The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-06
Haven't i she dashed. You know moth.
ing about me. Inay be engaged 70 be
married for all you know, Mr.. Blum.

Haven't j she dashed. You know moth.
ing about me. Inay be engaged 70 be
married for all you know, Mr.. Blum
ing.
She didn't know why she said II,
but the need Of Q protector, hypothet.
ical though he might be, was impera.
tive, and 1t came ont before she could
think.
Mr.. Bluming was silent an instant
and his smile disappeared. Then he
laughed easily. don't believe 1t.
But he walked away and left Mary
in momentary peace. At the intersec.
ton OF two aisles, Mary had o glimpse
OF the young man with the nice eyes.
the one who seemed to enjoy o little
Joke OF his own. He looked her way,
their eyes met. and-Mr. Bluming was
forgotten.
That night, after thinking things oy.
or, Mary decided to do something. The
manager was right. She knew hardly
any one in the big city and certainly
no one we'll enough to go to for advice.
So there was no'one to rely upon but
herself, no one to tell her whether her
plan was right or wrong, and 1t was
the best she could think Of. unsophis-
ticated as she was.
/ must do something to convince
that mar that THAT there is some
body who cares for me. And 1t can't
do any harm. ] can put It back at
closing time every night
So the next morning, while arranging
her wares, Mary took from its place
In the tray solitaire diamond Of ca
rat weight and slipped in onto the
third finger OF her left hand.
At first, she stood gazing at its
changing color, rapturously. then, sud-
denly thoughtful, she started to draw
1t of. What was 1t she was doing? 1t
wasn't the sentiment Of wearing what
wasn't hers that troubled her, but the
false significance Of the thing. Was
1t right to make the world believe she
was engaged when she wasn't?
Good morning. Miss Webster! Mary
hastily covered her hand and returned
the greeting. lie was the man with the
nice eyes. This time he stopped. but
hesitated as though the close proxi.
nifty Of so much charm drove what he
was Going to say out of his head. Mary
hastily turned the stone In the ring un.
derneatn.
Is there anything I can show you?
she smiled.
Well, guess can see for myself
the way It's spread out, he grinned,
But you can show me anything you
like. What's the latest thing in cream
Jugs?
Opposite counter! laughed Mary.
That won't do then! Let's see I'll
look at a pin for my grandmother.
Something black, l suppose.
Over in the Jets. Miss Marshall!
Wait minute. I've changed my
mind. Show me those necklaces!
Layallieres. certainly.
It took long time to choose. Final.
ly the young man decided upon one,
paid for 1t. got his change and put
the package into his pocket. Then
he went on his way humming a merry
little tune.
Mr.. Drumming drew near. Mary
hastily turned the stone into view.
Well, Miss Mary, good.morning. An.
other day gone, Ell? Well, there's
always ohc Soaiihb. Ahot my mOG-
to! Then the ring caught his eye.
Where did you get that?
told you that perhaps l was en-.
gagged.
Well, don't believe It. His eyes
glittered. What IL I'd say knew
where you got 1t, because | saw you
take It? Maybe you'll think better
now about dinner. II the manage
ment knew-he stopped.
Mary waited, white to the lips.
win you come?
No!
THEME turned. Charlie. 60 ask
Mr.. Taylor to come here, please.
I've sent for the store detective. he
explained. It's not too late yet,
though.
Mary was silent.
Than down the aisle, still humming
the merry tune, came the young man
who had Just purchased the laval
Here.
You sent for me? to Bluming.
Yes. And the floor manager explain.
ed Mary's crime to the store detec.
tive While Mary stood as white and
still as statue Of white marble.
Mr.. Taylor laughed easily. Why
didn't you tell him the truth. Mary?
There was no need of so much sec.
recy as all that. just thought we'd
keep 1t as a surprise-that's all. Miss
Webster has promised to be my wife,
he explained TO the nonplused Blum.
ing and told her to pick out the ring
she liked best today. Is that satisfac.
tory?
And noting a steely glitter in the
young mans eyes, Mr.. Bluming apol.