The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-12-17
Her Engage
nlent Ring
~0
BY MYRTLE LEE

&. ByMYRTLE LEE
easNNNeNeeeeNeeN NNes>~N~e>eessSO
tcsDyrlsht. 1919. BY the Western News.
II paper Union.)
She had the daintiest, most shapely
hand ever seen, and Earle Warren
recognized 1t and flashed an admiring
glance at the same as Neva Burdette
mt drawing pictures for her little
brother Ned on q rustic table in the
garden pagoda. There had been q
lively, merry lawn party, and await
ing tea there was 4 breaking up into
various groups. Unostentatiously
and from choice Earle had kept near
to Miss Burdette and her close friends.
Alice and Muriel. Dodge. and their es-
corts. Neva had been his partner at
times and 1t had naturally followed
that they had remained together.
Little Ned had, however, discovered
somebody's sketch book, had extracted
some loose blank sheets and was in
sistent that Aunt Neva should amuse
him. She portrayed his favorite en-
CINE and train Of cars, a horse, an au-
Jtomobile and an airplane. Earle in
dicated an interest in this pictorial
display, but Miss Burdette told Ned
to hold his collection safe and tight.
directing to its presentment on ac-
count Of alleged crudeness.
"Just one more sheet" finally an
nounced Ned. ssOh, aunty! won't you
lot me draw something for your"
Certainly, dear" assented Neva.
Ned spread the sheet on the table.
"Now;" he said. II want to show you
something we do in school. You
just spread your hand down tight
over the paper. That's It. Now don't
you move it, and with pride and ac-
curacy Ned proceeded to trace the
skeleton outlines Of fingers and hand
clear to the, wrist. Then with satisfac-
ton he held 1t up. to her view. All
i 'Isn't that fine?" he challenged, and
Nsva smiled her approval. and just
then some one called to her from q
groupla little distance away, and she
fitted with a conscious flush as her
glance met that of Earle, betokening
interest manifestly IN all her move
ments. 81 Al, ~ Sd al
.'You can have this, Mr.. Warren,
because you're such a good friend to
Aunt .Neva," observed little Ned gen.
erously, extending the pencilled sheet
Then be ran away after q kitten cross-
Ing the path. and Earle casually
scanned the very fine outline of the
delicate hand Of the peerless creature
Of whom he was indeed the good
friend, and secretly hoped to make
some day q dearer one. Idly he took
ont his pencil and began mending the
breaks Ned had made in the out
lines. The pencil point crossed the
third finger Of the left hand and rest
ed there. In whimsical frame OF
mind Earle began to trace circlet
shout HE base Of that certain finger.
He smiled to himself as he pleasantly
recalled that Miss Burdette wore no
jewelry, predicting hopefully that she
was heart free. He gemmed the ring
with very fair diamond and started
Suddenly as voice spoke directly at
his ear, and there was michief-eyed
Alice Dodge leaning past his shoulder.
Drawing a ring on Neva's finger !"
dnrtered this very clever young wom-
IN. ''Why, and you have given her
an engagement ring. tool"
"She deserves one" observed Earle
quickly.
"Bolder and bolder! Oh. shall
tell her!' 5
'sWait! waltz" dissuaded Earle, but
the winsome sprite flashed away with
q tantalizing laugh.
Miss Alice did nothing Of the kind
She was an observant creature and
practiced as to matchmaking. It had
been no task whatever for her to dis
cover that Neva and Earle were IN
love with each other, but that her girl
friend was shy and retiring and the
lover seeking encouragement.
II shall hurry things along" We
hemently declared Alice, and day OF
two later had IN opportunity for p.ac'
ing plan she had formed in opera
ton. Neva had arranged to give 9
party to which all Of her friends, in
Guiding Earle, had been invited. Upon
the day preceding 1t Alice said to her
"Now, Neva, dear, you want to shine
your brightest on this occasion. I an
going to help you dress for the event
and here-this Will emphasize your
magnificence," and she pressed a ring
upon Neva'sg hand.
"Oh, not" demurred Neva instantly
sWhy, you have placed It on the en-
gagement finger!"
"And aren't you longing like every
other live girl we know to have one
there to stay" and Neva blushed hel
prettiest. Bothjof them met Earle the
next day as they passed down thu
street. As he greeted them he no
ticed the brilliant on Neva's finger.
l4 The party was an enjoyable occasion
to all save the hostess, for Earle die
not appear, nor did he come near thu
house for several days later.