Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-04-06
The Ring
BY LINCOLN HOLT.


sunset walk, John said Daisy, I've
thought about 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
nice new little home for my bride,
Daisy. and get some pretty. new mod.
ern things to put inside of 1t instead
OF my olo 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? / 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 coat and It's getting
cold"
Daisy put on a 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
well have cried from the housetops,
Daisy has no ring" for they made 1t
perfectly plain in a hundred little
ways that they were shocked.
Daisy could stand it 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.
| have thought it over, and decided
that | am not as happy as an engaged
girl should be. Regretfully, Daisy"
Spring and summer passed. 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 attractively tinted
rooms with what John called modern
up-to-date furniture.
Then, twice in September, John
went home from church with the Mer-
rimansl So II 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 q terrible mis-
take she had made! 1t was more
than she could bear SO one day she
packed up and left her sisters house
Co. Ill IA
Aunt Emily's heart was as big as
her purse was small, and 1t did Daisy
worlds of good to sob out all her trou-
bles.
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- guessingl"
"Well-well, It's too bad, But you
stay here with ne 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'n
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
Daisy's head dropped against the
back of the chair, and a 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
II Aunt Emily had an umbrella, when
she heard someone open the door
She sprang up. Are you wet, auntle?
It's a dreadful-Johnl she gasped
John Wilson stood towering in the
little doorway. He was in his farm
clothes and dripping wet.
Daisy" He took step into the
room and held out his arms Oar
ling. whatever 1t Is that has come
between us It has got TO go. You love
me. ] know II 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 a long
summer for me-
Daisy looked at the ring thoughtful
ly in spite of her happiness. II don't
deserve so much happiness. John
she was never to know about the
Ia, IL L. H.. h,l 90 Lob