The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-10-25
RINGLESS THIRDFINGER
Reconstruction of a Heart Not
Always Painful.
aY KArHERiNE HoPsoN.

M tlOTOONs
1T isn't my heart so much as my
pride that is hurt, but either way, it
means readjusting my whole life; and
reconstruction is always painful,
thought Judith Cameron as she looked
down at her now ringless third finger,
where for seven long years, Don Bar
lows diamond had sparkled.
They had been classmates IN col
lege, and had become engaged the
summer after their graduation. The
following fall, Judith had accepted
position to teach in the high school
of her home town, and Don had en-
tered law school. Both we're deter
mined that he should become estab-
lished In his chosen profession before
their marriage. After Don finished his
course, he secured through his fathers
influence, a good position in the Office
of an old family friend. But here, in
spite of his fine opportunity, Don had
failed. as yet, to make good.
At the end of seven years Of patient
waiting, Judith was forced to admit
that he lacked true ambition and the
II was this fact, more than the rumors
Of his surreptitious attentions to the
pretty, frivolous sister of his law part
ner, that caused Judith to suggest
breaking their engagement, which Of
fer Don accepted with ill-concealed re-
lief
Shortly after this, through the influ-
ence of friends in Oklahoma City, Ju-
dith was offered a position as teacher
of science. Longing for the relief Of
new environment. she decided to ac-
cept.
But I'm afraid chose an unfavor-
able time to come as far as seeing the
country is concerned" she thought as
she rubbed the steam from the car
window and peered anxiously out at
the flooded landscape. 1T looks as II
1t had always rained and always
would" With a shiver she watched
the steady downpour.
Almost even with the track flowed
the red, clay-stained water; and tele-
graph poles were already halfway
submerged. Here and there. on some
high elevation, showed ruins of corn
or cotton crops, and, occasionally, q
persimmon-tree lifted its fruit-laden
branches out of the sea of water, like
a spectral Christmas tree.
With a sigh, Judith turned away and
wrapped herself more closely in her
travelling coat, closing her eyes with
the determination to shut Jut all
sights and sounds.
The train seemed fairly to crawl
over the ties, and. every now and then
was Obliged TO stop. while the track
ahead was being tested
I'VE can't possibly get to Oklahoma
City before midnight at this rate. Thai
will be cheerful indeed with no one to
meet mel" thought Judith, and the
frown of perplexity deepened between
her eyebrows. II must have lost my
nerve somewhere out there in the
rain" she added with a rueful little
smile.
The other passengers were looking
at magazines or sitting in attitudes o.
bored patience. Every one felt trieC
by the delay.
At last the ceaseless beating OF raiT
dhu<ilbt NuO WAnuOWb ndu u bOONuiul
eject, and resting her head against I
pillow, Judith closed her eyes. Fo
some time she slept, till she wal
awakened by a harsh voice Of thu
brakeman calling "Tulsal" Many o
the passengers streamed out to pat
roniEe the eating-house. glad of an!
diversion.
Several new passengers entered th,
train, and Judith watched them idly
without interest. AS one man place,
his suitcase across the aisle from heI
she glanced at him carelessly, thel
something about the shape OF his hea,
seemed strangely familiar. She leaner
forward in amazemnt.
''He looks like Frank Leedford; tina
is certainly who 1t isl" she declared.
She had not seen him since thei