The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-30
The ring
BY LINCOLN HOLT.

sunset Walk, John said: Daisy, I've
thought about a ring for you, dear.
But it's this way. little girl: The old
house on the farm is going to pieces
fast. and. besides, it's damp and I'M
healthy. So 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 it instead /
of my old rickety stuff"
Daisy lifted o radiant face. Oh, !
John. you are the best boy in the
world"
John kissed her. Then it's all right
about the ring. is 1t dear? l wouldn't
have enough money for both Just now.
It's all right, you're sure. are you.
dearest?" he repeated.
Yes. it's all right, John. You know
best, OF course. Let's turn back now.
didn't bring a coat and it's getting
cold"
Daisy put on brave face to the
world, and pretended not to notice
the glances 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 housetops.
Daisy has no ring" for they made it
perfectly plain In a hundred little
ways that they were shocked.
Daisy could stand 1t no longer. She
cried herself to sleep one night, blam-
ing John for all her suffering The
next morning she sent him a note.
Dear John. | am sorry, but | cannot
marry you. Don't ask me why, please.
l have thought 1t over, and decided
that / am not as happy as an engaged
! girl should be. Regretfully. Daisy
Spring and summer passed. On the
F., 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 attractively 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 1t was pretty Alice Mer-
riman to whom John was now paying
attention and who would probably
take the place in Johns heart and the
new home that Daisy still felt was
rightfully hers! What 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 a 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 trou-
bes.
Poor lamb" comforted Aunt
Emily. 1--WE are always more mis-
cradle when we bring the trouble on
ourselves. Are you quite sure about
the other girl, or just guessing?"
"Just-g-guessing!"
"Well-well. It's too bad! But you
stay here with me until you feel bet,
ter"
But Daisy, working for dear life so
she could forget. was apparently fret
ting her heart out.
One day Aunt Emily said thought
fully, looking at Daisy's sad face: "I'll
have to be away all day on business,
dearie. DO you think you could keep
house here alone?'
Eyes, auntie. You go! I'll get
along!"
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. II Aunt
Emily would only come she could
crawl into bed. She was tired enough
to sleep tonight, that was one blessed
thing!
I Daisy's head dropped against the
back of the chair and book lay I'M
opened upon her lap. It had started
to rain and she could hear the cease
less drip from the caves on to the
doorstep outside. She was wondering
, II Aunt Emily had an umbrella, when
She sprang up. Are you wet. auntie?
It's dreadful-John!" she gasped.
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 1t is that has come
between US II has got to go. You love
me- I know 1t! Come and tell me
So"
Daisy ran to him quickly with a
! happy little sob and threw both arms
! around his neck. John, 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
holidays. Daisy? It's been such long
summer for me-"
Daisy looked at the ring thoughtful
" in spite OF her happiness. Il don't
deserve so much happiness, John"
She was never to know about the
kindly old lady who had gone to John
that day. pleading for the happiness of
a girl, and telling the truth about
whole summer OF wretchedness.
You must never tell her that
came Aunt Emily had declared en-
phatically. And you'll Just about
have time to catch the next train: SO
don't change your clothes. That little