The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-11

prismatie lights, glittering, alive. She loved it.. wondered at it, smiled upon it. For it was mare than a diamond, it was the symbol of her troth.
 It was the first beautiful trinket she had ever possessed. Her. life had been bare of trinkets up to the time when Bert had placed the ring on her finger. She had placed the ring on her finger She had gasped "A real diamond" For she had expected nothing of the kind. He had smiled into her innocent, happy eyes. Cost me POO plunks, Jen- ny. You don't want to lose it." q should say not!" she had promised breathlessly.
 It was now the third month she had worn her ring, but she had never grown accustomed to it's beauty and brilliancy or the thrill of it's message that she and Bert belonged to each other. Ever fact spoke to her fhis love and care for her. At night she awoke and felt the stone in the darkness and pressed her lips to it, then fell asleep again with joy on her face.
 Now holding her hand high in the sunlight, she danced few steps, laugh ing up at it's sparkle, until a step and q voice interrupted and arrested her. She turned to see her mothers neighbor and .Bert's aunt gazing upon her with dought in her stern eyes.
 I'm sorry to, see you so happy, Jeps- n.y." she said, for I've got to spoil it all for you. hate to do it, but it isn't right to keep it away from you. 1 told Bert should tell you"
 "What| Jenny's eyes demanded equally with her voice.
 T was over to Alton yesterday" Mrs. Lathrop. said. Jack took me in his car. went on purpose to see Bert and take him some little things I'd fixed for him. Jenny, Bert is going with a girl oyer there, girl by the name of Charlotte Pixley. She doesn't know he's engaged to you"
 Jenny sat down upon the grass. She looked up. She looked around. The sky was still blue, the trees waved, her mothers peoples famed crimson. She began to pick at the grass. Charlotte Pixley f' she repeated.
 'She ain't as good looking as you to my mind," said Mrs. Lathrop. "She has red hair. I hate red hair. But Bert seems all taken up with her. He and I had quite talk. We've didn't part very good friends"
 Jenny looked up into the older wo- mans face with a queer little laugh. Well, of course, if Bert finds he likes her better than he does me he must have her, that's all. I-I want him to be suited" she said. @s
 Bert" said Mrs. Lathrop angrily, ''is a fool" She waited for Jenny to speak again, but the girl sat still pull ing at the grass with her right hand. With a long look at her Mrs. Lathrop went away, signing and shaking her head.
 sJenny began to repeat to herself Charlotte Pixley Charlotte Pixley p Presently she looked at her left hand, studying the ring thoughtfllly.
 ''I must send it back to him. Of course. He will want it for Charlotte"
 She arose and went into the house., to the small desk in the living rom where she had written her letters to Bert and where she kept his. She found a tiny box ready stuffed with cot ton; it had held a trinket that Bert had given her on her birthday, and it would do nicely for the ring. She pulled the jewel from her finger, feeling at the same moment as if her soul were coming out by the roots. 3ut her hand was steady as she wrapped the tiny box and directed it. Without waiting she went straight to the post office.
 As she came out Julia Lloyd met her. "Oh, Jennyv' Julia said, all flushed and eager. Come in to Morgans with me. will you? They've got some new rings, and Frank wants me to look at them. He is going to get me a real dia- mond for my anniversary present"
 Jenny went with her into the jew eler's. He laid the tray of sparklers before them and Julia exclaimed and while Jenny stood coldly and silently enduring beside her.
 4Of course I mustn't let my husband buy me a very large diamond" Julia said. Let me see the size of yours, Jenny" She sought Jenny's bare hand. '%Why! What have you done with it?' she demanded.
 Jenny smiled with white lips. "I-lost it." she lied bravely.
 Lost it" cried Julia. Why it's bad luck to lose your engagement ring. And that was such beauty. Bert got it here, remember. 1t must have cost a lOt. 4AuAl IL, W HI OAc Wdb dSA- ing the young jeweler. As he flushed with embarrassment she exclaimed quickly "Will Morgan! You never sold Bert Lathrop one of those syn thetic things for Jenny's ring%
 "Well-it was what he wanted" Will in despair. And you can't tell the difference-unless you put them under glass;" He became helpless and confused.
 Jenny had turned away with a laugh. "Of course I don't mind losing it now know it is worthless" she said 
 Julia moved after her. Jenny But Jenny went out of the store, straight home.
 Her mother had not yet come in and she had the living room to herself. Lying down upon the davenport she buried her face in the pillow.
 So her diamond had not been real any more than Bert's love One had been as cheap an imitation as-the other Both had deceived her in the same way.
 She wondered what would have hap pened if she had gone Oh wearing the imitation jewel and keeping the imita- tion love. Possibly she would never have found out about the ring, but about Bert's love she must have found little would have come in and then-her lite would have cme in and then-her heart would break in earnest.
 She lay very still thinking it all over, piecing her love story together bit by bit. She had been dazzled by Bert, dazzled by the ring. She recalled the jewel and marveled that false as it was 1t could sparkle so brightly.
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