Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-06-26

after another. coming to town.
dropped him q hint. or more. that
Rose was almost continuously with
this Eaton man, with her mothers
evident consent.
For four days he did not write to
Rose, and on the fifth came a pretty
note from her. Was he all right?
end? 1t was ~lovely-roses blooming
everywhere. She was having such a
good time. She was, as ever, Rose.
This might mean everything, or moth
ing at all. He reflected that girls
have no honor about their signatures
as a rule.
On that day Richards breezed back
to his paper minus ten pounds OF his
fat and correspondingly boastful. Also
he was engaged to Elsie Raglan. He
was important. He gave Fred a look
Of pity and contempt as he left after
a brief call.
Say. you gave her up too easily,
old chap" he began, and to his as
constituent Fred gave a savage scowi
and a menacing gesture.
Clear out, Dicky! What you don't
know would fill q library" Dicky
cleared out with a suppressed whistle
and a remark as to the temper of Il
city-bound man. And Frederic Knowl-
ton sat down and wrote a letter.
Dear Rose:-
This has been a crucial time with
my business and | wanted to make
good In order to give my wife every
comfort. | have had no time for out
door counting. / told you that loved
you and meant 1t then-and mean 1t
now. | asked you to marry me and
you put me off with = h~alf-promise.
But you have my ring and have owed
me Son. consideration.
almost everybody who has been
out at the lake says, intentionally or
otherwise, that your whole time and
attention is taken up by John Eaton.
He may be all right. That is for
your family to make sure OF. But i
Am nov SURE of this-that you, do not
love me and are afraid to say so fatty.
Don't you know me better than that,
little girl? So now | shall give you
your freedom and ask you to sen me
back my mothers ring. You see l
don't want to hold you against your
will to even a half promise. You are
entirely free. / hope you will be
happy.
FREDERIC KNOWLTON."
He savagely stamped and sealed the
letter and himself took 1t to the office
so that she would get it that night.
He grimly told himself that now he
could really put his mind on his bust
ness. But life felt empty and forlorn
enough.
The next morning he was called to
the telephone-by Roses mother.
We're at the town house." she said
quietly. Rose wants you to come
out right away"
Il can't" he answered, for he
thought he could no bear the torture
Of seeing her.
"Youll-have to, Frederic. I am
afraid" she replied. and hung up with
Z 1urtner parley.
He seized his hat and took the first
car out to Carey place. Her mother
let him into the stuffy house.
You'll find Rose in the library"
she said a bit stiffly.
Wondering, still angry. but eager.
the young man went down the hall
and opened the library door. Rose.
tanned. lovely in her white dress, held
out both hands to him. He tried q
moment to resist and then took them
both in his. But he held her of at
arms length and searched her face.
Tears filled her eyes,.
"Oh, Freddie" she said, "You-l-I
wsnt your little ring! / want To-
keep it-always."
And me, too?" he asked a bit grim
ly. DO you know yet whether you
want me for keeps?"
She laughed a little laugh through
her tears and came close to lay her
head against his sleeve while she held
hands.
Yes" she answered. II know
didn't want anyone but you the min
ute l saw | might-lose you. guess
I've been pretty bad! But you're
good enough-for both of US. aren't
you?"
Frederic Knowlton gave her a little
shake. She was always al utter de-
light. to his heart.
Copyright. 1913. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
This Hen LAYS Flat Eqls.