The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1916-12-29
Miss. KAIIE'S SCHEME
BY OLIVER BROWN.

| Fine! l never lived DefOre!
The smile faded slowly from he
aunt's face and she scanned the girl
features anxiously. "Just what d
you mean by that, dear. What wOul'
Tom say if he heard it?'
II mean every word say. If 20,
could only see how the Pattersons liv'
md what jeans friends are like
Why, Auntie, never knew there were
such people in the world. And sucf
clothes, such jewels, I've never seen
Diamonds and pearls as big as hazel
nuts. barrels of EN-"
Her aunt's eyes sought the hant
With Toms modest little diamond
hen she gave cry of dismay. "Where
$ your engagement ring, Isabel?"
Its in my bag. Do you think
vas going to wear it for those people
o see? Jean'ss sister is engaged to
Donald AfcCrum, and her engagement
ing is worth fortune. I wish you
.ould see it."
Her aunt sighed. well, what are
Iou going to do about it?"
Isabel was silent a minute, then, 81
hink. Aunt Katie, that it's best to
,e honest. I'm going to tell Tom the
ruth. l never could be happy with a
>oor MAJ. now"
Tom Custer had looked at the Office
lock so many times that afternoon
hat Mr.. Merrick, the Junior partner,
aid finally. Girl away, Tom?"
Yes, sir
Coming home todayY
Yes. sir"
II thought So"
Mi Merrick put on his hat. "I'm
Toing home now, and you'd better
make il q holiday, too, and quit an
lou: early. You'll want to get candy
md flowers and do the right thing.
want to talk over things with you in
he morning"
1om waited until the door closed,
hen drew over the telephone. But
ust as he gave the number the door
opened again. lie looked around i'm
patiently. Miss Cartwright" he ex-
claimed.
An:t Katie nodded greeting.
Wait a minute, Tom. Don't call Isa-
Del Just yet. want to tell you some
hing first. You'll hate me forever,
tut it's got 70 be done, and guess 1
:ar stand it if it's going to do any
;coi."
st dinner her niece was quiet. She
vas wondering just what she would
ay to Ton and how he would take II.
IigE. o'clock came. Miss Katie saw
sabc! glance from her magazine to
he clock.
Half-past eight!
"That Miss Smertz, the society edi-
OF Of the Herald. has bothered me
o death about you. SO l gave her all
he information she wanted this morn
ng. There's piece in tonight,
,uess."
us that so?" Isabel was painfully
But she was saying to
herself: "Then Tom does know I'm
lone. wonder why he hasn't called
~ at least"
Ten o'clock, and no Tom. Isabel,
'uzzled and weary-eyed, went upstairs.
lot to sleep, but to toss wretchedly
most Of the night.
She was up at daybreak and down.
stairs waiting when the paper boy
'aGie. She turned to the society page.
There was q fve-line announcement
# hcr return. Tom may not have seen
he other, but he would surely know
low. But what was that right under
Il mfr. Thomas Custer. Of the firm
II Merrlck & Merrick, left last night
10 business trip to Des Moines. He
Expects to be gone week."
The postman brought mail and there
vas letter from Tom. She tore it
pen with feverish haste. "Dear Isa-
'cl." he wrote, II was sorry to have
o leave just when you were coming
.ome, but I couldn't very well help it.
~ chance for success rests with the
and I must please them first.
douey comes first in the world, you
now: sentiment, after all. is a sec-
'ndary thing. and I know you viii
! know you had a pleas
mt visit and hope to hear all about
! before long. Anectionately. Tom"
Isabel crushed the letter into q
all and threw It onto the table. "Well,
like that" she cried furiously. and
ushed to her own room crying.
At the end Of two days Aunt Katie
seriously: Say. Isabel why
ont you send Tom his ring while
e's away1 It wouldn't be likely to
urt him 30 much. for he's having a
GOD time and his mind will be on
Their things. His aunt told me at the
hub that he's staying with some very
[ch friends Of the Merricks. and they
re up to their ears in society,""
1--we decided to keep the ring"
aid Isabel family. And the next
corning It was back In its place on
ef left hand.
And after about a hundred years the
'ee4 passed and Tom came home to
nd o very humble. a very loving and