The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-02
sn7ass 70 further the wreck Of her al

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 WIN.
dow that displayed an odd assortment
of jewelry, embroidery, paintings, III.
dian relics and historical gems OF all
kinds. These we're being sold for the
queens fund, and many a treasure
had been sent when perhaps the SEND
or had not even a shilling to offer.
Ethel gazed longingly at some OF
the iewelry. It was one OF her hop-
bies to collect odd bits OF adornneht
She knew that she would be heiplhs
to augment the queens fund should
she see anything in that assortment
that lured her into purchasing ~.
When Ethel caught sight OF the
beautiful ring that formed an Z, her
own initial, she was lost. Never had
she seen a ring so completely deslr-
able as that one with her birthstone
set in to form her letter. Opals ana
diamonds clustered with exquisite
charm made 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 vas wonderfully dainty
on her hand nd seemed made to
adorn its new owner.
A few days late she motored down
to BRIGHTON. Ethel was in the habit
of driving down in her luxurious car
and taking wounded soldier boys Tor
long, bracing drives.
The day that Jimmy Thorpe was
lifted into the scat beside her was
most exciting one for Ethel. She
gazed sorroNfully at the kitty, who
seemed o be all bandagcs, and tucked
the rugs about him With her own slim
hands.
They are supposed to have done
for me now he confided, as they
whirled away from the hospital i
was reported as having been killed.
NV mother tainted when she found
out / was still in the land Of the liT'
ing Nice reception that wasn't it,"
Ethel smiled as she listened to jim
mys loquacious tongue that had sui
licient of the Scotch in it to charm
her American ear
"My girl, too, believes me dead,
he continued, "and cannot colnmu-
nicate with her even now. Awful blow
it will be to hcr
Ethel realized suddenly what a real
ly fearful blow it would be to any
girl to lose Jimmy Thorpe. She
was 50 thoroushly annoyed at herself
for blushing that she determined to
put down her chiffon veil and hide
herself away from his keen blue eyes.
During the process of adjusting the
veil those same eyes caught sight of
the ring he had given Elaine and he
drew swift breath. He was indeed
numbered among the ghosts.
Tell me- he questioned quickly,
Just how you came by that ring-it
is the one had made for my fiancee,
Elaine 1iaTflS.
When Ethel had told him the whole
story she flashed an indignant glance
at Jimmy
Il don't see how any girl could
bring herself to give away a ring
under those circumstances!
She was only keeping her word to
me- Jimmy said quietly.
You could not have made me prom
ise,' Ethel told him with laughter in
her eyes, because if | hadn't loved
you ! most certainly would have loved
the ring. Strange that it should be
my birthstone and initial--isn't it?"
Not so very strange Jimmy said,
when you think of the future-is it,"
Perhaps not" she said