The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-23
The Euenine Story
RObina's Ring.
(By Molly McMaster.)

RObinA's Ring.
(By Molly McMaster)
Bradley strOl1ed along the darkened
streets of London finding a certain
pleasure In the mystery surrounding
all things. He compared the dimly
lit thoroughfare with the glare Of his
native city, and found the enforced
sensational tn N Broadway under its
myriad lights.
However, Bradley realized that he
would soon again be back in New
York, and that 1T was a privilege to
have seen London during war ines
and shrouded in its cautious garments
of shadows. The city certainly held
many interests and Bradley regretted
that he had not more time at his
disposal that he might 1prolong his
stay.
He. drew out his cigar lighter re-
paratory to enjoying few puffs OF
smoke before entering his lodgings
had scarcely raised the light to his
pipe when a 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 pie; led
q .ckly. Il have been groveling in
the pitch darkness for my ring. 1
dare leave the spot for fear of not
finding 1t again. Her tone was high
pitched and Bradley knew that .
was frightfully upset and on the verge
of tears. He knew that she exhaled a
delightful perfume, perhaps from her
soft furs, but he could get no glimpse
Of her face.
Wen find that ring in q minute -
he told her with a laugh in his voice.
You just stand still where you are.
SO 1 will know where to look" He
bent down and with his small benzine
lighter managed to throw a tiny
wedge OF illumination across the path.
The stone walk was icy cold to the
touch as he ran his hand over it, and
it was some minutes before the dimin-
utive searchlight probed the right
shadows and fiared over the lost ring.
A little cry Of delight left the girls
lips. The ring was an exquisite bow
knot of aqoamarines and diamonds.
That was all Bradley could see be-
fore the benzine lighter fiuttered out.
LIT has done its duty anyway" he
said as he handed the girl her treas
ure and for a fleeing second touched
the cool of her slim fingers.
But you cannot light your pipe
now" she said with sweet apology in
her voice. ct am SO sorry
PLENTY of Matches" said Bradley.
and would have. drawn out his box
save that the girl held out her hand
| to him by way Of thanks.
81 would have had to sit here until
| daylight had you not come along" she
told him. IT thank you very much
for helping me-"
She slipped away into the darkness
and Bradley was left with only the
realization that her hand was slim
and soft. and that 1t had sent 4 pecu-
liarly pleasant wave Of emotion over
him.
by Jove-I wish 1 could have got
a glimpse of her face. She may be
goggle-eyed and squinty for all ]
know" He managed q light for his
pipe the while he pondered over the
! girl and her possible identity. Sound
ed a bit Yankee" he decided, and felt
more hopeful that she would again
be flung across his path since he. too
hailed from the land of American
Beauties.
81 will have to find the ring again. -
he muttered, land flash my small
searchlight on her face" Bradley
hoped the girl was not engaged but
he felt reasonably sure that she would
| not have been practically In mysteries
ring.
However, the interests of business
and the return trip to New York dis
PEELED all memories of mysterious
nights OF darkness and the entrances
of the girl into his horizon. She
might have been a myth springine
from darkened London, and Bradley
had soon forgotten the incident.
He had not been home three week,
before the scene was flung vividly
across his brain. Bradley was attend.
ing an engagement party at the home
Of one of E.s friends when he sudden.
ly caught sight OF the ring he had
picked up for the girl in London. Al
least Bradley supposed it to be tht
ring. and in a secoz.ss he was at the
side Of the girl who wore it. He wa
in no way attracted to the girl, and
her hair was not golden nor were he1
eyes violet-two essentials of feminine
beauty in Bradley's eyes.
He took out his small benxine cigar
lighter and flashed it on the girri
face who was wearing the ring. Aftel
that he waited for the start OF sur
prise from her.
Robina Bassingford looked askanc,
at Bradley.
coast" she said with laugh, moi
am ] the enemy's encampment. q
why turn the searchlight on me?
4 Have you ever been in London p
Bradley asked her.
| "Never-we are going on oul
honeymoon. though. Robina hlushe<
pretrily as she said it.
II Bradley sighed Perhaps he wa,
glad that Robina Bassingford was no
the girl whose hand had thrilled him
In the dark Of London. It was strang'
that there were two rings OF 80 pecu
!, wondered il he would ever see tn,
lother one again
/ Suddenly. ~ he sat ut the dinnel