Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1921-03-09

b HAROLD slNcLAIRE
9. 1924, Western Newspaper Union.

: = - q . =
Bart Wilson, at the jewelry coun-
ter, looked up in surprise as he heard
Daisy Martin ask falteringly: .1
What kind Of ring can I buy for
five dollars?'' - ~ ~ IL. TX
Not a very good one" he returned:
then as her pretty brown eyes filed,
he added, but you might give me
that much as q deposit, and pay the
Fest later" -. 49,.
n didn't know you ever sold goods
that way" Daisy said softly, and for
the first time Bart, smarting from
hurt given him by heartless city
girl who had firted with him during
the past couple Of months, noticed
how lovely the girltsh face was.
II never have" he said smiling, '''but
1t is never too'late to change my meth
DDS. Don't tell anyone about it, will
your" 49,
"Oh no, no." she cried in alarm,
"and you won't tell that have bought
it," and the tears started In her sweet
eyes.
why, surely not" he returned,
wondering at her emotion, and brisk
~ turning matters into a thoroughly
business channel, he pulled out a 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 to pay him
the other seven as she saw fit. He
laughed at himself a little scornfully
the rest of the day when the transac-
ton required to him, but by the next
forgot it, for his heart was still heavy
with the sorrow the city girl had
made for him.
Daisy came in a week later with q
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
er, they moved in different circles,
Bart being in one Of the older sets,
so 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 a
program made up of local talent, and
afterwards a dancing party. Bart,
who was very popular, danced with
the various bellies Of the place, but
began to notice that Daisy did not
seem to be asked, and so he inquired
of his partner why so pretty girl
as she seemed to be neglected.
"Oh, I don't know. She just doesn't
seem to take, I suppose, and then
since the talk about her ring, I guess
people think they had better know
just who she is going with before
they are seen with her."
t'What talk?" Bart gasped, skillfully
guiding his partner into recess as
the music ended, so she could con-
tinue her conversation.
"Why, she has a ring that she says
was given her by someone who cares
a 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 go 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
blazing. 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 it, Daisy?"
The girl turned, her sweet young
face changing from white to crimson
and then paling again, but she sale
nothing.
He turned to the tormentors. "Per
haps you will tell me the trouble"
"a mysterious person has given hel
a ring, and she won't tell who it u.s.
said the elder Of the young women.
Calmly, he took Daisy's little hand
on which appeared the offending ring
and drawing it through his arm sale
coldly: :.,t.
my dear, while thank you fol
keeping our engagement a secret, still
I think you have gone little TOT
far. AS you have respected m!
wishes not to have it known unit
after the first of the year, I'll solv'
the mystery Of this ring, and tell thes'
ladies, and they can spread the new:
all over town, that you obtained thi'
ring from me-" and with these ~word
he swept the astounded girl from tn
room.
"Get on your wraps" he told her
"and I will take you home," and h
waited in the hall, fully conscious o
the buzzing tongues inside as tn
news spread like wildfire.
"What made you buy the ring
Daisy, dear?' he asked. 5E:.~. -.
1.-THE girls say Pm too quiet for tn
boys, to like me, and thought if
had a pretty ring they would thin
someone out of town. cared for me.
"You poor little thing" he cried. q
wonder, darling" he whispered, bend
ing his head over hers, and pressin
her hand, IF you are willing to max
what safd tonight strictly frue?"