Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-03-18

Il didn't knew you ever sold goods
that way" Daisy said softly, and for
the first time Bart, smarting from a
hurt given him by heartless city
girl who had fllrted with him during
the past couple Of months, noticed
how lovely the girlish face was.
Il never have" he said smiling, but
1t is never too late to change my meth
DDS. Don't tell anyone about 1t, will
your
ION no, no." she cried in alarm,
"and you won't tell that have bought
III" and the tears started in her sweet
eyes
Why, surely not" he returned,
wondering at her emotion, and brisk
ly tuning matters into thoroughly
business channel. he pulled out tray
Of rings, and asked:
How high do you want to go?'
The girls eyes fingered upon a
dainty little pearl cluster ring, and
Bart finally let her have it at cost
twelve dollars, telling her 10 pay him
the other seven as she saw lit. He
laughed at himself little scornfully
the rest Of the day when the transac-
lion required to him, but by the next
forgot 1t, for his heart was still heavy
with the sorrow the city girl had
made for him.
Daisy came In week later with a
dollar, and he was somewhat sur
prised to see the ring on her finger,
for he had thought she was buying It
for someone else.
While the two lived near each 9TH
or, they moved in different circles,
Bart being In one Of the older sets,
50 he did not meet her socially until
the charity entertainment at Christ
mas in which all the young people Of
the town participated. There was II
program made up Of local talent, and
afterwards dancing party. Bart,
who was very popular, danced with
the various bellies Of the place, but
began to notice that Daisy did not
seem 10 be asked, and SO he inquired
Of his partner why 80 pretty girl
as she seemed to be neglected.
"Oh, l don't know. She just doesn't
seem to take. suppose, and then
since the talk about her ring, | guess
people think they had better know
just who she is going with before
they are seen with her"
what tslk?' Bart gssped, skillfully
guiding his partner into recess as
the music ended, SO she could con-
tnus her conversation.
why, she has ring that she says
was given her by someone who cares
great deal for her, and who knows
her better than anyone else. She
won't tell who that someone is, and
people are talking and the girl
threw up her head.
Bart looked serious, but said moth
ing. and excusing himself started to
cross the floor, intending to ask Daisy
to dance with him. He saw several
Of the older girls 90 up to the little
figure and evidently say something to
her that was not kind In its nature.
for Daisy sprang to her feet, her eyes
Then her head dropped and
she seemed to wilt as she resumed
her seat deJectedly.
In moment the young man was by
her side, asking gently:
What is 1t, Daisy?
The girl turned, her sweet young
face changing from white to crimson,
and then paling again, but she said
nothing.
He turned to the tormentors. "Per-
haps you will tell me the trouble"
"A mysterious person has given her
l ring, and she won't tell who 1t Is"
Iaid the elder of the young women.
Calmly. he took Daisys little hand,
IN which appeared the offending ring,
Ind drawing 1t through his arm said
oddly:
my dear, while I thank you fer
Iseping our engagement secret, still
think you have gone a little too
lar. AS you have respected my
wishes not to have 1t known until
Lfter the first Of the year. I'll solve
he mystery Of this ring, and tell these
aides, and they can spread the news |
IL over town, that you obtained this
ing from me-" and with these words
lie swept the astsunded girl from the
Dom.
Get ON your wraps" he told her.
and / viii take you home" and he
waited in the hall, fully conscious of
he buzzing tongues inside as the
ews spread like wildfre.
what made you buy the ring,
)alsy, dear?" he asked.
"The girls say I'm too quiet for the
oys TO like me, and ! thought II l
ad pretty ring they would think
omeone out of town cared for me-"
you poor little thing" he cried. Il
'onder, darling" he whispered, bend
az his head over hers, and pressing
er hand, "if you are willing to make
That ! said tonight strictly true?"
Daisy raised her ewes tn his Rart
altered her into his arms and cev-
red her soft lips with his own.
Daisy now has half dozen very
aluable rings, but prizes that little
earl cluster more than any, and she
nd Bart already have measured an
Their one on her little finger, a plain,
road behd, that be is to put on the
ny she Is eighteen, which viii also