The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-12-26
HER MAJESTYS FUND
BY HARMONY WELLER.

/
per Syndicatel
Elaine looked long and wistfullv at
the beautiful ring lying in the palm
OF her hand. She had promised faith
iully that should anything happen to
her soldier boy who had gone to the
front she would take off his ring and
, dispose of it,
1t will only be a constant remind
er of me-" he told her at parting,
and if the battlefield claims me YOU
will forget me the quicker without
that ring"
And Elaine had wept. as nearly all
OF the women in England had wept,
when the regiments had gone off with
pipe and drum playing. Jimmy
Thorpe belonged to the famous Black
Watch.
Elaine found her home cherries
and decided upon trip to New York.
America at least was neutral, and
there was little danger Of bombs and
spies TO further the wreck of her al
ready ragged nerves.
Two days after Elaine had sailed
for neutral lands Ethel Davis was
walking down Oxford street. She
stopped interestedly in front of a win
dow that displayed an odd assortment
OF Jewe!ry, embroidery. paintings, In
dian relics and historical gems of all
kinds. These were being sold for the
queens fund, and many treasure
had been sent when perhaps the send
er had not even a shilling to offer.
Ethel gazed lOngingly at some OF
the Jewelry. II was one of her hob
bies to collect odd bits of adornme :.
She knew that she would be helping
to augment the queens fund should
she see anything in that assortment
that lured her into purchasing it.
When Ethel caught sight of the
beautiful ring that formed an L, her
own initial, she was lost. Never had
she seen a ring so completely desir-
able as that one with her birthstone
Set in to form her letter. Opals and
diamonds clustered with exquisite
charm made a most lovely ring.
Ethel went into the shop When
she emerged her slim figure felt warm
and very much delighted with itself.
The new ring was wonderfully dainty
on her hand and seemed made to
adorn its new owner.
few days later she motored down
to Brighton. Ethel was in the habit
Of driving down in her luxurious car
and taking wounded soldier boys for
long. bracing drives.
The day that Jimmy Thorpe was
lifted into the seat beside her was a
most exciting one for Etlsl. She
sazed sorrowfully at the kitty, who
seemed to be all bandages. and tucked
The rugs about him with her own slim
hands.
They are supposed to have done
or me now" he confided, as they
away from the hospital. IL
vas reported as having been killed.
Wy mother tainted when she found
'ut | was still in the land of the liy-
ng. Nice reception that, wasn't it,"
Ethel smiled as she listened to JIM
ny's loquacious tongue that had SUI
lcient of the Scotch In it to charm
Ter American ear.
My girl, too, believes me dead"
e continued. land / cannot commu-
icate with her even now. Awful blow
will be to her."
Ethel realized suddenly what a real
fearful blow II would be to any
irl to lose a Jimmy Thorpe. She
'as so thoroughly annoyed at herself
DR. blushing that she determined TO
ut down her chiffon veil and hide
erself away from his keen blue eyes.
Turing the process of adjusting the
ell those same eyes caught sight of
he ring he had given Elaine and he
rev a swift breath. He was indeed
umbered among the ghosts.
Tell me-" he questioned quickly.
lust how you came by that ring-it
the one had made for my fiancee.
laine Harris"
When Ethel had told him the whole
DRY she flashed an indignant glance
Jimmy.
i don't see how any girl could
ing herself to give away a ring
lder those circumstances"
She was only keeping her word to
e." Jimmy said quietly.
You could not have made me prom
e. Ethel told him with laughter in
n eyes, because II | hadn't loved
u most certainly would have loved
e ring. Strange that II should be
birthstone and initial-isnt it?"
Not so very strange" Jimmy said.
men you think Of the future-is it?"
Perhaps not" she said.