The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1916-05-24
ONLY A JOKE
BY MARTHA M. WILLIAMS.

first house party. for whose success
she was so anxious.
Had a party-and then some-eh >"
he queried jauntily.
Il know l treated you badly. Anne.
Some day you shall know why | had
to do it"
May | tell you right now" Anne
asked. red spots flaming in her cheeks.
Her readiness startled him.
Il wish to heaven you would tell
me-whst you think 1t was" he an
swered.
Il don't think know" she de
clared. "Cowardicel You thought I'd
make a scene over Lima Loree, As II
cared begged her to announce
your engagement When she wouldn't,
I all but did II myself"
Engagement, To whom am | en-
gagged he questioned amazedly
See herel Who says I'm engaged
to-anybody7" he demanded, his eyes
darkening.
Nobody! But Lima had on your
rtng-and psraded II constantly. When
told her | knew what IT meant she
didn't deny"
Il seel" John Andrew broke in.
Say. Anne. we've grown up together
and you know me Have I ever told
you a lie except about tribes or in a
good csuse7"
"No-so please don't begin It now"
Anne returned. looking down. 1T
would be as foolish as II would be
given-any girl-your mothers own
ring"
1t surely would" John Andrew re-
turned. his lips setting hard. Here
indeed was a complication. The ring
was an heirloom.
He had always been very careful OF
that ring. seldom wearing and still
more rarely letting 1t pass out OF his
possession. Anne's touch OF It had al
ways pleased him-her taper fingers
had seemed to caress the bauble. She
could scarcely be mistaken in her as
sertion as TO its present whereabouts.
but so far as he knew. the jewel was
safe within his strong boz at home.
He had put II there. he told himself.
the morning he fed from Anne's house
party. Later. accusing memory 70
called to him that he had shown II TO
Lima Loree over at the Farnhams
But she had certainly returned II to
his keeping. there on the corner OF the
piazza. saying with a strained little
laugh as she dropped 1t into the case
he held open. Take It. John! But
not for always hope"
Those last words. only whispered,
had been John Andrews danger sig
nal. He had managed somehow to
laugh away their Implication and had
then taken refuge in q gallant rood
by and Ealloped briskly home.
Now John Andrew. face to face
with the problem OF his life. dared not
speak out II would be shameful to
accuse a sentlewoman upon mere sus-
picion. Rather than that. he must lot
Anne continue to misunderstRnd him.
Looking straight into her indignant
eyes. he said. unsteadily:
II can't explsin-not now-but If
II bring my mothers ring, may | put
it-where you know have always
meant 1t to go1''
She shook her head slightly, The
age OF miracles is past" she said re-
gretfully.
Il am going to restore your faith in
miracles-and in me-" he said. turn
ing away without another word.
As the case sprung open in his hand
John Andrew started back with a lit
tie smothered exclamation. It was not
empty. but as he lifted the shining
bauble within It and held II to the
light. he laughed grimly.
There was indeed a superficial like
ness between the thing he held and
the thing he sought. Instantly he re-
called Lina's passion for the stage. her
long experience in private theatricals.
and realized that she had dextrously
attempted to palm on him this bit of
stage trumpery. and then had been in
discreet enough. or vain enough. or.
possibly. crafty enough. to wear the
Jewel she had taken in exchange.
Theft he told himself must not have
been the original impulse. but rather
the opportunity to triumph even mo-
mentartly over her rival.
He wanted to swear at her. at him
self. at the whole world. But there
was not time-he must act instead.
Longview! FIFTY miles distant! He
could make IL before nightfall with his