The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-01-04
MISS kATlE's SCHEME
by OLIVER Brown.

buttoned q glove before she answered:
"Fihel ] never lived before!"
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 II he heard TT"
II mean every word ! say. II you
could only see how the Pattersons live
and what Jeans friends are like
Why. Auntie, I 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 a cry Of dismay. Where
is your engagement ring, lsabel?"
'''It's in my bag. Do you think I
was going to wear 1t for those people
to seer Jeans sister Is engaged to
Donald McCrum. and her engagement
ring Is worth a fortune. ! wish you
could see It."
Her aunt sighed. "well. what are
you going to do about 1T"
Isabel was silent a minute, then, II
think. Aunt Katie, that It's best to
be honest. I'm going to tell Tom the
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,
,afd finally, "Girl away, TomT
"Yes, sir"
Coming home todayfn
"Yes. SIR" o.
II thought So"
Mr.. Merrick put on his hat. I'm
going home now, and you'd better
make 1t a holiday. too, and quit an
hour early. You'll want 20 get candy
and lowers 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 as he gave the number the door
opened again He looked around i'm
patiently. Miss. CstxsUhtr he sE-
claimed.
Aunt Katie nodded greeting.
"Wait q minute. Tom. Don't call Isa-
bel Just yet. I want to tell you some
thing first. You'll hate me forever,
but It's got TO be done, and ! guess l
can stand It II 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 be would take 1t.
Eight O'Clock came Miss Katie saw
Isabel glance from her nsUAzine to
the clock.
Half-past eight
"That Miss Smertx. tho Sspsis0 edi.
tor Of the Herald. hns tskAesa me
to death about you, % ! eavS AWr all
the Information she wastsa 0as morn
Ing. There's q piece In tonish, !
guess"
us that sow Isabel WIS Pain1ally
di~sinterested. But she wa saying .
herself: "Then Tom does know TN
home. I 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 - 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 q sfye-line announcement
Of her return. Tom may not have seen
the other, but he would surely know
now. But what was that right under
1T "Mr. Thomas Custer. Of the firm
OF Merrick & Merrick, left last night
on a business trip Ia Des Moines. He
expects to be gone a week"
The postman brought mail and there
was a letter from Tom. She tore II
open with feverish haste. rDear Isa-
BEL" he wrote, II was sorry to have
to leave Just when you were coming
home. but I couldn't very well help 1t.
Ny: chance for success rests with the
Merricks. and I must please them FIRST.
Money comes FIRST In the world. you
know; sentiment. after all. Is a sec
ondary thing. and I know you will
understand. I know you had a pleas
ant visit, and I hope to hear all about
1t before long. Af~ectionately, Tom"
Isabel crushed the letter into a
bail and threw It onto the table. "Well.
like that" she cried furiously. and
rushed to- her " room crying.
At the end Of two days Aunt Katie
remarked seriously: "Say, Isabel. why
don't you send Tom his ring while
hs's. away? 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"
live decided to keep the ring
said Isabel family. And the next
morning II was back In Its place on
her left hand.
Ana saftor ahout n voors fhn