The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-10

zled as she was herself, although Isa-
bel at times had INDUCED in the sus-
picion that her mother was in some
way an accomplice in the mysterious
affair. For a brief and glorious mo-
ment, also Isabel suspected Donald
Stewart, but her next meeting with
him in town disabused her mind of
the idea. The Scotchman had seemed
even more gloomily reserved than
usual, and Isabel returned home after
luncheon and a matinee with him in
more or less depressed state of
mind.
She determined to see no more of
Stewart. Mrs. Browning had been
quite right in her surmise. Had Isa-
bel possessed less common sense than
was her fortunate endowment she
would have made herself unutterably
wretched for love of Donald Stewart.
AS it was, however, her anonymous
love affair served to tighten her de-
preston and also to prevent her from
forming a deep attachment for any
of her six ardent admirers.
One morning Isabel discovered in
the heart Of her bouquet of deep red
solitaire ring. She almost flew to her
mothers room, her cheeks crimson,
and her eyes starry.
Mother" she cried breathlessly
holding the jewel aloft, my stealthy
lover asks me to wear this ring and
thus proclaim my engagement to him!
What shall / do?"
She laughed a trif1e Historically,
for her heart was prompting her to
slip the ring on her finger and to
wear it boldly for the whole world to
see.
"I think I should wear his ring
| dearie," the mother suggested softly,
kissing her daughters flushed cheeks.
1T may be the only way to make him
reveal himself in the flesh-now that
he seems to have won you in the
spirit
He writes that he Willie will
hold me in his arms-today."I She
slipped the ring on her finger and
covered her burning face with her
hands.
Mrs. Browning smiled serenely.
There was a conscious look in her
faded eyes. BE patient, dearie."
she counseled fondly. 81 think I can
foresee great happiness in store for
you"
All day long Isabel was in a fever
of excitement and expectation. She
could not keep Donald Stewart out
of her thoughts for a single moment
although she had resigned herself
completely to meeting her mystic
rious lover and was impatient for his
coming. She did not wear the soli-
taire publicly until evening" when she
had donned her dainty pink gown
for the dance at the club. She had
not felt heroic enough in her secret
betrothal to parade it before six pairs
of inquisitive masculine eyes until
then.
Within half an hour after she en-
tered the hall six pairs of keenly OBJ
servant masculine eyes-not to men
ton half a hundred belonging to the
gentler sex had discovered the
cleaning Jewel Six agitated sum-
mer boarders had compared notes,
and the dean of the sextet, debon-
nair Jimmy Rogers, had been APP
pointed a committee of one to look
into the matter.
| He was making his way across the
crowded room to claim Isabel for a
waltz already called when another
man appeared suddenly and took
/ possession of her without so much as
saying, Madam, by your leave"
The music began, Isabels hair was
brushing Donald Stewards cheek and
she could feel his unruly heart pound
ing hard against her.
81 have redeemed my promise" he
whispered, exultantly. 81 am holding
you in my arms.''-Copyright 1915:
by the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.