The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-19
Eoening Story
The Rajah's Ring.
BY MAY MORTON.

Gavis stopped abruptly when he
saw the man and girl in the ball
| cony. He swung about and blindly
found his way thru the dancers until
he came to quiet, unused card room,
where he could be alone.
He lighted a cigaret, but did not
| smoke The picture he had seen in
| the bacony-Latimer fitting ring
upon Gracia Moore's slim finger
had frozen his face into a stern mask,
While his heart thumped in an odd
way From his pocket he extracted
a small jewel case and pressing a
! spring, his PANIED eyes were dazzled
| by the brilliance Of the splendid dia-
mond he had chosen for Gracia il
she should accept him. He had
waited until tonight because. in the
crowded house, there would be many
quiet nooks-he had just arrived and
he was too late-Dick Latimer had
won her! Yet, he had been SO sure
of her love-and she had fooled him.
Well, she should never know the hurt
he had received.
The door opened and his host ap-
peared and dragged him out to the
dancing men. This will never do,
old man." said Whyte. There are
rows of wallflowers whiting in the
shade-just hear that orchestra. Go
to iti''
Gavis smiled wryly and found a
partner. She danced exquisitely, but
he felt no thrill in the touch of her
hanp or, the nearness of her fluffy
hair. So he danced several times,
and at last he went to Gracia- who
sat in a deep chair. for once unat-
| tended. Her sweet face was quite
pale and her dark blue eyes were a
little frightened as she lifted them to
his stern face.
She managed to smile when she
gave him her card and his keen
eyes scanned it eagerly Latimer's
name was down for two dances
there were other initials scrawled
here and there and several blank
spaces.
st saved several for you," she said
gently
Il was late-too late" he remarked
scratching his initials in the blank
spaces
In a moment they were weaving
thru the maze of dancers. All the
old-time witchery possessed Gavis now
| that she was with him. She was so
different from other girls-there
could never be another one in the
whole world to fill her place when
she married Dick Latirner. His heart
thudded in rhythm to the music. She
smiled once and shook her heat at
Dick Latimer as they passed him in
You are very quiet" she ventured
after a while.
IT am sorry" he apologized. I'm
afraid 1 am rather a dull fellow after
all, Gracia."
"No-oh, no, Bob" she said little
breathlessly. "Just think of the bril-
liant speeches you have made in
court. Perhaps you have had busy
day and do not feel like chattering to
women. Listen, the orchestra is play
ing. something you love"
He bit his lip fiercely as they
! swayed to the dreamy waltz music
Something he loved!" Did she guess
t that the only thing he loved was going
from him to another mans arms?
Perhaps she did know; all women
would talk. He cleverly led her from
one topic to another in the brief
pauses between dances and at last he
resigned her to Dick Latimer. who
claimed the supperdance. Bob Gavis
made several swift decisions in the in
/ tervsl. He sought and found his host.
"Whyte," he said, you were talk
ing about a hunting trip to Canada
is the party complete"
mot without you,' returned the
other promptly.
Thanks. When are you going?"
Tuesday"
Good. Count me in," and Gavis
went away unsmiling.
When he reached his bachelor
apartment he did not go to bed, but
spent the hours overhauling his hunt
| ing gear and packing his outfit for the
expedition. After a cold tub and a
brisk walk downtown he prepared to
targue an important case which had
| been pending for some time.
Two days afterward he met Latimer
ION the street. Congratulations"
cried Dick.
1 Bobs eyebrows went up.
"Winning your case" explained
| Latimer, cheerfully. wish you luck,
| old man, when it comes to matrimon-
| ia1 casesi" He went away chucklfng
and Gayis realized that he was begin
ming to dislike Dick. once they had
| been very good friends, but since
Gracia--he squared his shoulders and
| tried to whistle. The North Woods
| would cure all that. he told himself.
He was wrong after all. The woods