Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-01-13

L lOudiu nlCOIunif uiu NV ShbobOmSh'
ring Is worth fortune. I wish you
could see It."
Her aunt sighed. "well. what are
| you going to do about TT"
Isabel was silent a minute, then, 81
! think, Aunt Katie, that it's best to
be honest. FIN going to tell Tom thu
truth. never could be happy with a
poor man now"
Tom Custer had looked at the office
clock so many times that afternoon
that Mr.. Merrick. the junior partner,
said finally, "Girl away. Toni"
"Yes, sir"
Coming home todayr
"Ycs, sir"
~ thought So"
Mr.. Mcrrlck put on his hat. am
going home now. and you'd better
make 1t holiday. too, and quit an
hour early. You'll want to get candy
and flowers and do the right thing. !
want TO talk over things with you In
the morning"
Tom waited until the door closed,
then drew over the telephone. But
just rs he gave the number the door
opened again. He looked around i'm
patiently. Miss Cartwright" he ex-
claimed.
Aunt Katie nodded greeting.
swat minute, Tom. Don't call Isa-
bel just yet. | want to tell you some
thing first. You'll hate me forever,
but it's got to be done, and guess
can stand It If it's going to do any
good"
At dinner her niece was quiet. She
was wondering Just what she would
say to Tom and how he would take 1t.
Eight o'clock came. Miss Katie saw
Isabel glance from her magazine to
the clock.
Half-past eighth
'That Miss Smertz. the society edi-
tor of the Herald. has bothered me
to death about you. so l gave her all
the information she wanted this morn
ing. There's a piece in tonight. I
guess"
SIS that so?" Isabel was painfully
dislnterested. But she was saying to
herself: "Then Tom does know I'm
home. wonder why he hasn't called
up at least"
Ten o'clock, and no Tom. Isabel.
puzzled and weary-eyed, went upstairs,
not to sleep. but to toss wretchedly
most Of the night.
She was up at daybreak and down.
stairs waiting when the paper boy
came. She turned to the society page.
There was a five-line announcement
of her return. Tom may not have seen
the other. but he would surely know
now. But what was that right under
it7 "Mr. Thomas Custer, Of the firm
of Merrick & Merrick. left last night
on a business trip to Des MoInes. He
expects to he gone week."
The postman brought mail and there
was a letter from Tom. She tore 1t
open with feverish haste, Dear Isa-
BEL" he wrote. 81 was sorry to have
to leave just when you were coming
home, but couldn't very well help It..
My chance for success rests with the
Merricks. and must please them first.
Money comes first In the world. you
know: sentiment, after all, is sec
ondary thing. and I know you will
understand. know you had pleas
amt visit, and hope to hear all about
1t before long. Afrectionately. Tom"
Isabel crushed the letter into a
ball and threw 1t onto the table. swell,
II like that" she cried furIously. and
rushed to her own room crying.
At the end Of two days Aunt Katie
remarked seriously: "Say. Isabel. why
don't you send Tom his ring while
he's awayi II wouldn't be likely to
hurt him so much. for he's having a
good time and his mind will be on
other things. His aunt told me at the
club that he's staying with some very
rich friends Of the Merricks, and they
are up to their ears in society"
Give decided to keep the ring, :"
said Isabel family. And the next
morning It was back in its place on
her left hand.
anu dlteT uOOut huhulSu years ''i'
week passed and Tom came home 70
find a very humble, very loving and
very thoughtful Isabel. 81 was afraid
you'd forget me while you were away
Tom. dear" II was almost qucs-
ton.
"see n dldp Out OF his pocket
came a Hat box. and out Of the box a
string Of pearls. 'T've been taken inia
the arm. dear. and this Is TO celc-
brale"
And while Isabel was ecstatically
admlrlng them In the glass Tom found
time 10 whisper 10 happy Miss Katie
I ssv<..,-a an old dear II worked Ike