The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-10-06

said. in a low voice. Last night I
sat with her on a balcony where the
lights outshone the moon and I told
her that I was engaged to YOU"
Dosia's heart did not leap to find
her lips now. 1t shrivelled and sank
and grew cold. 1t came to her that
the old idea Of a broken heart was
died. Hers was dying nov
me-" she said. 1t sounded like some.
body else speaking. But YOU are
mistaken about being engaged to me,
Page. You are not engaged to me
unless you choose" She slipped off
the rock and stood before him. She
engagement ring on her finger. Sud
denly it came off and fell into the
grass. II dropped it," she exclaimed.
Page had seen and %understood.
Never mind. Let it lie there. I have
brought you another. You have worm
that mt long enough"
He sighed and feeling in his vest
pocket drew forth a ring box. When
he opened it the Jewel that flashed in
held it toward her smiling. Come"
he urged.
Dosia stared at-the jewel and then
at Pages face. She put her hands be-
hind her back and shook her mead
slowly. NO" she said.
Why not? I got it for you. I've
come all the waya down, here TO give
Because it belongs to that 81 er
lie laughed sharply GOOD heavens.
.:ne wouldn't have me! ] don ne-i to
ask her to know that. Why, she's MS
hish above me as that moon and jus.
as unattainable. just. as beautiful.
too" His voice lowered. He bent his
head in his hands.
Dosia stood considering him. He
was suffering: h understood that
from her own feelings. It came TO her
that a good deal depended upon her.
She laid her hand on his shoulder
and spoke. I'm sorry. Page. "e're
both in. the same plight, you and I.
We both love somebody that's out Of
our reach, but I hope we've both rot
after what We never can have"
He lifted his face duly. You
mean"
Il mean that if she won't have you.
you must give her up and learn to do
without her. You'll find Q can.
Don't take a makeshift-like me. It
would spoil everything. And you've
got a wonderful future before you.
h.us. liiiJlh VI tHAt. fut
your ring back till you some day find
a girl you can give, it to. l don't
want it. 1t isn't for me. That other
ring "a all right for me. but this
7. will find the other ring and. put
It back on your hand Dosia." She
shivered. No. Let 1t lie there. I
wish it: We can be friends now.
He put his hands on her shoulders
and looked into her face. But he
could not see much Of what was there,
for her back was to the moon.
You're a noble woman, Dosia." he
said. You make me ashamed. Some
day we'll talk this over. and then
maybe ! a tell you just how hard
l tried to keep our place for you
and how reluctantly I failed"
She smiled. Il understand without
your telling, Page, and it's ali riKht.
You're not to blame. There's two
kinds Of love. I guess-one kind hap.
pens and the other grows. Yours
happened. I'm sorry you can't get
you're mistaken"
He choked. II tell you she's
the moon. Dosia."
Them" said. Dosia, gent,... don't
be q, baby and cry for it,"
She turned toward the house and
Page followed her. AS she walked
she tried to keen her head up, to
look bravely forward. But she was
th1nking-sbout the little ring that
stood for so many things. which she
had left lying back there in The
dampening grass.