The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-01-02

HER RING
BY MARION c. LEEsAM.


Dick is leaving New York and COM
ing home for a weeks %furlough," said
Betty Saunders to her sister.
Il know it." said Jean, looking up
from her knitting. II vas talking to
his mother yesterday. 1t doesn't inter-
est me, however"
"Oh. Jean. try to be nice to him this
week. He's going South to learn to
fly and then he's going to France. Why,
if ! were in your place I'd be planning
to give him the best time while he is
home. You can't do too much for those
fellows"
Il know it," said Jean pensively,
but he did treat me so that night at
the dance. just before he went away.
He paid attention to that Wentworth
girl half the night. Then he %pretends
he loves me. He doesn't know what
love is. I'll never forgive him. either"
II don't think he meant it," said
Betty. "You probably imagined it. l
know he's sorry you do not write him.
because he writes the bluest letters
home to his mother. Besides, you'd go
far and near to ind as nice a fellow as
Dick"
"Oh. Betty, dc stop raving over him.
l tell you I've changed entirely toward
Dick. think Jack Somers is more of
a man than Dick ever thought Of be-
ing"
With that. jean picked up her knit
ting and ungrily walked upstairs.
Meanwhile, Dick Fulton, comforta.
lily settling himself in the Pullman
hound for Boston. breathed II deep
sigh. whether OF relief no n knows.
He was glad he was going home.
After %squaring himself with his own
conscience he settled himself for forty
winks and knew nothing until he heard
the porter cry, Boston, all out!" He
pulled himself together and, grabbing
his grip, hurried out. watching anX-
iously for some one to meet him. "Of
course Jean wouldn't be there" he ar
gued to himself. Yet he half hoped
she had forgiven him. He hurried up
the platform and saw his mother, wait
ing for him. In back of her was Bet
ty, but Jean was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, Dick, I'm so glad to see you,"
said Betty. "Though you have only
heen away ten weeks it seems like a
year."
ut seems like that to me. too" said
Dick. plotting Betty on II side and
his mother on the other. II had hoped
Jean would NEE, me, but l suppose
that vas too much to expect"
I'm sorry" said Betty. II tried to
persuade her to come. l told her it
was no time to be worrying over such
petty things"
you're right" said Dick. ut is fool
ish. What do you say if W. stay in
town and have lunch and go to a
show?" Dick was bound he was going
to forget things for once.
II think I'll go home," said Mrs. Full
ton. You two go and have a good time"
After leaving Mrs. Fulton on the
train Dick and Betty started for an
evenings fun. First. they got tickets
at one of the best theaters and then
found a little cafe and had u nice din
ner.
Dick. I've been wondering about
Jean. It's too bad things are this way.
Can't something be done to fix it up?"
Dick looked at her earnest face,
never before realizing how strikingly
pretty Betty was. Then she had so
much sense, too. eve though she vas
only two years older than Jean. He
putred his cigar slowly, thinking very
deeply.
"IIl tell you what we can do" he
said with a happy thought. Lets go
ana pick out a diamond for JEAN I'll
take it to her and surprise her. 1
know she'll forgive me-"
"That would he fine," said Betty,
her face Frightening.
"What will fit your hand will fit
jeans. won't it?" said Dick as they sat
before the tray of dazzling stones, try.
ing to pick out just the right one.
Betty was as happy as though it
We're for herself. and many people
turned to admire the happy couple,
and Dick certainly looked manly in
his uniform. AS he watched her q pang
Went through his heart. Here was a
girl who cared and knew what love
was. Finally they picked out the one
that Betty declared was a beauty"
and Dick. stuffed it in his pocket. Then
they hurried to the theater.
81 know she'll love it." whispered
Betty while they were watching the
play.
do you think 500" said Dick. A
queer feeling anne over him as Betty
leaned near him, enjoying herself to
her hearts content. Betty has always
been a good friend of mine, but surely
I'm not falling in love with her, he
thought. He paid little attention to
the play, as he was battling out a prob
lem in his W mind.
When leaving Betty that night, after
what she pronounced a dandy time, he