The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-04-19
A Slight
misunderstanding
By MARIAN YOUNG
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Fewspa-
per SyndicateO

Utmost euuluS one EuAldLIc II - - NAS
a calamity. OF course it had TO be
the left wrist; fate never chooses the
lesser of two evils.
On Natalie Carfield's left hand was
a make-believe engagement ring or,
10 be more exact. the diamond was
genuine and only the engagement was
make-believe. Natalie wore the ring
on her engagement finger out OF pure
love of mischief, and it was fun while
IT lasted But the end was bound 10
come, and ii brought misunderstand-
ing in its wake Everybody in Nata-
lies home town knew that the posi-
ton of the ring was only O girlish
Whim; but when she went among
strangers 1t was a different matter.
1t was while she was attending q
house party at Westbanks, the home OF
her friend. Margery Locke, that the
ring began to make trouble.
One of the guests at the house party
was Doctor Jack Claiming. How he
ever fell in love with Natalie without
knowing she was engaged is hard TO
tell.
Fate chose that day to decree that
Natalie should break her left wrist;
and as Doctor Charming was the only
physician who could be summoned, he
was obliged to set the broken member.
He set his lips fiercely and tried to
think she was an ordinary patient,
but Natalie's name rang in his ears.
Hurry up with it, Jack, please"
Natalie said bravely.
Jacks lips framed a reply, but 1t
was never uttered. For an instant his
hands slackened as he gazed at the dla-
mond which sparkled on Natalie's left
hand. That was all. He finished his
task deftly and swiftly.
"That will not take long to mend"
he said when he was done "And now
do you feel we'll enough to walk few
minutes with me?" He spoke coldly
and without expression; on his face
scorn, anger and pain were written to-
gether.
'I'm as good as new now. Shall we
60 down to the rlver?"
Anywhere"
They walked in silence for a few
minutes. Then Jack turned and faced
her.
Il did not know you were engaged,
Miss Garfield, until saw your ring n
short time ago. hoped to win your
love, but did not know Il was PROM
ised to another. Now I ask you, why
you led me on? 1t was not fair to me,
nor your fiance."
J Natalie laughed. She had feared that
Jack was angry over something really
serioRs.
"Oh, Jack, IL is so easy TO explain.
You see this ring really doesn't mean
anything" She pulled IL from her fin
ger. "Tm not going to wear It any
more Truly, Jack, 1t means nothing"
Then you will not tell me why you
led me on? Very well. won't trouble
you any longer"
He walked quickly away from her,
but she called him back.
Cant you be reasonable, Jack2
Why, the ring means so little to me
that I'd just as soon throw II away.
See" Natalie tossed 1t In the grass.
"Oh, Jack, you make me so angryl I
know you don't believe what I say"
She was almost crying, and she
didn't want him to know 1t SO she ran
toward the house. Jack picked ur the
ring she had thrown away and follow
ed her more slowly.
Natalie had gone In search Of her
friend and hostess, Margery Locke.
"Oh, Margery" she said when she
found her; I'm In an awful fix. and
want you to help me. Do you think
I'm engaged"
'Tve known all the time that you
weren't, dear, but I wouldn't let on.
You see, / am good at keeping secrets.
Don't you remember last summer /
went to see you and you weren't at
home? 1t was just after your uncle
sent you the ring, and your little
brother Billy told me you wore IT on
your engagement finger for a Joke.
But you haven't told me about the FIX
you are in yet"
"You dear old Margery! VIII Won
leh JAIN IldI you KNOW positively
that I'm not engaged? He thinks I've
been playing with him. viii you.
please?" begged Natalie.
"Of course will-right now, too"
That evening, while Natalie was
alone on the porch, she heard famil-
lar step approaching, and Jack ap-
peared on the ste0 below her.
1--WE come to ask you to forgive me,
dear, for doubling your word and TO
accept this" He held out a diamond
ring.
Natalie shook her head. 81 never
want to see that ring again. forgive
you, Jack. 1 ought not to have been
so silly as to wear 1t on my left hand.
Tn too old for such jokes"
Look at it a little closer before you
refuse to accept It."
"Why, it is set higher than mine, and
much prettier," Natalie exclaimed.
and held out her hand to Jack. "Win
Won alo w,Y,N rrn-A IA