Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-03-08
Copyright, 1917, Western Newspap

sCoAs hC lul ClllS VI pollt ~
diligently upon the manifest mutual
sentiments of the couple. Rodney re-
garded Ivy as being ethereal. He
was so imbued with sense of her
priceless perfection that he grew abash-
ed when he dared to hope he was to
gain the love of this peerless creature,
naturally Of a shy nature, he had made
little progress in his lOvemaking.
There was to be a party ut the home
of Ivy, and about week before that
Rodney saw her home from church
social. AS they were about to part
at the garden gate he mustered up the
courage to disclose what had been ur-
gently upon his mind for many hours.
"Ivy," he said, "when 1 come to the
party at your house next Wednes-
day. want you to accept little keep
sake from me. Will you?"
"But you gave me a lovely bouquet
of roses only yesterday and"
"But this isn't roses. l want to give
you a ring"
ooh, ROdney-shocking" laughed
Ivy.
'It's coming from the city, where 1
have ordered it, and if you will only
wear it on your engagement finger"
"There Is mother calling. Good night,
Rodney" and Ivy fitted away, prob
ably happier than she had ever been
in her life.
"She did not say she wouldn't ac-
cept the ring" breathed Rodney cour-
ageously, and counted the hours till
the arrival Of the evening party. Ivy
received him with gracious smile
that set every nerve tingling, but as
the hostess Of the evening she could
give him no further exclusive atten-
ton. A Miss Lisle fell to his charge,
partly through the efforts of the young
lady in question to make it so, and In
all courtesy Rodney found himself set
tied as partner and escort for the Oc-
casion to that flashing beauty from the
city, temporarily visiting a married sis.
ter in ROcktOn.
Miss Lisle was siren in mild
way. While she despised what she
termed the crude social ways Of Rock
ton, she set herself up as desperate
flirt, and had half the girls by the ears
because of her audaciOus apprOpria'
ton of their beaux. Now 1t seemed
that she had set about the conquest OF
Ivy's poor lone lamb, who, although
thus singled out by the brilliant queen
of beauty, longed only for one mo-
ment's sweet converse with the rea
idol of his heart.
At last Rodney, watching his chance
saw Ivy dart through the doorway OF
darkened wing room to reach the
front hall as there were some arriv
ais. Rodney fastened into the unli'
apartment. He clutched an escaping
figure.
"The ringw he whispered ardently
"Here it Is. You will make me Sc
happy to wear 1t on your engagement
finger"
The yielding form futtered in hi
arms.
"YOu-you wouldn't kiss me, would
your" he added in wild desperation
A pair of lips met his own. He
seemed in paradise. Voices neared
They parted precipitately. Rodney has
tened back to a crowded room an(
sank to chair, feeling as IL the world
had been won. He was in such STATE
of rhapsody that he wished to b.
alone. He looked up with shock
He made out Ivy, and smiled ut her
She seemed to turn her back on him
She was speaking to Miss Isle. wh'
was animatedly f1Ourishing a ring OF
her engagement finger, and glancin,
knowingly in the direction Of Rod
ney.
The latter was crushed. He real
lied the truth in flash. He had no
met and kissed Ivy in the dark, but oh
fatal blunder, Miss Isle. She CAM
toward him now in her artful way o
gracefulness.
II have just been telling our dea
mutual friend. Miss Lane, Of you
pretty present" she said. "And oh
Mr.. Trumbull, I promised sister to b,
home by eleven. and 1t is now nearl.
midnight. Won't you see to m.
wraps" and almost without realizing
it Rodney was hustled out Of tn
house and Miss Isle was languishl.
hanging on his arm. prattling prett.
nothings In the mellow moonlight.
He hated himself as an arrant COW
ard as he left Miss Lisle at the doc
of her sisters home. She was flash
ing flame Of cOquetry, she plainly con
sidered that they were engaged, sh
insisted on his joining herself and he
friends In an auto drive the next aft
ernOOn.
81 will tell her plainly of the erro
she is laboring under. And l mus
see IVY" resolved Rodney. But whe
he rang at the door bell Of the Ian
home the next day, Mrs. Lane receives
him coldly and stated that Ivy was in
disposed. AS Rodney went out of tn
yard Ivy's father stepped up to hin
"Mr. Trumbull," he said sternly.
don't know what you have said 0
done to hurt my girls feelings, bu
you'll either mend them or stay ava
from here after this"
Rodney made one final but unsuC
cessful effort to reach Ivy. He wen
to the office of a cousin Of hers, VIII
called Ivy up on the telephone an
then passed the receiver to Rodney.
Its me, Ivy" began Rodney. tumu
tuously. "And = want to explain
The air became void. Ivy had hun
up the receiver.