The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-18
THE SAPPHIRE RING
BY ELLIS BROWNE.

IL was eXactly -FOUR weeks aIteI
Robert Hanford became engaged t.
Lucille Ames that he came to take
her to the tennis match at West
Waters.
As he held her slim fingers in his
he was startled by a change in her
appearance. Lucille, the gay and light.
hearted. wore worried look.
What is the matter, dearest?" he
asked in alarm.
Nothing" she evaded, drawing
away her hands.
He touched her third finger play.
fully. Where is the guardian ring?"
he demanded.
Lucille paled. II cannot find it," she
said, after moments hesitation. Il
am sure 1t Is around the place some
where: I will look again." Tears filled
her eyes.
As the car carried them over to
West Waters. Lucille and Robert
scarcely exchanged q word. BY the
time they reached the clubhouse Rob.
ert was in a Jealous rage. He re-
membered that George Letterby had
been the most formidable rival for
Lucile's heart and he wondered II
Lucille had changed her mind.
Robert went to play in the singles,
and one Of his opponents was George
Letterby. 1t was while Letterby was
serving ball to Robert that the lat
ter noticed Lucile's sapphire ring on
his opponents little finger
Some ring!" smiled Letterby across
the net.
Robert nodded grimly.
Thirty - love!" called Letterby
mockingly.
Hot anger filled Roberts heart The
battle between the two men was a
real one. and although Robert carried
off the tennis honors, his storming
heart admitted that Letterby was the
victor in another contest. II not, what
excuse was there for Letterby wear
Ing the betrothal ring given by him
to Lucille?
When the match was over. Robert
found that Lucille had pleaded head
ache and gone home with friend.
He did not wait for congratulations
on his victory; he sped home in his
motor car, wrote bitter letter of re-
nunciation to Lucille, and the next
morning was on his way to Califor.
MIA.
On the Pacific coast there was a
tiny hamlet which is paradise for
fishermen. There Robert Hanford in
trenched himself and determined to
write book upon the fighting habits
of the big gamy fish of the Pacific
waters.
One day, just as he had determined
to return to New York and his neg
lected business interests, Robert met
a newly arrived sportsman on the
beach. He would have passed the
man without recognition had not the
newcomer paused and spoken.
Il don't believe you remember me,
Mr.. Hanford," hazarded the stranger,
and rendered a card.
Rodeburg Il .Rodeburg.
20 Maiden Lane,
Manufacturing Jewellers.
1t read.
Il remember-you did some work
for me--a ring" he said at last.
Mr.. Rodeburg beamed. "A special
ring-a very fine sapphire set in dull
gold--you said the stone belonged to
your mother"
You have a good memory" smiled
Robert.
Il remember 1t especially we'll be.
cause your friend came in and asked
US to copy the ring-said you had 'ent
1t to him for day. remember we
had to work all night over 1t, as he
wanted to return the ring, but We fin.
ished IT,"
MY friend brought the ring?" re.
peated Robert amazedly.
Mr.. Letterby was his name"
What date was IT." demanded Rob.
ert.
Mr.. Rodeburg named the date-the
day before the West Waters tennis
match. He only allowed US to keep
is "a hours" he added. ITS a funny
coincidence. Mr.. Hanford, that / Just
saw a duplicate OF that ring-the
young lady under that striped UNI.
brella is wearing one on her engage
ment finger"
He jumped with surprise as Rob-
ert wrung his hand and dashed of
to the striped umbrella. under which
Lucille reclined on a steamer chair,
her sad eyes looking dreamily out
upon the sea.
At his approach Lucille lifted her
eyes and wave Of hot color suifused
her thin cheeks.
Robert" she murmured breath
lessly.
Regardless Of onlookers he dropped
to one knee beside her chair and laid
bis head on the arm.
Forgive me, Lucille" he whispered.
Il have Just learned about the ring
Il have wronged you"
THE ring?" she uttered glad lit
lie laugh and flashed the Jewel be-
fore his bewildered eyes. 1T all hap
pened SO Queerly-I was frightened,
100, and feared you would blame me.
The day before the tennis match
George Letterby called and asked to
see my ring. AS he examined it he
dropped 1t in the grass and we could
lot find 1t. He came again the next
the match was over
and he found the ring among the