyes fixed in so disturbing way
upon her.
NOL uOW u6 utLuduueu.
"As a husband" Eleanor replied
family.
"Then why wear his ring!" Godfrey
again demanded.
'T told Jimmy, when he asked me
to- that I would wear it out of senti
ment until" Eleanor knew she
would have to finish her sentence, Sc
she hurriedly did what his eyes asked
until loved some one better thar
loved him."
"Well." Godfrey decided slowly
'you won't mind so much now tha
the setting is out-will your"
ut is my birthstone and 1t means
contentment," Eleanor returned de
murely.
Godfrey laughed happily and Flea
nor joined him. The Christmas chine
in two voices thrilled through the tin.
cottage.
"I am at peace for the first tim
in my life," Godfrey said softly. "An'
1t is all because it is Christmas an,
my mother bought turkey that ha,
swallowed an amethyst that belongs
-