The Spectator., 1916-01-14

ously out of the room.
 Mrs. Royalton, smiling, self-satisfied, stood for a moment in triumph. Her eyes were suddenly attracted by a 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 examirsd it carefully. frowning, and then slow ly placed it 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. Well, did you see Hall?" Mrs. Royal. ton nodded, smiling. Why! Didn't I say I would?"
 For a moment Carolyn gazed at her, as if trying to penetrate her mind. She seemed as yet unconvinced. You re- fused him, Rena?"
 Certainly" Mrs. Royalton tossed her head.
 Still Carolyn seemed incredulous. Well, how did he take it?" ''Oh. l said liked him. of course, | but l 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 thing about-about me, or Rosamund Gale, did you? I mean about why you refused him, really?"
 "Oh, mol" Mrs. Royalton's tone was. 1 for the first time, clear and honest and | she now took her turn. What did l you say to him. Carolyn?"
 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 it was all joke, you know. I wouldn't per init him to make a 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 1 hopeful"
 | At this moment there was a peal of laughter outside the door, and a gay voice ending a passage of affected per l siflage. Rosamund sailed swishing in- to the room. She held her head up l 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 moment. proud l ly superior. Then she answered calm ly, No, 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"
 "Oh, pshaw!" Rosamund answered Whats a promise? Why, I found out that Hall felt good deal different from what I 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 I didn't. saw that there was some misunder. standing somewhere, and we had got il 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.
 Certainly l did Hall Bonistelle and I are formally engaged. now, and we're going to be married"
 That's about all you know" cried Carolyn, now beside herself. Hal Bonistelle is engaged to mel"
 Mrs. Royalton gasped. Rosamund raved: Its no such a thing. It cant be-"
 Then you lied to me, Carolyn?' Mrs. Royalton asked frigidly.
 Well. I couldn't violate a conf dence. could I?"
 It's lie, that's all there is about that" Rosamund exclaimed. It's per fectly absurd on the face of it. guess ought to know!"
 "Oh. you don't have to believe it but it's a fact. nevertheless" sait Carolyn to Rosamund: and then turn ing to Mrs. Royalton. she added: "Yor 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 gel 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 O that!" And she thrust her hand witi the ruby ring into Carolyn's face. a Rosamund turned white. What fl it?" she stammered. "It's an engagement ring, of course,