Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-04-11
to I should never hold up my head

parture that could be applied in this
way, and you know with whom I would
be likely to spend It."
81 certainly do"
John Turner did not report himself
to his friend Dillon as back from his
journey for several weeks when one
morning he appeared In the latter's Of
fee. his exuberant manner somewhat
changed. He made no reference to
his love AFFAIR ill Jim asked him about
II. then said that there was a hitch
The young lady was in great tribula-
ton over it. By keeping it secret she
had hoped to gain time In which to
win the approval OF her father to the
match But thus far she had failed
He was In favor Of her marrying an
other man. one who was the prospec-
tive heir to a fortune she loves me"
John added mournfully. but she and
her father are very close. She can't
bear to disappoint him. Besides. she
Is one of those persons who are prone
to act for the good Of others at their
own expense"
who's your rival?" asked Jim.
THAT don't know. The lady would
not be justified In telling me-"
How do you know she really loves
your"
while trust her implicitly. must
admit that have no other proof than
her word that she does"
h. hnx 20
make together. but John felt so de-
spondent about his own affair that he
begged off till something definite In 1t
should have been reached.
One day John told Jim that he had
persuaded his love to accept a ring
from him. II was to be an engage
ment ring II they became engaged.
and If they were not engaged the lady
insisted upon its return. John asked
his friend TO 90 with him to a jeweler
and assist in the selection of the gift
Jim did not quite understand how
woman so sensitively honorable as his
friends lady love had been described
could accept a ring under the circum-
stances Nevertheless the case seem
ed to be a peculiar one, and he under
stood from John that he regarded the
gift as possible stepping stone to an
engagement
The two friends visited a jeweler
in company, and the ring selected was
one that Turner especially fancied.
There were two diamonds held In the
fangs Of a snake. Dillon condemned
the ring as entirely inappropriate to
the occasion. But Turner's heart
seemed set on 1t, and he bought It
He left II with the jeweler to have
the lady's initials engraved in It ex-
planning to his friend that, bis own
mind being made up. this was allowa-
bic. When the lady made up her mind
to take him his own initials could be
put In.
Soon after the purchase of the ring
Turner told Dillon that he had receiv-
ed permission to take him TO call on
the lady of his love. Dillon gladly ac-
cepted the invitation.
When they went up the steps OF the
dwelling. to which Turner led the
way. Dillon stopped and exclaimed:
For heavens sake. John. what does
this meanT'
ut means" was the reply, that this
is the house where lives the woman
who has admitted that she loves me-"
Dillon had run up the steps and
pushed the bell. Before Jim could
speak again the door was opened by a
servant John waited for Jim to en-
ter, then went In himself Clara Mark
land was seated In the drawing room.
At seeing the two men she paled
Then she tried to slip from her finger
ring. But before she could do sc
her fance had seen It and recognized
the gift he had seen when his friend
had bought 1t.
1t was an impressive tableau-th,
woman who feared that she had los
an advantageous match. the undeceiv
ed lover and the man who had played
the game
81 now see, John" said Dillon in M
icy tone. why you fancied the two
diamonds in the fangs of a serpent"
well. gentlemen" said Miss Mark
land. how does It happen that you tive
call together?"
II leave It to my friend to make tn,
explanation" said Dillon. 81 had n,
idea that he was taking me to call OF
my fiancee."
Since whatever motive" said rur
ner, that ! may have had has beer
accomplished namely. to prove to 1
deceived man his deception-I am no
needed here leave you two togethel
to make up this little difference"
The difference the lady succeeded II
making up. which meant an enmity OF
the part of her lover for his chum
When Dillon next met Turner he pass
I'd him without speaking to him. Dill
Ion married Miss MARYLAND. and $,
long as n small fortune left him by hii
mother lasted she used 1t to float her
self in the fashionable world Mean
while MIR Dillon. Sr.. died and lief
his estate IN Turner's hands in trus
for his son. to be paid him on certain
conditions. When Dillon's means wer,
exhausted his wife left him. Thei
one day he called on Turner TO ask hi
forgiveness
Turner tod him that he was per
mitted by his fathers will TO pay hin
any money Of which his wife coulC
reap no benefit
The friendship that was interrupted
during this perind NJ young Dillon,
marriage becnmr closer than ever Al
tu he woman. she lrfted away u ~
Inn - linn.