Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-03-23
WITH ASSISTANCE
BY RACHEL BAKER.

"And so I think it best to terminate
our engagement for the time being at
least. If by and by / find we have
made mistake, then we can become
engaged again. Until then 1 see no
reason for it. Kindly return my riLG.
"Very truly,
FREDERICK NEWHALL."
Maize sat staring at these lines until
they blurred before her eyes.
Terminate our engagement"
thought that was a woman's privilege.
How could he do 1t? What an embar-
RAISING position to put me in! How
can l explain?"
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 a
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? wasn't
sure" said Betty, seizing the hand
glass to look at the back of her hair.
81 do wish,' adjusting hair pin,
chat you would take more interest in
yourself, dear. You've slumped ever
since your engagement"
Not really?" protested Maize.
"Yes. 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
ball?"
"Trederick didn't lil-r it, 1 remem-
ber."
"No, can imagine that Frederick
didn't. He doesn't like anything that
draws attention away from himself. l
hate him and siways did, even before
you were engaged to him."
"I'm not engaged" said Maize slow
ly, "any more"
"Not engaged? What's the trouble,
dcar?" and Betty's arms went swiftly
about her friend.
"Why, we just decided that we
wouldn't be engaged any more" stam-
mered the girl.
OWE did? And when did we decL1e?"
questioned Betty sternly.
"Just this afternoon"
"But you haven't been out of your
room," objected Betty.
81 know; but I've been thinking
things over and 1 thought it best"
"You little wretch You never
thought it up at all. You aren't that
kind. You're too scared of hurting
peoples feelings. Frederick did it!'
proclaimed Betty triunlphantly.
Maize produced the letter for Betty,
who perused it, frowning as she read.
81 wonder why he insisted on having
the ring? It's my opinion that he's
after that rich Miss Adams" said
Betty. "I'll make him sorry for it, but
it's the best thing, Maize, that's hap
pened for a long while. Bob will have
chance now. I'll see to that my
self. I'll return the ring"
81 have something for you, Freddy
said Betty, when she found Frederick
and Miss Adams seated in a hammock
at the party that evening.
"Cant you guess what it is?' she
held both hands behind her, and sud-
denly frederick became alarmed.
Ibid you want to see me alone"
he questioned anXiously.
Cant you guess who sent it, then?
she queried; but Frederick did not
dare reply and Miss Adams suddenly
exclaimed, "Why, it's diamond ring!
See it sparkle!"
"Yes," said Betty, dropping it in
Miss Adams lap. Miss McGrath re-
turns it with her compliments to Mr..
Newhall and wishes to terminate her
engagement"
Wher 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. L am
somewhat Of stranger here and had
not heard" And the nan was left
alone gazing at diamond whose beau
ty did not cheer him In the least.s
Meanwhile Betty was busy telephon-
ing TO Bob Hastings to come to the
party.
"rll be there. You can count on
me-" Bob assured her over the phone.
That evening, early in the night, a
dfsgruntled man carried his empty
schemes and himself up to his room.
Early in the evening, too, Bob i'm
proved his opportunity.
81 understand you have broken your
engagement" he said, glancing at
Mazies unringed fingers.
"Yes, we had so little in common
that it seemed best to terminate our
engagement"
"Then will you marry me, Maize? /
never knew until your engagement
was announced that loved you." His
hand touched that little left hand,