folds of her dress wore the fatal ring. Of course, mused he, with a shrug, he might have guessed it. No such beauty as this was wandering unclaimed about the world. Well, her fiancé, whoever he might be, was a lucky devil! Without doubt, confound his impudence, his arm had traveled the pathway of that band of leather scores of times. 

 One couldn't blame the dog! For want of a better vent for his irritation, Bob took up the belt and again examined it. He had been quite safe in boasting that the bauble should be returned to its owner as good as new, for although he did not confess it, on its silver clasp he had discovered the manufacturer's name. If the buckle could not be repaired, another of similar pattern should replace it. Unquestionably he was a fool to go to this trouble and expense for nothing. Yet was it quite for nothing? Was it not worth while to win even a smile from this creature whose approval gave one the sense of being knighted? True, titles meant but little in these days of democracy but when bestowed by such royalty—  She broke in on his reverie by extending her hand.  "Good-by," she said.  "You have been very kind, Mr.—" 

 "My name is Morton—Bob Morton." 

 "Why! Then you must be the son of Aunt Tiny's brother?" 

 "Aunt Tiny!" 

 As she laughed he saw again the ravishing dimple and her even, white teeth. 

 "Oh, she isn't my real aunt," she explained.  "I just call her that because I am so fond of her. I adore both her and Willie." 

 "Who is takin' my name in vain?" called a cheery voice, as the little inventor rounded the corner of the shed and entered the room. "Delight—as I live! I might 'a' known it was you. Well, well, dear child, if I'm not glad to see you." 

 He placed his hands on her shoulders and beamed into her blushing face while she bent and spread the loops of his soft tie out beneath his chin. 

 "How nice of you, Willie dear, to come back before I had gone!" she said, arranging the bow with exaggerated care. 

 "Bless your heart, I'd 'a' come back sooner had I known you were here," declared he affectionately.  "What brings you, little lady?" 

 She pointed to the trinket dangling from Robert Morton's grasp. 

 "I snapped the clasp of my belt buckle, 

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