The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-10-01

i
shining object upon the rug, and cross
ing toward 1t, she saw ruby ring.
Puzzled at its presence there, she
stopped and picked it up, examined
It carefully, frowning, and then slow
ly placed it upon her finger. AS she
did so, Carolyn DaIlys burst into the
room. Mrs. Royalton hastily turned
the ruby inside and dropped her hand
carelessly.
Carolyn came up to her, very eager.
well, did you see Hall?" Mrs. Royal
ton nodded, smiling.
Why! Didn't say would?"
For a moment Carolyn gazed at her.
as if trying to penetrate her mind. She
seemed as yet unconvinced. You re
fused him, Renal"
Certainly" Mrs. Royalton tossed
her head.
Still Carolyn seemed incredulous.
well, how did he take it,"
ooh, said liked him, of course,
but / couldn't think of marrying him,
and all that-he took on awfully, real
ly, Carolyn; he begged me to have
him, and said his life would be ruined
and all that rubbish-you know, the
way they always do,
"Said his life. would be ruined. Ell?
What nonsense! You didn't say any
thing about-about me. or Rosamund
Gale. did you? / mean about why you
refused him. really?'
4
oh, mol" Mrs. Royalton's tone was
for the first time, clear and honest and
she now took her turn. what did
you say to him, Carolyn"
Carolyn smiled "Oh, we had nice
little tine-no fuss, no Mysteries at all.
1t was really very amusing"
Did he seem well, how did he take
it, Carolyn"
"oh, of course we pretended it was
all a joke, you know. wouldn't per-
init him to make scene, but an the
same could see that underneath it all
he was pretty badly broken up"
We'll, he didn't show it much when
he came to me, then. He seemed quite
hopeful
At this moment there was peal of
laughter outside the door, and gay
voice ending a passage of affected per-
sifage. Rosamund sailed swishing in
to the room. She held her head up
proudly, she seemed immensely SUI
.perior as she gazed about, triumphant.
The two women sprang at her.
What did You say to Hall Bonistelle?"
exclaimed Carolyn.
Rosamund waited a moment, proud
ly superior. Then she answered calm
ly, mo, accepted him."
], you accepted hint" the two broke
out
@D'you mean to say you went back
on your promises? Carolyn demanded.
| furious.
| Mrs. Royalton caught her by the
arm. Are you fooling. Miss Gale, or
what do you mean? You promised"
ooh, pshaw!" Rosamund answered,
Whats a promise? Why, found
out that Hall felt good deal different
from what had ever thought Why,
he's dear, really, and he never cared
a snap for you two"
! "Oh. didn't hel" cried Carolyn.
why. the fact is, didn't have the
heart to reject him. really didn't. l
saw that there was some misunder-
standing somewhere, and we had got it
all wrong. Halls simply crazy about
me, and 1t was perfectly absurd to let
1 our talk stand in the way of my happi-
1 N hi0 thnftc
"And do you mean to say you said
yes?" cried Mrs. Royaiton.
! Certainly l did. Hall Bonistelle
and ! are formally engaged, now. and
| we're going to be married."
That's about all you know" cried
Carolyn, now beside herself. Hall
Bonistelle is engaged to mel"
Mrs Royalton gasped. Rosamund
raved: ITS no such thingi 1t can't
] bel"
"Then you lied to me. Carolyn? %
Mrs. Royalton asked frigidly.
Well. couldn't violate a conf
dence. could I?'
Its lie. that's all there is about
that!" Rosamund exclaimed. cts per
fectly absurd on the face of it. !
guess ought to knowl'ss
ooh. you don't have to believe it.
but it's a fact. nevertheless" said
Carolyn to Rosamund; and then turn
ing to Mrs. Royalton. she added: You
see, Rena, Hall explained 1t all to me,
and couldn't really blame him for the
way he's acted. He was in an awful
mess, and had led you and Miss Gale
to imagine things that he couldn't get
out of, very well. So. as long as was
the one he really wanted. you know, |
thought"
"You were the one he wanted!"
Mrs. Royalton exclaimed. well, then.
I'd like to know what you think 81
that" And she thrust her hand with
the ruby ring into Carolyn's face.
4 Rosamund turned white. "What is
it," shc stammered.
Il. :.