Morris tribune., 1921-03-04
WITH ASSISTANCE
BY RACHEL BAKER.


"And SO think it best to terminate
our engagement for the time being at
least. If by and by find we have
made a mistake, then we can become
engaged again. Until then / see no
reason for it. Kindly return my ring.
Every truly,
FREDERICK NEWHALL."
Maize sat staring at these lines until
they blurred before her eyes.
Terminate our engagement" J
thought that was q woman'S privilege.
How could he do it? What an embar-
RAISING position to put me in! How
can explainT'
A knock startled her, and a voice
confident of welcome called: Its Bet
ty. Please let me in" And in she
came. She had just put her hair up
new way and wanted Mazie's approval
as she posed before her.
"It's marvellous, Betty! You'll be a
sensation at the party tonight"
"You really like it, then? I wasn't
sure" said Betty, Selling the hand
glass to look at the back of her hair.
81 do WISH" adjusting a hair pin,
"that you would take more interest in
yourself, dear. You've slumped ever
since your engagement"
mot really?" protested Maize.
Eyes, really. Why, then you were
the most chic Of anyone in our set.
Your dresses-do you remember that
yellow one you wore to the military
ballY'
"Frederick didn't like it, I remem-
ber."
"No, 1 can imagine that Frederick
didn't. He doesn't like anything that
draws attention away from himself. I
hate him and always did, even before
you were engaged to him."
I'm not engaged" said Maize slow
~, "any more"
"Not engaged? What's the trouble,
dear?" and Betty's arms went swiftly
about her friend.
"Why, we just decided that we
wouldn't be engaged any more" STAN
mered the girl.
1--WE did? And when did we decide?''
questioned Betty sternly.
"Just this afternoon"
But you haven't been out Of your
room," objected Betty.
II know; but I've been thinking
things over and I thought it best"
"You little wretch! You never
$hn11Cphf ~ OF oil hn$
kind. You're too scared of hurting
peoples feelings. Frederick did it r.
proclaimed Betty triumphantly.
I Maize produced the letter for Betty,
who perused it, frowning as she read.
II wonder why he insisted ON having
the ring? It's my opinion that he's
after that rich Miss Adams" said
Betty. "TIl make him sorry for it, but
it's the best thing, Maize. that's hap
pened for long while. Bob will have
a chance now. I'll see to that my
self. I'll return the ring"
81 have something for you, Freddy, u
said Betty, when she found Frederick
and Miss Adams seated in hammock
at the party that evening.
Cant you guess what it isY she
held both hands behind her, and sud.
denly Frederick became alarmed.
did you want to see me aloner
he questioned anxiously.
Cant you guess who sent it, thenT
she queried; but Frederick did not
I dare reply and Miss Adams suddenly
exclaimed, why, it's diamond ring
See it sparkleI'
eyes," said Betty, dropping 1t in
Miss Adams lap. Miss McGrath re
turns it with her compliments to Mr.
Newhall and wishes to terminate hel
engagement"
When the noise Of Betty's little
heels had ceased, Miss Adams handed
the ring to Frederick and rose from the
hammock.
"You know, of course, that knew
nothing Of your engagement. I an
somewhat of a stranger here and had
not heard" And the man was LEFT
alone gazing at Il diamond whose beau
ty did not cheer him in the least.
Meanwhile Rettx WAS busy telephon