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Show $ f t Ring or River? $ r $ JESSIE SHERWIN i ... I Ifl&Wjl&n !ef (Copyright, 1316. by W. G. Chapman.) ' "We are very glad you have come and you are truly welcome, Mr. Warden, War-den, or shall I call you Albert? You know your mother is the dearest friend of mine. Yours brought my father and mother together years ago, and if it hadn't been for that you would not be here today, nor I either." The young man gazed studiously into in-to the friendly, intelligent eyes of the speaker. She was not pretty, in fact any of the girls scattered about the lawn excelled her in loveliness, but there was something genuine and charming in all that she said and did. "As I understand," went on Mary Hope, "I am to be your guide, guardian and chaperon. When we speak of you It is always as if you were almost a relative, so I can be right out sisterly with you, can't I, Albert?" "You set me at ease, you make me very happy," spoke Albert Warden in his usual blunt, honest fashion. "You see, I have been a bookworm. I don't know what tennis is. As to the girls, I am afraid they will think me rather crude, for I have never- had much experience ex-perience with them." "Indeed!" responded Mary with dancing eyes. "Now we can sit on this rustic bench for a few minutes until the game begins and I will post you." Thereupon she proceeded, to designate, desig-nate, Individually and specifically, the members of the merry quartet on the lawn. "That one," said Mary, after expatiating expati-ating on the merits of the others and indicating a young girl promenading She Sat for a Moment Dumbly. with aa overdressed fellow of her own age, "Is taboo. Remember that, Albert." Al-bert." ' "And what does 'taboo' mean In this Instance?" Inquired Albert "Jusf this: She is engaged." "To (he fellow with her?" "Oh, dear, no! You don't like his Iqoks, I see. Well, to be frank with you, neither do I. He is Gregory Milne and an old discarded lover of the girl with him. Etta Vincent. Her fiance is away for two months and Milne has haunted her ever since. Her fiance is a jealous man, and it has seemed to me all along that Milne Is pressing his unwelcome attentions on Etta just to make trouble. When Gordon Massey returns " "Who?" challenged Albert, with a quick start. "Mr. Massey, Etta's (lance. Why, do you know him?" "He was my closest chum at college," col-lege," explained Albert and he surveyed sur-veyed the rival lover thoughtfully. He was admiring, grateful and attracted at-tracted by the trouble Mary took to make him at home at tennis. She was older than most of the girls, and as hostess seemed to be some gracious lady chatelaine, with the thought only of making everybody happy. Mary began to do some serious thinking, however, as the pleasant days drifted by. Unmistakably to her mind Albert had gone directly against her suggestions. He was courteous to all, but the tabooed girl seemed to have fascinated him. Whenever he could he was with her and Etta appeared to be pleased with his attentions. Milne was furiously incensed, for Albert constantly constant-ly forestalled him in securing the company com-pany of Etta. It was in the thoughts of Mary more than once to spenk. with Albert on the subject of his flirting, or courting, -whichever it was, with Etta Vincent. There was a delicate construction of unfaithfulness to his friend Massey In his action. "It may be a passing fancy," concluded con-cluded Mary. "If not, my Influence would not deter him, I fear." To herself Albert was more than courteous. Mary had lost a pet dog. It was missing for a week. She was wild with delight when Albert restored it, as she knew after, trouble and expense. ex-pense. "You kind, good friend!" she declared de-clared exuberantly and seized both of his hands in a transport of rapture. She noted a quick breathing expression expres-sion crossed his face. He bent toward her as, if to kiss her. "Oh, no! No!" Bhe demurred, holding hold-ing away. "I was thinking we were 'nearly relatives'!" he quoted and seemed sorely disappointed. Unconsciously that strange episode had drawn her nearer to him. In a measure she resented the manner In which Etta Vincent boldly appropriated appropri-ated this manly young knight arrant! (t was a sunny afternoon, and, for a wonder, as Albert entered the Hope grounds he found Mary alone with some fancy work on a rustic seat. She laid aside her work with a welcome smile. She rapidly glanced at his face. It was earnest and serious. She wondered won-dered what was troubling him. "I have come to see you about a matter mat-ter very close to my heart," he said with unusual gravity. "Indeed?" she murmured encouragingly. encourag-ingly. "I am In love, Mary," he frankly confessed. con-fessed. "I am going to tell that to the object of my affection." A quick pain crossed the heart of Mary. "Mr. Massey is coming home tomorrow," tomor-row," she spoke involuntarily. "Yes, I know that," replied Albert carelessly. "I shall be glad to see him, and he me. But that which I have disclosed at present excludes him from my thoughts. Tell me, how shall I approach the lady of my love, you, my good, kind guide and mentor?" "Why, don't think out a set speech," rallied Mary, trying to be calm and merry. "Why not?" "You will be sure to forget it when the crucial moment comes." "Then what shall I do?" "Love will find the right words love and the engagement ring." "Yes," said Albert steadily, "I have provided that. If she refuses me it is easy to cast the ring Into the river and seek to forget her In some distant place. Mary, I want you to post me, to rehearse my declaration with me." "Why, surely," acquiesced she. Albert walked away a few paces. He returned and sat down beside her. "Mary," he hegan, "I have something to say to you " "Why not use the name of your prospective pros-pective fiancee?" she questioned. He paid no attention to her words, but proceeded: "I love you. I have loved you from the very first moment. Don't you understand? un-derstand? To protect the claims of my dear friend, Gordon Massey, and to drive off that pestering Milne, Etta and I entered Into a plan. Mary, is it the ring or the river?" She gasped, she paled, she sat for a moment dumbly, regarding her earnest-faced suitor. Then she broke forth: "You mean me?" "Could I mean any other!" he cried. "From the first moment you. Night and day you. All through life you and you alone, If you will have It so!" She sat overwhelmed, as her heart beat a glad Joyous throbbing. "The ring or the river?" he asked, almost solemnly. Slowly her dainty hand reached toward to-ward him. He placed a resplendent circlet upon the long tapering finger. He imprinted a kiss upon finger and ring alike. She turned toward him, her eyes shining with happy tears. "My only heart's love!" he whispered whis-pered with fervor, and she rested in his arms and her lips met his. |