The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-12-10

Mrs. Royalton. smiling, self-satisfed,
stood for a moment in triumph. Her
eyes were suddenly attracted by
shining object upon the rug, and cross
ing toward it. she saw a ruby ring.
Puzzled at its presence there. she
stopped and picked it up, examined
1t carefully. frowning. and then slow
ly placed IL upon her finger AS she
did so. Carolyn Dallys 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
ton nodded. smiling.
Why! Didn't say would?"
For moment Carolyn gaZed at her.
as il trying TO penetrate her mind. She
seemed as yet unconvinced. You re-
fused him. Renaf"
Certainly" Mrs. Royalton tossed
her head
Still Carolyn seemed incredulous.
We'll. how did he take it?"
"Oh, 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 nonsense! You didn't say any
thino oh nd
Gale, did you? mean about why you
refused him. really?"
"Oh. MOI" 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 a nice
little time-no fuss, no Mysteries at all
1t was really very amusing"
did he seem--well. how did he take
1t, Carolyn"
"Oh, of course we pretended IT was
all Joke. you know / wouldn't per-
NIT him to make scene, but all the
same could see that underneath it all
he was pretty badly broken up"
well, he didn't show it much when
he came TO me, then. He seemed quite
| hopeful"
At this moment there was a peal of
laughter outside the door, and a gay
voice ending a passage Of affected per-
| siflage. 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.
What did you say to Hall Bonistelle?"
exclaimed Carolyn.
Rosamund waited a moment, proud
ly superior. Then she answered calm
ly, mo, l 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 you fooling, Miss Gale, ,or
what do you mean? You promised-p
"Oh, 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
snap for you two"
"Oh. didn't he!" cried Carolyn.
why. the fact is. | didn't have the
heart TO reject him, really didn't
saw that there was some misunder-
standing somewhere, and we had got it
all wrong. Halls simply crazy about
me, and it 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.
Certainly | did. Hall Bonistelle
and l are formally engaged. now. and
we're gcing 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 thing 1t can't
be-"
Then you lied to me. Carolyn"
Mrs. Royalton asked frigidly.
f, well. | couldn't violate a conf.
dence. could I?'
It's lie, that's all there is about
that" Rosamund ,xclaimed. Its per-
fectly absurd on the face OF IL. /
guess | ought 10 know!"
"Oh, you don't have to believe II,
but it's a fact, nevertheless. said
Carolyn TO Rosamund; and then turn
ing to Mrs. Royalton. she added: You
see. Rena. Hall explained IL 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 we'll. So. as long as was
the one he really wanted, you know.
thought"
You were the one he wantedl"
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 10
IT," she stammered
IT'S an engagement ring, Of course"
said Mrs Royalton.