The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-07-29
THE PROMISE
RING.
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE.

Then you must nnd time TO listen to
me about q matter that lies directly
next TO my heart"
Pretty Myrtle Glare looked sur
prisesi, confused. almost frightened
IL was st a lawn party and all the
afternoon she had noticed Walter
Pierce fdge,ting about In her vicinity.
lie was . quiet. bashful sort OF q
young man, and while he now spoke
the strain Of some deep emotion was
evident
IL don't understand. Mr. Pierce"
said Myrtle. half surmisins that In a
preliminary way he was making love
to her.
Pierce was hurried. almost inco.
herent for at auy moment others
might intrude upon the bush-shle'ied
spot where they we're. lie pressed
close to Myrtle In hi agitation even
Selling her hand aud speaking 10 10"
but vehement accents.
My happiness. my future depends
upon my Telling you all = he wins
per-d. III you fail me shall be
wretched. II will BE- next Thursday.
At the little park spot where the Jun.
ton roads meet. Oh. say that you
will be there at two la the after.
noon"
"But-why-I cannot comprehend"
But you will Gomez" implored
Pierce. "Oh, say so Really. you
must! You are a good. kind-hearted
girl. Everybody says 50. Promise [!
All. some one Is coming. Here. Take
this IL Is a pledge. II will be your
promise ring. Next Thursday at two
O'Clock"
With that Pierce vanished As merry
voices told Of others approaching.
They passed by Myrtle without no
ticlng her She stood rooted II the
spot. lost 10 variety Of emotions she
could not suDduc. She looked down
at the golden circlet with eyes won
dering and distended. A promise
ring generally covered an arrange
ment where ala ensl gement Ia time
was TO follow.
Had she pledged herself In Walter
Pierce through her silence AMI be-
wildermenty All la rush Pierce
had fairly carried her Cd her feet
She did not dislike him. but love -
Myrtle flushed and pulsate-i a, she
thought ~ Elwyn Brooks. who Of all
her young male acquaintances was
most close 10 her a. dear. dear
friend-and something more.
lit can't be that Mr.. Pierce II Ia
love with me" she reasoned finally
1t l. ridiculous TO suppose 50. IL he
was he had time 20 say 80. No. no.
won't believe IL. IL must be concern
ing something else he wishes to speak
20 me about. I'll wear the ring just
for the novelty Of the thing. and
will meet him as he wishes Just be
cause I am curious and interested.
Maybe he IL In some trouble and
needs a counsellor. a CONSIDER" and
gentle, innocent Myrtle tried to feel
quite sisterly aud compassionate.
Her sister Vivian noticed the golden
clrclet as they were In their room
that night IL had been PLACED ON the
engagement niger and vlyian's eyes
expressed decided interest.
Vivian was the exact opposite Of
Myrtle. She was OF regal beauty and
her manner did not make her ap-
proachable by the opposite sex She
rather chilled by her supposed
hauteur. which. however. was really
the mask Of warm. generous nature
but had become q confirmed manner.
ism.
"A new ringr' she suggested inter
rogatingly.
why. yes promise ring. vivian.
II belongs to Walter Pierce"
A half suppressed gasp issued from
the lips Of vivian. She paled. Then.
like one turned TO marble. she pre-
tended 20 busy herself putting away
the jewelry she wore and spoke not
another word. The mother OF the
girls entered the room az that moment
and the full effect OF the extraordinary
demeanor OF her sister was lost on
Myrtle
And now trouble came TO poor. sym
pathetic Myrtle. A hint Of the prom
lse ring led TO surmise and exaggera-
ton and Elwyn Brooks received a dis
torted notion OF the Circumstance. lie
avoided Myrtle and the Clare home.
while Vivian became strangely silent
and downcast
"ohl must see this Walter Pierce
and give him back the ring. and tell
him I do not care for him and get
this troubling matter Strengthened
out" determined Myrtle. and at two
o'clock Thursday afternoon she was az
the rendeEyous OF the appointment.
Il am so glad you have come"
spoke Pierce az once. II felt from
the nrst that your kind heart would
be inclined 20 calm the fears and aid
the hopes OF a man deeply In love. and
90 impressed with The superiority and
rare character OF your sister that you
would try and help me to win her AZ.
lection"
Then IT'S Vivian" began Myrtle.
and paused. dazrled. enlightened by
the revelation.