Evening star., 1928-05-07
THE EVENING STORY

4
She placed before him black velvet
tray of gorgeous platinum rings, set
with diamonds Dinner rings" she
called them-all one price, Is cents.
Tim stood there, a big bulk OF a.
working man in shabby clothes. He
carefully compared the rings Some had
three diamonds. others had two or one.
He slipped them onto his work-bent lit
lie finger. and finally chose ? single
sparkling platinum setting. No man
ever showed more discrimination in
loved woman than did Tim in selecting
his l5-cent solitaire for Maggie.
No purple velvet box accompanied the
platinum purchase. Tim handed over
l0 cents, slipped the ring into his gap
ing coat pocket and left the red front
store
Theat evening he went to see Mag
gic. Tins visits we're green oases in
Maggie's sand -colored life. ali her days
had been spent in work for others She
was beginning to ponder things over in
her heart. She was waking UP 70 ti1o
tragedy Of age for youths soft lines
but not Of her longing for love auG
companionship.
She knew it was possible for a woman
to be married 20 years and still retain
bridey feelings. Why did the cruel
years combine all old face with young
heart Hadn't her cousin Ellen been
married to Mick Nolan for 20 years and
didn't she still Light UP to his affection
ate nonsense when he grabbed her into
the magic circle Of his arms and
whiTled her around the kitchen?
Awaiting Tins coming Maggie smiled
happily to herself as she went over
again in her mind the details OF hee.
happiness and the plans for her future.
Future meaning of course invisible Tim,
A characteristic whistle interrupted
Maggie's train Of thought. Tim was
coming.
i've something for you. Maggie" ar,
nounced Tim as he greeted her
Now whatever can 1t be?" futteFed
Maggie
Fish for it," suggested Tim, inY.t..
ingly holding open his pocket.
Maggie shut her Irish blue eyes and
put a tOil-seamed hand down into the
capacious coat pocket Tim closed MS
hand over hers and kept it willing
prisoner.
Finders havers." encouraged the
happy lover
Maggie felt the ring and pulled 1t
triumphantly forth. Tim watched her
every movement. Would she Ike his
Offering of love and brain-storm Sc
lection? He waited anxiously.
What beauty" exclaimed Mag
gle. Now I'm really and truly en-
gaged'
But alas. The ring would not go
down on Maggies work-swollen en-.
gagcmcnt finger. She slipped it on to
her little finger Tim protested and
suggested she change il for another~
Never" answered Maggie firmly.
you picked this out for me and thatSs
what's it's going to be--your choice.
Tim I want nothing better"
Yes, Maggie, I picked out the pref
tiest ring in the whole tray Tor you
And with a sly wink he added. 1T
took a weeks pay to buy it my dear;
but the wedding ring will eat Up a
months wages. en- Maggie?"
Now. Tim, you are making fun OF
me. You know / have often told yclt
We will have 10 live to the tune OF
your pocketbook. We can't live up 70
the Nolans. This ring is beyond price
to ne because it stands for our happi-
ness"
Maggie was unlike most women OF
her class who regarded the men ths2
love with complete self-abnegatlon and
entire confidence. Women VINO love
their men in a fierce unreaSoning way
Wllcn makes LtiStll csasol " SNA oAs IAIs-tls
cook and bear children for them sllE
they drop in their tracks. Maggies
love for Tim was foVeSeeing. protective
and maternal.
Words came easier to Maggie than TO
l Tim. If ne had been asked why he
I felt peace and contentmsnt in his love
I for Maggie he would have answered
/ he didn't know He Just did. II
I he could have r. zuafyZed his mature
emotions he .wojIia have discovered tbs.
ripe conviction that the fullest happi-
ness does not come TO youth. Then
there is too much straining at lfe's
cables The happiest period belongs TO
mellowed maturity when two persons
have learned mutual adjustment. Life
is lust swallowing and being swallowed =
1t did not require an analytical mind
for Tim TO know that Maggie was tine
only woman in the World for him. Or
he would work and toll and build tCs
Maggiel
"AIavoureen, nv life Is all lived fer
We whispered Tim. as he gathered
Maggie and the is-cent diamond plasfT
nun ring into his big Irish arms
tC0pyright 1921