Gilpin observer., 1920-05-20
THE PROMISE
RING.
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE.

others come around. I've wanted to
sneak to you all this afternoon, Dut
did not have the chance. Miss Clare
/ shall be back in town next week.
Then you must find time to listen u
me about matter that lies directly
next to my heart"
Pretty Myrtle Glare looked sur
prised, confused, almost frignteneu.
1t was at lawn party and all the
afternoon she had noticed Walter
Pierce fidgetting about in her vicinity.
He was a quiet, bashful sort Of
young man, and while he now spoke
the strain of some deep emotion was
evident.
Il don't understand. Mr.. PIERCE
said Myrtle, half surmising that In
preliminary way he was making love
to her.
Pierce was hurried, almost inco-
herent, for at any moment Others
might intrude upon the bush-shielded
spot where they were. He pressed
close to Myrtle in his agitation even
seizing her hand and speaking In low
but vehement accents.
MY happiness, my future depends
upon my telling you ALL" he whis-
pered. "If you fail me shall be
wretched. 1t will be next Thursday.
At the little park spot where the juno
ton roads meet. Oh, say that you
will be there at two in the after
noon."
"But-why-I cannot comprehend"
But you will Gomez" implored
Pierce. "Oh, say so! Really, you
must You are a good, kind-hearted
girl. Everybody says SO. Promise!
All, some one is coming. Here. Take
this. 1t is pledge. 1t will be your
promise ring. Next Thursday at two
o'clock"
With that Pierce vanished as merry
voices told Of others approaching.
They passed by Myrtle without no.
ticing her. She stood rooted to the
spot, lost in variety Of emotions she
could not subdue. She looked down
at the golden circlet with eyes Won
dering and distended. A promise
ring generally covered an arrange
ment where an engagement in time
was to follow.
Had she pledged herself to Walter
Pierce through her silence and be-
wilderment? All in a rush Pierce
had fairly carried her off her feet.
She did not dislike him, but Lowell
Myrtle flushed and pulsated as she
thought of Elwyn Brooks, who Of all
her young male acQuaintances was
most close to her as dear, dear
friend-and something more.
ut can't be that Mr.. Pierce Is in
1T is ridiculous 10 suppose SO. II he
was he had time to say so. No, no, l
won't believe 1t. 1t must be concern
ing something else he wishes to speak
to me about. I'll wear the ring just
for the novelty of the thing, and I
will meet him as he wishes just be-
cause l am curious and Interested
Maybe he is in some trouble and
needs counsellor, cOnsoler." and
gentle, innocent Myrtle tried to feel
quite sisterly and compassionate.
Her sister Vivian noticed the golden
circlet as they were in their room
that night. 1t had been placed on the
engagement finger and Vivian's eyes
expressed decided interest.
Vivian was the exact opposite of
Myrtle. She was of regal beauty and
her manner did not make her ap-
proachable by the opposite sex. She
rather chilled by her supposed
hauteur, which, however, was really
the mask of warm, generous nature
but had become confirmed manner
ism.
"A new ring?" she suggested inter-
rOgatingly.
"Why, yes; promise ring, Vivian.
II belongs to Walter Pierce"
A half suppressed gasp issued from
the lips of Vivian. She paled. Then,
like one turned to marble, she pre-
tended to busy herself, putting away
the jewelry she wore and spoke not
another word. The mother of the
girls entered the room Mt that moment
and the full effect OF the extraordinary
demeanor Of her sister was lost on
Myrtle.
And now trouble came to poor, sym.
pathetic Myrtle. A hint of the prom
lse ring led to surmise and exaggera-
ton and Elwyn Brooks received a dis
torted notion of the circumstance. He
avoided Myrtle and the Clare home,
while Vivian became strangely silent
and dOwncast.
"Oh! ! must see this Walter Pierce
and give him back the ring, and tell
him i do not care for him and get
this troubling matter Strengthened
out" determined Myrtle, and at two
o'clock Thursday afternoon she was at
the rendezvous Of the appointment.
Il nm so glad you have come"
spoke Pierce at once. IT felt from
fha first TINT ronr Lind bo. - ......,,