The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-07

from my finger, bending to adjust 1t.
Upon the mantel stood small brass
clock. Its high center spindle, with
sort of latticework beneath, made an
excellent ring tray. Often ! slipped
nv rings over the spindle, and there.
hidden from sight, they safely awaited
nv pleasure. So I heard them now
tinkIe down to their place and came
with a laughing remark to brighten
Eric's sober mood. But it was unabat-
ed when Nora called me to the kitchen.
After the evening mea! there was no
, summons in the message Of the violin.
Different stations" repeated to my
self pettishly. what in all the world
is worth having save only love and
happiness" Then I remembered my
rings. l had left them upon the clock
spindle.
Down the stairs 1 crept silently-the
household might be sleeping. The light
Of a street lamp shining through the
window guided me across the room.
felt for the rings. Just one was there.
The emerald must be upon the floor,
or perhaps the mantelshelf, Or
pressed the electric button. Father, en-
tering unexpectedly, found me upon my
knees after a last hopeless search.
1.-THE ring, Of course" he exploded.
"You show 1t of to pehniless young
vagabond, then leave it upon the man.
telshelf-a fortune within easy reach
Of a stranger" Still muttering accu-
sations, father went carefully over the
polished surface Of the floor, where no
smallest glinting thing might hide.
Then, as had 80 many times done, he
lifted each article from the mantel-
shelp. There were but four-the can
dlesticks, the clock and mothers pic
ture. The ring had completely disap-
peared. For one long moment father
eyed me in stern condemnation.
you will make no mention Of this
loss" he commanded sharply, NOR let
the adventurer know that he is sus-
pected. In that lies our only hope of
recovery. He shall be watched. He
is the only person, excepting our two
selves, who has either entered or left
this room tonight. There is no posi-
BILE way that the ring could have es-
capped"
1t seemed all very true. But per.
haps, reflected, Eric had taken the
ring for the night into his own safe
keeping. In the morning he would
smilingly chide me for my careless.
ness as he restored 1t. In the morning
Enc was gone. Nora brought a note
from him as I was dressing.
Dearest" it read, II am called away
very suddenly. VIII explain when !
see you"
A sickening sense Of the TRADE this
news would bring forth from my IA.
Their came over me. And If he should
learn that the man was my lover, my
promised husband! In my own heart
was no thought Of Eric's guilt.
"He's covered up his tracks pretty
WELL" father said bitterly, "but well
find him yet That ring can't be dis
posed Of without sensation"
But they did not find him. MY own
eyes, filled with sad questioning
searched mothers smiling ones
"Wait," they seemed to bid me-
"wait!
And at last Eric came. l was quite
alone in the dusk, and at first he did
not speak-just folded me close in his
arms.
1T has been so long," I murmured
brokenly, "and no word"
There was so much to attend to-
my lover said. "And was hurryinp
back to you. On the way I stopped tc
place stone-a fine, tall white marble
one-on mothers grave"
Frantically I endeavored to push
him from me. Father stood before us
l had never known his wrath to reach
such bounds. Inarticulately he raved
marking his accusations with threat
ening fist, which, gesticulating, brush
ed from Its resting place mothers pic
ture. I stopped to pick 1t up, mechan
ically adjusting the catch of the heafy
frame, then-I stood breathless.
"Father! I gasped. Eric's starin.
eyes turned toward me. The back O,
the picture was held in place by two
broad strips Of brass. In the lower Of
these pockets and evidently jarret
from its wedging place CLEANED tn,
Hateful emerald ring. For a momen
we all stood looking at it.
Il don't understand" muttered Eric.
Don't you" cried, laughin.
through my tears. "Well, one evenin,
l thought l had slipped the ring owe
the clocks spindle, but it bounded. 4
seems, turning down into the opel
pocket of mothers frame, hiding Their,
close and tight. 1t is the betrotha
ring of our family, Eric, handed dow
from parent to child And, now, dom
you see? Mother is giving it back t,
me to wear for you"
My lover came close; father was for
gotten.
Nance" said Eric, oh, so tenderly-
Nance, you'd take me like this, a pen
niless student? You'd believe In m,
through all false appearancas aoa;ns