THE RING
When Lilian entered the apartment at the hall door, she peeped into
the front room and saw her father working at his desk. Her mother
had evidently retired. She knew better than to disturb her father
when he was working on a case. He would be patient, but it was a
real interruption at such times. She only tapped gently on the door,
saying, “Good-night, Father, I’m in,” and waited till he turned his
head, nodded and smiled, and turned again to his work. “I’m afraid
he will forget, as he does sometimes, and then Mother will wake up
and ask him if I’m in. I believe I’ll leave my wraps inside the
door—there. If anybody does any prowling around, they’ll see my
wraps.” With which ungrammatical remark, Miss North retired to her
room, but not to sleep—yet. She had been so engrossed in the words
and presence of her lover that she had not yet half looked at the
ring, though she had seen that it was beautiful. Turning on her
light, she held up her hand with the flashing gem upon it. “Oh, you
dear Philip boy,” she said, “to get that exquisite thing for me!”
But Lilian was big enough to value more than the clear diamond the
sincere love of the giver, and slipped into her warm nest under the
blankets to lie awake a long time, and go over the new, sweet story
that Philip had told her once and again. Her little prayer was one
of gratitude and her last thought was, “I shall see Philip
tomorrow.”
In the morning, Mrs. North tapped on Lilian’s door and came in to
visit with her. Lilian gave her mother a warm hug and then slipped
her left hand into her mother’s. “Look!” said she.
“Oh, Lilian—just what I was afraid of!”
“Is it so dreadful, Mother?”
“Oh, no, my child, but you are so young to be engaged.”
“Not if you are sure, Mother. Besides we do not intend to be married
for some time. I am not so _terribly_ young, either. And I don’t see
what possible objection you could have to Philip.”
Mrs. North smiled. “I liked him very much. He is unusually
attractive, and his face is good as well as handsome.”
“That’s a dear mother! But I accepted the ring, Mother, with the
understanding that if you and Father felt too bad about it I would
not wear it, and we would not announce the engagement. But we can’t
help caring for each other. I tried not to, because I thought Philip
liked Ann Maria; and he was so polite to everybody that I thought
his attentions to me might not mean anything.”
“Well, little girl, I’ll talk to your father, and see what he says.
It was very dear of you to be willing to wait in regard to the ring,
and the acknowledged engagement.” Mrs. North kissed Lilian, patted
the little hand that wore the ring, and went out to talk to her
husband.
“What do you think, Father?”
The judge considered a moment. “How old is Lilian?”
“Eighteen last month. And girls aren’t as grown up now as they used
to be.”
“Oh, yes, they are. They just go to school longer. Well, Mother, I’d
rather this hadn’t happened right now, of course. On the other hand,
this young fellow has the qualities that would always appeal to
Lilian; he is a good, clean boy, and will have means enough to
support her. A father always has to think of that, you know. He is
going into business with his father, unless that war over in Europe
finally gets all our young men. It looks as if we should be in it
pretty soon. How do you think Lilian would feel if she were not
engaged to Philip and he goes to France?”
“She would probably be better satisfied to be openly engaged to him,
for she seems to care for him so much. But how is one to know!”
“How does anybody know? How old were you when we were married,
Mother?”
“Twenty.”
“And we had been engaged a year. This is not so much worse, is it?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“You talk it over with Lilian, Mother. Whatever you decide is
acceptable to me. I like the young man and the family, and we do not
want to spoil Lilian’s happiness. On the other hand, I do not like
long engagements, if they can be avoided. Lilian has two or three
years of school, Philip this one, and then business—or war.”
“So the learned judge wants his wife to decide after all.”
“Yes. I get enough experience in that line.”
At breakfast they all talked on general topics. Dick had had Louise
Van Ness out to a concert the night before, and reported on the
program, asking Lilian where she and Philip had gone. Plans for
Christmas and New Year’s were discussed. Lilian had taken off the
ring before coming to the table. No need to tell Dick until the
matter was decided. Judge North and Richard departed for the city in
due time, while Lilian and her mother were making the “house” neat.
Lilian told her mother the latest news from Greycliff, with much
interesting chatter about the Psyche Club, Virgie’s plans, the class
work, and other activities. Very sweet and womanly was Lilian this
morning. Finally, each found some bit of Christmas handwork to do,
and sat down in the living room to discuss the important topic.
“I am trying to think it out, Lilian,” said Mrs. North. “I think
that you know how I feel about it. We realize that it is important
and serious to you both, and something about which you will finally
decide yourselves. And both your father and I appreciate your fine
attitude of consulting with us, and listening to our advice for the
present. Your happiness and welfare are our first concern. Do you
think that if you wear the ring this one happy week among the
relatives, you could lay it off during the rest of the school year
at Greycliff? I feel pretty sure that Miss Randolph would prefer it.
I want you to be a real school girl this year, yet now it is too
late to go back to the old relation with Philip. Do you think that
you can get your lessons as well?”
“Oh, yes! I’ll not be worrying about Ann Maria now, especially if I
may wear the ring here!”
Lilian had scarcely finished her sentence when the telephone
sounded, and she dropped her work into her chair while she ran to
answer it. There was somebody at the other end of the line who
brought out a pleased smile on Lilian’s face as she listened. “Oh,
yes, we are up, and just sitting working on Christmas things. How
can I answer that over the telephone? Yes, I think you’d better come
over at once. All right, wait a minute—Mother, can we go out to
lunch with Philip?”
“Most happy,” said her mother.
“Yes, Philip, she will; says ‘Most happy.’ Yes, it is pretty
_nearly_ all right. Come over and talk to her about it. Very well.
Goodbye.”
Lilian came back smiling mischievously. “I told him to come over and
talk it over with you. He is afraid to do it, I know.”
“Naughty child, you know that I can’t say anything disagreeable to
him.”
“You won’t want to. Philip Van Buskirk is warranted to melt the
hardest heart.”
“Yours, my daughter, was not hard to begin with!”
“It was adamant to every suitor till Philip appeared on the scene!
Picture, if you can, the mid-Victorian Lilian scorning her suitors,
but fainting in the arms of the true hero.”
“What is the name of your melodrama?”
“The Cruel Parent, or the Fate of Lilian North.”
Lilian was her gay self. Philip was coming. Her parents liked him,
however doubtful they might be of the wisdom of an engagement. There
would be more than a week in which to wear the beautiful ring. This
itself would announce to the circle of Philip’s relatives the new
relation. Then she and Philip could write during the months of
separation, while they finished the school year. There would be
vacations and all sorts of good times ahead. What a lovely world—for
Philip loved her!
It took a little courage on Philip’s part to arrange this luncheon,
but no effort was too great to win and please Lilian’s mother.
Cathalina had heard him telephoning, the last few sentences, as she
came into the library where he was. “Wasn’t that Lilian?” she asked.
“Yes, dear sister; I am inviting Mrs. and Miss North to go out to
lunch with me.”
“Not going to ask us, too?” asked Cathalina, a little surprised.
“Not this time, Kit; the combination would be too much under the
circumstances.”
“What do you mean, Philly?”
“I’ll tell you. Come over here, Cathalina.”
Philip led Cathalina to the window-seat where he and Lilian had
visited more than once, during the house party of the previous
summer.
“Cathalina, I asked Lilian to marry me last night.”
“Oh, Philip. And did she say she would?”
“Yes, but she wasn’t sure what her father and mother would think
about her being engaged so young. She has heard them discuss those
matters. I don’t know what she has said to her mother about it, and,
of course, her father will not be home until night; but I couldn’t
stand it to wait, so I called up and asked Lilian and her mother to
go to lunch with me. Don’t you hope Mrs. North will be good to me?”
“Don’t worry. She will, I’m sure. Does Mother know?”
“I told her the other day that I was in love with Lilian, but I
think that it was no news to her. I suppose she saw it last summer.”
“Were you really, Philip, last summer?”
“Indeed I was.”
“It is so dear of you to tell me about it. I thought when you asked
me about whether Lilian cared much for those other boys that you
must care a good deal, and I have been so glad that Lilian liked
you. I could tell.”
“That was more than I could. But it’s all right now. How will you
like Lilian for a sister?”
“She is lovely, and we girls that live with her know. You are both
crazy about music, and both—Oh, everything is perfect about it. I’m
crazy to see her. But I don’t wonder you want to have them to lunch
alone till you know how you stand with Mrs. North. Are you going to
tell Mother about it?”
“Right away, before I go.”
“That is good—I think that she will be pleased.”
“Mothers are not always so pleased, but she likes Lilian; she told
me so.”
The luncheon went off successfully, Philip and Mrs. North feeling a
little more at home together. That evening, also, Philip appeared
again at the apartment, and Judge North took his hand at the door.
Putting his other hand on Philip’s shoulder, he asked. “Is this the
young man that wants to marry my little girl?”
“Yes, sir,” said Philip promptly and with dignity.
“Well, you could do worse!” concluded the judge, to Philip’s
astonishment and amusement. The judge laughed, too, saying, “Here,
Lilian, tell him what your mother’s conclusions are. We men have
small chance, Philip, small chance,” and Judge North shook his head,
pretending to be very solemn.
Lilian had her wraps at hand, for Philip was taking her to an
entertainment. It was to be Broadway tonight.
Cathalina was over the next morning, The girls had an exciting visit
in Lilian’s room, talking over the great event, looking at the ring
which expressed so much, and recalling past incidents.
“Do you remember that time when Philip arrived at camp just in time
to see you beat me in tennis?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Campbell told me then that Phil had a difficult problem on his
hands, choosing between his sister and ‘best girl,’ but he thought
that the ‘best girl’ stood first.”
“You don’t care, do you, Cathalina?”
“Not a bit. It is different, Lilian. Now I might fall in love
myself, you know. And I’ll have Phil for a brother to be proud of
always. This is so romantic; but you ought to have a great deal more
of trouble, to have it like a story, you know.”
“I’ve had all the worries I want, Cathalina Van Buskirk, and it is
terrible that I can’t wear his ring all the time!”
“But just think what a sensation it will make at the Christmas
gathering at our house.”
“Am I going to be there?”
“Of course you are. Aren’t you going to be in the family? Two years
ago when Hilary was visiting me, Cousin John had his sweetheart
there. And I know a secret about Christmas, too. Phil told me. If
you can’t wear a ring because it marks you as engaged, you can wear
something else, can’t you?”
“Why, yes! I hadn’t thought of that. I wonder what it is. Can I wear
it all the time?”
“Yes, if you want to.”
“He oughtn’t to give me anything more. The ring takes my breath
away, as Phil did last night. Do you think I’m silly, Cathalina?”
“No, Lilian. It would be dreadful, with Phil thinking so much of
you, if you could not care for him.”
“I wish old Hilary were here. I wrote her a tiny note this morning,
before you came.”
“She ought to be at the family dinner, too, but I imagine it won’t
be many years before she will. Campbell was struck with her that
very time. We shall miss Campbell. I suspect that he is on his way
to Cincinnati now. But I suppose you know all about their plans.”
“Hilary and I are very confidential, of course, but Hilary is shy
about her love affair, and does not say much about Campbell. She
writes him a long letter every week, though, and I think he writes
oftener.”
Mrs. Van Buskirk came alone to call on Lilian and her mother that
very afternoon. She was sweet and motherly to Lilian, and expressed
her pleasure in the arrangement. The entire North family were
invited to the family dinner at the Van Buskirk’s on Christmas
evening, but Mrs. North felt uncertain about herself and the judge,
for Christmas was a home day to Judge North. Lilian promised to be
there, and Mrs. Van Buskirk told her laughingly that indeed she
could not help herself, for Philip would be after her. Richard would
speak for himself later.
The North home was well decorated these vacation days, for Philip
either brought or sent flowers every day. Mrs. North insisted that
Lilian’s health would be undermined by the extravagant boxes of
candy which came, and new music, both classic and “rag-time,” found
its place upon Lilian’s piano. Such a happy time it was. Philip
accompanied Lilian, or at the Van Buskirk’s Cathalina accompanied
them both, or Lilian played a violin obligato while Philip sang and
Cathalina was at the piano.
On the night of the customary Christmas gathering, Philip drove over
early for the Norths. The judge had concluded to go. “We might as
well get acquainted with the relatives, Mother,” said he. Lilian had
been at home with them for the day, and Philip had been over only
once, bringing another little tribute early in the morning and
saying his “Merry Christmas” to them all. Judge North stated once or
twice that they were going to miss Philip as much as Lilian when the
vacation ended. “Philip is getting to be a habit,” said he. The most
fragrant pink roses of all that Philip had sent came for Lilian to
wear to the family dinner.
They found the Van Nesses there when they arrived. Little Charlotte,
older but just as pretty and spoiled, seized upon Philip at once and
was greatly taken with Lilian. “Are you one of our cousins?” she
asked.
“She is going to be, Charlotte,” replied Philip for Lilian. “Sit
here between us and I’ll tell you about it.”
“Oh, yes! It will be like Juliet and John. Do you like her, Philip?”
“I should think I do, Charlotte.”
“Do you like Philip, Lilian?”
“Do you, Charlotte?”
“Oh, everybody likes Philip. Of course I do.”
“So do I.”
Meeting so many aunts, uncles, and cousins was somewhat exciting to
Lilian, though she enjoyed it. But she knew how interested they all
were in Philip’s choice. Many of the younger people she had met in
the summer, and they greeted her as an old friend. Naturally
graceful, and of a frank, friendly disposition, Lilian gained the
approval of the assembled family. Ann Maria saw the flashing ring at
once, and asked Philip if congratulations were in order. When he
replied that they were she said, “Then you have mine, Philip,” and
went up to Lilian, saying in a low tone, “Welcome into the family,
Lilian.”
Nothing but the ring and Lilian’s presence indicated the engagement,
but Mrs. Van Buskirk was especially thoughtful of Lilian and saw
that she met all the friends at this annual family reunion. There
were several packages for Lilian on the Christmas tree, among them
the gift from Philip to which Cathalina had referred.
Philip stood near as Lilian opened the package, so prettily tied.
“Your chains,” he explained gravely. “Let me put them on, please.”
“‘My chains!’ Oh!” Lilian laughed, as she took from the cotton two
dainty gold circlets for her wrist. “Bracelets—how delicate and
pretty. You have the most exquisite taste, Philip.” Cathalina came
up just then, and Lilian held up her wrist, shaking her arm. “Hear
them clank, Cathalina? Phil says these are my chains.”
“They are what I said you could wear all the time, you know,” said
Cathalina.
“I shall, day and night.”