The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-30
The Euening Story
The Ring.
(By Lincoln Holt.)

JOhn looked into Daisy blue eyes
and kissed her. Il can't believe it's
true, dearest, that we are going to be
married. L don't deserve such luck
and don't know how it could possibly
nave happened with the world full Of
fellows better and smarter and richer
than / am
But you're you, joint came
Daisy's soft answer, which deserved
another kiss, of course.
One morning, a week later, Daisy's
sister, with whom she lived, asked,
Isn't John going to give you an en-
gagement ring?''
Daisy pretended an indifference she
did not feel. Indeed, 1 don't know.
L really haven't thought anything
about 1t. John is dear and we are
very happy"
But it set her to thinking.
One evening as she was taking
sunset walk, John said: Daisy, I've
thought about a ring for you, dear.
house on the farm is going to pieces
fast, and, besides, it's damp and I'M
healthy. So L have decided to build
a nice new little home for my bride
Daisy, and get some pretty, new mod
ern things to put inside of 1t instead
of my old rickety stuff
Daisy lifted a radiant face. "Oh,
John, you are the best boy in the
world!"
John kissed her. "Then it's all right
about the ring, is it, dear? I wouldn't
have enough money, fCr both just
now. Indeed, I'm depending upon
bumper crops for the furniture. BY
fall 1 hope to have the hous finished
and furnished. It's all right; you're
sure, are you, dearest ~ he repeated
Daisy had turned her face away.
"Deariei" he pleaded.
Daisy turned suddenly and forced a
brave smile.
Yes. it's all right, John. You know
best, of course. Let's turn back now.
L a 26IIlnS
cold
Daisy put on u brave face to the
world, and pretended not to notice the
chances at her finger and the whis-
pering which could only mean one
thing.
All the girls in town might as we'll
have cried from the house tops, Daisy
has no ring for they made It per-
fectly plain in hundred little ways
that they were shocked.
Daisy could stand it no longer. She
cried herself to sleep one night, b1am-
ing John for all her suffering. Its
so hard to seem happy and pretend
not to notice what they mean. It's
Johns fault. He has no right to hui
initiate meslike thist's ae~s cas-
The next mornifs. she. sent him a
note. Dear John, I am sorry, but
cannot marry you! Don't a SIX me why,
please have thought it over, and
decided that 1 am not as happy as an
engaged girl should be. Regretfully,
Daisy
Spring and summer passed. People
had stopped talking about the dread
full way Daisy Pemberton had treated
John Wilson and had begun to nod
toward the Wilson farm and say, Il
wonder who will get a chance to live
there now?' For on the pretty south
slope of the orchard hill stood a new
little stone-and-shingle bungalow.
And there had been enough hay, oats
and corn, after filling the barn, to
furnish the attra ctively tinted rooms
with what John called modern up-to-
date furniture.
Then, twice in September, John
went home from church with the Mer-
rimans! So it was pretty Alice Mer-
riman to whom John was now paying
attention and who would probably
take tho place in Johns heart and the
new home that Daisy still felt was
rightfuIly hersI What a terrible mis-
take she had made! 1t was more
than she could bear So one day she
packed up and left her sisters house
for long visit to an aunt in the city
Aunt Emily's heart was as big as
her purse was small and it did Daisy
worlds of good to sob out all her
troubles
poor lamb" comforted Aunt
Emily I'VE are always more miSer-
able when we bring the trouble on
ourselves. Are you quite sure about
the other girl, or just guessing"
st-g-guessingH
stay here with me until you feel bet
ter"
But Daisy, working for dear life so
she could forget, was apparently
fretting her heart out
One day Aunt Emily said thought
fully, looking at Daisy's sad face:
''Ill have to be away all day on bust,
ness, dearie. Do you think you could
| keep house here alone :?
Yes, auntie. You go! I'll get
a1ong!"
So her aunt departed and Daisy
pitched into the work.
By night she was dead tired and
her aunt had not returned.
She sat alone in the little sitting
room watching the clock. If Aunt
Emily would only come she could
crawl into bed She was tired enough
to sleep tonight, that was one blessed
thing!
Daisy's head dropped against the
back of the chair, and book lay I'M
opened upon her lap 1t had started
| to rain and she could hear the cease
less drip from the caves on to the
doorstep outside. She was wondering
if Aunt Emily had an umbrella, when
she heard some one open the door.
She sprang up Are you wei, auntle
John Wilson stood towering in the
little doorway. He was in his farm
clothes and dripping wet
Daisy" He took a step into the
room and held out his arms. Oar
ling whatever it is that has come be-
tween US it has got to go. You love
me. 1 know it, Come and tell me
So"
Daisy ran to him quickly with a
happy little sob and threw both arms
around his neck John, l love you,
she whispered into his soaking Shout
der
John slipped something on to her
finger and held her hand up to the
light. How do you like it, dearest
The crops were extra heavy-enough
for furniture and ring, too. When are
you coming home, dear? I'm so anx-
ious for you to see our little home
and can't we be all settled before the