Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1916-01-08
THE SAPPHIRE RING
BY ELLIS BROWNE.

$500 sfsssse's'tesefsess -"
It was exactly four weeks after
.,yvcis aioaloiu sooo.4a eneas,. ,u
Lucille Ames that ne came to take
her to the tennis match at West
Waters.
AS he held her slim fingers in his,
he was startled by a change in her
appearance Lucille, the gay and light
hearted. wore a worried look.
What is the matter, dearest?" no
asked in alarm.
Nothing" she evaded, drawing
away her hands. f
He touched her third finger play
fully. Where is the guardian riug?"
he demanded
| Lucille paled 81 cannot find t." she
said, after a moments hesitation. Il
am sure 1t is around the place some
where: will look again" Tears filed
her eyes.
AS the car carried them over to
West Waters, Lucille and Robert
scarcely exchanged a word BY the
time they reached the clubhouse Rob
ert was in a jealous rage. He re-
membered that George Letterby had
been the most formidable rival for
Lucile's heart and he wondered If
Lucille had changed her mind.
Robert went to play in the singles.
and one of his opponents was George
Letterby It was while Letterby was
serving a ball to Robert that the lat
ter noticed Lucilc's sapphire ring on
his opponents little finger.
"some ring" smiled L5tterby acrCzs
the net.
Robert nodded grimly.
Thirty - love!" called Letterby
mockingly.
Hot anger filled Roberts heart. The
battle between the two men was
real one, and although Robert carried
off the tennis honors, his storming
heart admitted that Letterby was the
victor in another contest. If not, what
excuse was there for Letterby wear
ing the betrothal ring given by him
to Lucille?
When the match was over, Robert
found that Lucille had pleaded head
4
He did not wait for congratulations
on his victory; he sped home in his
motor car, wrote bitter letter of re-
nunciation to Lucille, and the next
morning was on his way to Califor.
mia.
On the Pacific coast there was a
tiny hamlet which is a paradise for
E,k -,
trenched himself and determined TO
write book upon the fighting habits
of the big gamy fish of the Pacific
waters.
One day, just as he had determined
to return to New York and his neg
, Iected business interests, Robert met
= q newly arrived sportsman on the
beach. He would have passed the
man without recognition had not the
, newcomer paused and spoken.
Il don't believe you remember me
Mr.. Hanford,' hazarded the stranger
and rendered a card.
Rodeburg & Rodeburg,
20 Maiden Lane,
Manufacturing jewelers..
it read
81 remember-you did some work
for me-a ring" he said at last.
Mr.. Rodeburg beamed. "A special
ring-a very fine sapphire set in dull
gold-you said the stone belonged to
your mother"
You have a good memory" smiled
Robert.
Il remember it especially well be
cause your friend came in and asked
US to copy the ring- said you had 'ent
1t to him fer a day. | remember we
had to work all night over it, as be
wanted to return the ring. but,we fin
ished it,"
My friend brought the ring?" re
poated Robert amazedly.
"Mr. Letterby was his name"
What date was it," demanded Rob
ert.
Mr.. Rodeburg named the date-the
day before the West Waters tennis
match. He only allowed US to keep
is "a hours" he added. It's a funny
coincidence, Mr.. Hanford. that Just
saw a duplicate of that ring-the
young lady under that striped UNI
brella is wearing one on her engage
ment finger"
He jumped with surprise as Rob
ert wrung his hand and dashed on
: to the striped umbrella. under which
Lucille roclined on a steamer chair
her sad eyes looking dreamily oui
upon the sea. -
, At his approach Lucille lifted her
eyes and a wave Of hot color sutfused
her thin cheeks.
Robert" she murmured breath
| lessly
Regardless OF onlookers he dropped
to one knee beside her chair and laid
his head on the arm.
Forgive me. Lucille" he whispered
Il have just learned about the rims
Il have WrOnged YOU