The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-06-15

BY OLIVER BROWN.

The smile faded slowly from her
aunt's face and she scanned the girls
| features anXiously. Just what do
you mean by that, dear. What would
Tom say If he heard it?'
II mean every word | say. II you
could only see how the Pattersons live
and what jeans friends are like +!
Why. Auntie, | never knew there were
such people in the world. And such
clothes, such jewels. I've never seen.
Diamonds and pearls as big as hazel
nuts. barrels of EN-"
Her aunt's eyes sought the hand
with Toms modest little diamond,
then she gave cry Of dismay. "Where
is your engagement ring, Isabel?
ITS in my bag. Do you think |
was going TO wear il for those people
to see? Jeans sister is engaged TO
Donald McCrum. and her engagement
ring is worth q fortune. | wish you
could see It,"
Her aunt sighed. "Well, what are
you going to do about it,"
| Isabel was silent minute. then, IL
/
be honest. I'm going to tell Tom the
truth. never could be happy with
poor man now"
Tom Custer had locked at the Office
clock so many times that afternoon
that Mr. Nerrick. the Junior partner
said finally, Girl away. TomT
YES, sir"
Coming home todayT
YES sir"
81 thought So"
Mr. Merrick put on his hat. I'm
going home nov, and you'd better
make il II holiday, too, and quit nm
hour early, You'll want TO get candy
and flowers and do che right thing.
want 10 talk over things with YOU in
the morning."
Tom waited until the door closed,
then drew over the telephone. But
just as he gave the number the door
opened again. He looked around I'M
patiently. Miss Cartwright" he ex-
claimed.
Aunt Katie nodded a greeting.
"Wait a 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 ii 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 rake it.
Eight o'clock came. Miss Katie saw
Isabel glance from her magazine 70
the clock.
! Half-paSt eight
"That Miss Smertz, the society edi
tor OF the Herald. has bothered me
to death about you, so | gave her all
the information she wanted this morn
ing. There's a piece in tonight,
guess"
rs that SOP" Isabel was painfully
iisinterested. 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 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
it? "Mr. Thomas Custer, Of the firm
of Merrick & Merrick. left last night
on n business trip to Des Moines. He
expects 70 be gone a week."
The postman brought mail and there
was letter from Tom. She tore ii
open with feverish haste. Dear ISa-
bel" he wrote. ~ was sorry to have
10 leave just when you were coming
home, but | couldn't very well help it.
Ny 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 | know you will
understand know you had a pleas
ant visit. and hope TO hear all about
II before long Afectionately. Tom
Isabel crushed the letter into
ball and threw It onto the table. We'll.
like that" she cried furiously. and
rushed TO her own room crying.
st The end of two days Aunt Katie
remarked seriously: Say Isabel. why
don't YOU send Tom his ring while
he's away? II wouldn't be likely Ia
hurr him so much for he's having
good time and his mind will be on
club that he's staying with some very
rich friends Of the Mcrricks. and they
are up to their ears in society"
1--we decided 10 keep the ring"
said Isabel family And the next
morning II was hncl; In It's place on
her left hand
And after about hundred years the
week passed and Tom came home 10
find very humble. n very loving and
a f..I 4 ~