The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-10-08

( He gave another look at the clock.
| 1t was four minutes to twelve. With
out another word he stalked impetu-
ously out of the room. .:
Mrs. Royalton, smiling, self-satisfied,
stood for moment in triumph. Her
eyes were suddenly attracted by a
shining object upon the rug, and cross
ing toward 1t, she saw ruby ring.
Puzzled Fat its presence there, she
stopped and picked 1t UP, examined
it carefully. frowning, and then slow
ly placed it upon her finger. AS she
did SO, Carolyn Daliys burst into the
room. Mrs. Royalton hastily turned
the ruby inside and dropped. her hand
carelessly.
Carolyn came up to her, very eager.
We'll, did you see Hall?" Mrs. Royal
ktop nodded. smiling. ( ~ (.
/" @Why! Didn't says1 would'"SS 5
For a moment Carolyn (gazedsst her,
as If trying to penetrate her mind: She
seemed as yet unconvinced: sYou re-
fused him, Rena?"
Certainly" Mrs. Royalton tossed
her head t. "; :. Il e =
Still Carolyn seemed incredulous.
"Well, how did he take it?"
"Oh, 1 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, eh?
what nonsenses You didn't say any
thing about-about me. or Rosamund
Gale, did you? mean about why you
refused him, really?"
."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?"
y Carolyn smiled. "Oh, we had nice
little time-no fuss. no Mysteries at all.
It was really very amusing
did he seem-well, how did he take
it, Carolyn" = -. -
|, "Oh,- of course we pretended 1t was
all joke. you know. I wouldn't per
NIT him to make scene, but all 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 a 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 su-
perior as she gazed about, triumphant
The two women sprang at her.
sWhat3d did you say to Hall Bonistelle7"
exclaimed Carolyn. -
Rosamund waited a moment, proud
ly superior. Then she answered calm
ly, mo, I accepted him."
you accepted him." the two broke
out.
"D'you mean to say you went back
on your promise?" Carolyn demanded.
furious. -,
Mrs. Royalton caught her BY the
arm. Are youcfooling. Miss Gale, or
what do you mean? You promised"
ooh, pshaw!" Rosamund answered.
What's 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
snap for you two"
: ,"Oh; didn't he!" cried Carolyn
why; the fact is, didn't have the
heart to reject him, really l 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
our talk stand in the way of my happi-
ness-and his, that's all!"
And do you mean to say you said
yes?'' cried Mrs Royalton. i
+ Certainly I 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 engagedeto me-"
Mrs. Royalton gasped. Rosamund
raved: TITS no such thing! 1t can't
be!"
Then you lied to me, Carolyn? ?"
Mrs. Royalton asked ,frigidly.
well, couldn't violate conf
dence. could II"
Its lie, that's all there is about
that" Rosamund exclaimed. TITS per
fectly absurd on the face of 1t. I
guess ought to know!"
ooh, you don't have to believe it.
but it's a fact, nevertheless" said
Carolyn to Rosamund5 and then turn
ing to Mrs. Royalton, she added: You
see, Rena. Hall explained it 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, l
thought
You were the one he wanted!"
Mrs. Royalton exclaimed. well, then,
I'd like to know what you think of
that And she thrust her hand with
the ruby ring into Carolyn's face.
Rosamund turned white. what is
it," snc starumered:.
TITS an engagement ring. OF course"
said Mrs Royalton.
"Rena Royalton," cried Carolyn, do
you mean to say that you have gone
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A composition for cheapness, and
not for excellence or workmanship, is