Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-01-21
Four-Leaved
Clovers
By MARTHA MeWILLIAMS.

fresh white clover heads. The blue
eyes looking at il across Il low railing
bad II twinkle. behind their usefulness
for janet Reed. their owner. Was say
Ing half aloud. Now for a four
leufed clover. | know II | We're one
tils-is the exact spot where l would
choose Ia grow"
After a deep breath she looked care
fuig everywhere The turf was de-
serted. AudacioHsly she scrambled over
the boundary. dropping 10 her knees
ten yards from IL Ia search diligently
the heGuiling greenery's deepS.
Nothing rewarded her save now and
then new blossont sprung up since
yesterdays moving Tie cloSe-cutting
annoyed her: ever aunt ever 80 many
fine four-leafcd charms might have
beer sacrificed. So she rose and
wali,cd delicately. joying to feel the
turf yield under foot. 80 yards farther
ia 10 where ceutury-old lochsts hung
down lacy shadows, adding u new
charm 70 tue grass.
Kneelng again, she parted the
growth wherever clover was thickeSt,
but found nothing until she had half
crawled twice her original distance To
space 50 thinly set IT was almost
ragged
There moving had apparently been
held vain With a low gurgle of de-
light She bounced upon Il four-leaf-
another, still another, all sprung from
The same root. Success breeds avarice
she did not stop until she had seven
of the charm breeders safe in her
fingers. Then as she made 10 rise she
caught 4 CLEAN little way off. Half
minute later she had retrieved from
under a half uprooted grass clump a
heavy siguet ring. carved in low re-
lief. a mans ring. clearly-and so
handsome Il must have a history.
Janet all but forgot her clovers In the
rush of interest.
She was still solitary. hut a house,
wide, low and gray had become visible
through the shrubbery-of course she
ought to go there with her find
hut explaining the find might be
awkward.
As She stood turning the ring about
In her PALM trying vainly to discover
ir II were inscribed inside, some one
behind her asked curtly: "Why are
you here? You mist know this is very
private property, IL you know any
thing?"
Turning. she faced thinnish. elder
~ man with beak nose and sharp
eyes set under penthouse brows. The
eyes looked her through and through.
hut she was not frightened. Holding
out the muddled cloverS, She said, Il
came for-what you see ] have got.
And | have found-sometlIing else"
extending her left hand rs She spoke.
with the ring half on lis forelin%er.
"Findirg is not always keeping" the
man said. deity taking away the ring,
You may keep your fodder" con
temntHouSlY. ION condition that you
ten me exactly how you got the other
thing"
Showing is easier" Janet said
steppin. toward the looSencd sod and
half raising it with the toe of her
shoe.
$50" said the man. his eyes glued
10 her face. "But--are you sure YOU
didn't put It there on purpose TO be
found?"
"If YOU tlinli things of that sort the
sooner | 20 the better" Janet flung
back. her head high Give me the
ring. if You please. 1t may not belong
to you. amy more than 10 me That
must be determined If I am To feel
satisfied"
Il know the owner. Does that sat
isfy yout" the Old. man demanded
with a gllnmering grin. Janet shock
her head a suspicious person is
had trustee" she said. The ring. if
YOU please l shall not go without it,"
"'rhcn. Miss Spittire. you are likely
"a take root" her tormentor bantered.
ny this time quite half-hnman. lie
held the ring tantalizingly between
thumb and finger. shaking it round
and round. Janet knew she could
snatch II and run away safely. But
She was not the sort for any such
proceeding.
My name is Reed-Janet Reed"
she said clearly. 4 am staying with
the Grays for a short vacation. Be
fore it ends hope you Will decide to
do the right thing"
Going, hey. After all the bluif :"
the old man flung at her, actually
smiling. Il won't give you back the
ring-my word is sacred-but you shall
have tin exchange for something /
prefer
WHAT" Janet asked breathlessiy
',rhe whole truthr from her an
tasoniSt. III you planted the ring
AMI how and why-the where / know
already"
Ianets eyes flashed. her fists
clinched hard, but her voice was low
and deadly aS she answered: Men
have been killed for lesser insult. In
stead of killing you. ask you to-
explain"
NY theory" from her antagonist
She nodded-Sreech WAS beyond her.
..rr,,a ring hein. UNIQUE as we'll AZ