The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-19

door. and her heart began to beat
furiously. For the first time in her
life she was thoroughly frightened.
lnstinctively she looked about for
some place of concealment. There
was nc chance of escaping. for the
only door was the one opening into
the hall. while the windows were 90.
curely nailed down.
Panic-stricken. Mary glided behind
Q couch near which she had been
standing. and crouched low.
The man--from the heaviness Of
the footsteps she knew 1t was man.
though she dared not look to see for
fear Of revealing her presence to him
entered the room. and began walk
ing to and fro. moving the furniture
az II searching for something.
Mary repressed cry Of fear when
he finally approached the couch. But
he did not attempt to move the heavy
piece Of furniture.
Next she heard q peculiar sound.
and. nattening herself upon the floor.
she took surreptitious peep frOm
beneath the couch. running the risk
of immediate discovery. for the man
ives on his hands and knees not far
from the couch; his face. fortunately.
was turned from her.
"ie must be insane" Mary thought
wildly. as she shrank back instinc-
lively. "A thief would never act like
that"
In the act of drawing back, her eyes
caught glimpse Of cleaning OBJ
ject tucked up close against the leg
of the couch where 1t had lain un-
discovered through many perfunctory
swecpings. Plainly others beside the
strange man had not taken the
trouble to move the couch.
Impulsively Mary stretched forth
her hand and grasped the tiny object.
Instantly Il mans strong fingers
closed about her wrist and she felt
herself growing faint with terror.
Who are you and what are you
doing here?" the man demanded
sternly.
Mary's heart gave violent bound.
She rose from her cramped position
and came forth meekly, a rumpled,
dust-covered object.
"Mary!" the man gasped incredu-
Iously. Then he gathered her to him
in close embrace.
Here's your ring. Albert" Mary
murmurcd several minutes later. You
were searching for It,, weren't your"
THAT wretched ring" Albert burst
forth vehemently. III 1t hadn't been
for that and my abominable pride we
might have been happy long ago. You
see, Fred HARDWOOD was in straits. and
to help him out bought the ring
from him. 1t was q much nicer one
than I could have afforded to buy
new for you, and I never thought you
would know the difference. When you
developed such a talent for deduction
my pride wouldn't let me admit that
1t was second.handed. OF course
knew you didn't keep the ring know
ingly, though I was brute enough to
say so. ] have only been back home
week. Yesterday | happened to
meet your cousin. He told me he
had just been here. and I borrowed
the key. wishing to visit the spot
where We had been SO happy. When
! entered the room was overcome
by q feeling that the ring was still
here. hated the very thought OF 1t.
but ] could not resist the impulse to
search for It."
Il should have thought you would
have heard me when | entered the
house." Mary remarked.
"Oh, that's easily explained" Al
bert laughed. when | opened the
door | was greeted by a strong rus
Of air, and went upstairs to see where
It came from. found that Ned had
left one Of the attic windows wide
open. and had some difficulty in
shutting 1t. was probably too much
engaged In my task to heed any noise
you may have made. But what shall
We do with the ring. now 1t Is found.
little girl?"
Mary held up a white finger invit.
ingly. ut will fit better now" she
said demurely. MY hands are ever
90 much plumper."
Shows how much you've pinned
over my loss" Albert chuckled. But
come. We ought to be going. It's
growing late"
In . dase Of happiness Mary led
the way to the waiting car. After
helping her in Albert took the driv.
er's seat, ~ a matter Of course.
When they had nearly reached the
homo Of the aunt with whom Mary
was staying. Mary suddenly asked,
But how did you get to the old
place, Albert You ely did not
walkf"
Albert stared at her blankly for .
moment Then he stammered sheep
ishly: "I-l-cAme In . motor car, too.
But I forgot oil about 1t from the mo,
nent I found you"