Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-23
Evening Star $
Daily Story
ROBINA'S RING
gY MOLLY McMAsTER.
Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.

his native city, and found the
enforced darkness of London at least
more sensational than Broadway un-
der its myriad lights.
However, Bradley realized that he
would soon again be back in New
York and that it was a privilege TO
have seen London during war times
and shrouded in its cautious gar
ments of shadows. The city certain
ly held many interests7-and Bradley
regretted that he had not more time
at his disposal that he might prolons
his stay.
He drew out his cigar lighter pre-
paratory to enjoying few puffs OF
smoke before entering his lodgings
on Holland Park avenue. Bradley
had scarcely raised the light to his
pipe when q voice arrested him-an
hysterical voice that came from the
complete gloom of the roadway.
''Oh, do please let me have that
light for a moment" the girl pleaded
quickly. 'I have been groveling in
the pitch darkness for my ring. l
dropped 1t from my bag and don't
dare leave the spot for fear OF not
finding 1t again" Her tone was
high-pitched and Bradley knew that
she was frightfully upset and on the
verge of tears. He knew also that
perhaps from her soft furs. but he
could get no glimpse of her face.
We'll find that ring In a minute,
he told her with laugh in his voice.
you Just stand still where you are,
SO / will know where to look" He
bent down and with his small BEN
zine lighter managed to throw tiny
wedge of illumination across the path.
The stone walk was icy cold to the
Il t.fx II pd
it was some minutes before the dimin-
utiye searchlight probed the right
shadows and fared over the lost ring.
A little cry of delight left the girls
lips. The ring was an exquisite bow
knot of aquamarines and diamonds.
That was all Bradley could see before
the benzine lighter fiuttered out.
1T has done its duty, anyway" he
said, as he handed the girl her treas
IRE, and for fieeting second touched
the cool of her slim fingers
But you cannot light your pipe
now" she said with sweet apology
in her voice. II am so sorry"
"Plenty of matches" said Brad
ley, and would have drawn out his
box save that the girl held out her
hand TO him by way of thanks.
II would have had to sit here until
daylight had you not come along"
SIo lOlu tlilti. LIldHh Ou 4NCiy
much for heping me-"
She slipped away into the darkness
and Bradley was left with only the
realization that her hand was slim
and soft, and that It had sent a pecu-
liarly pleasant wave of emotion over
him.
"By Jove-I wish I could have got
glimpse of her face She may be
$ goggle-eyed and squinty for all
know" He managed a light for his
pipe the while he pondered over the
girl and her possible Identity.
Sounded bit Yankee" he decd d,
and felt more hopeful that she would
again be flung across his path since
he, too hailed from the land of Amer
. lean Beauties.
al will have to rnd the ring again.
( he muttered, land flash my small
searchligl1t on her face" Bradley
hoped the girl was not engaged but
he felt reasonably sure that she
would not have been practically in
Mysteries over the loss of any but
betrothal ring.
However, the interests of business
and the return trip to New York
dispelled all memories of mysterious
nights of darkness and the entrance
OF the girl into his horizon. She
might have been myth springing
from QaTkBn0u 4LOHuOtt anu oiddlCS
had soon forgotten the incident.
He had not been home three weeks
before the scene was flung yiyidly
across his brain. Bradley was at
tending an engagement party at the
home of one of his friends when lie
s suddenly caught sight of the ring he
had picked up for the girl in London.
!. AT least Bradley supposed 1t to be
/ the ring, and in second he was at
IL y l. To
was in no way attracted to the girl,
and her hair was not golden nor
were her eyes. violet-two essentials
of feminine beauty in Bradley's eyes.
He took out his small benzine cigar
lighter and flashed 1t on the girls
face who was wearing the ring,
After that he waited for the start of
surprise from her.
Robina Bassingford looked askance
at Bradley. .,, a.
coast she said with a laugh, NOR
am j the enemy's encampment, so
WHY turn the searchlight on me?"
Have you ever been in London?'
bradley asked her.
asNever-we are going on our
honeymoon, though" Robina blushed
prettily as she said 1t.
Bradley sighed Perhaps he was
glad that Robina Bassingford was
not the girl whose hand had thrilled
MIN in the dark of London. 1t was
strange that there we're two rings of
so peculiarly attractive design, and
Bradley wondered II he would ever
see the other one again.
Suddenly, as he sat at the dinner
table. a most familiar scent was
waited to him. He drew In deep
breath and again felt himself plunged
into the darkness and a girl whose
furs exhaled Just such an odor stood
beside him. More than ever was ne
inclined to disbelieve Robina. The
ring and the scent both pointed her
out as the girl of shadows:
He did not press the subject, how
ever. but returned to the dainty girl
who was sitting at his right side.
Bradley had been falling ready VIC
tim to June McCrees violet eyes and
soft smile when the ring Incident
had claimed his attention. Now. as
ne turned back to her. he seemed to
feel that she was going to prove the
one and only girl for him.
Later, when they were dancing
slow waltz, Bradley again became
conscious that the subtle odor Of the
myth girl was being waited to him
rom Junes golden hair.
Have you ever been in London?"
ha~ asked quickly, his heart beating
more rapidly than It had when he
had nut the same question to Ro-
bina.
YES" June answered, startled out
~ her rather pleasant sense OF
RHYTHM afforded by Bradleys dane
ing. She felt her partner draw q
long. deep breath as If of content-
Inent and If she felt equally happy
rNNNnl lYT