Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-01-30
Friend in Need
and in Deed
By DUFORD JENNIE


Wells looked at her with admiration
even as she plainly told him how she
regarded him. He did not wonder that
his close friend, Elmer Hayes, was
finding her beauty almost mesmeriz-
higher dark hair, thick and lustrous,
made even more unusual and appeal
ing the odd golden tint of her eyes.
81 understand your feeling" he said
calmly, but also know that you
have stepped In between the girl to
whom he is engaged and with whom
he would be happy"
She laughed her metallic laugh that
was far from the velvety affair she
used with Elmer. "How do you know
that?"
"YOu know very well, yourself. You
are simply playing with Elmer-just
as | am aware you have with others.
You are shallow, treacherous, and
you'll come pretty close to wrecking a
fine chap and fine girls happiness :"
"Pooh, Wells. It is unfortunate that
you and l happened to grow up to-
gether. As for Elmer, like him."
1.-THE point is-would you marry
himT
"That is my business, my friend.
Now you better goi"
When Wells reached the apartment
he shared with Elmer, he found the
latter busy with small package
which he was undoing.
look at this, old man; isn't that
a beauty?" Elmer asked, his fine SEN
sltlve face lighting.
He held up a necklace, exquisltely
wrought, just the kind to adorn a
round. white, beautiful throat.
Wells gasped. "It's beauty, Ed.
For Ruth, 1 suppose"
Elmer's face changed. Emo. I
got It for verna."
But"
Now, Merit, I know how you feel,
but that's who gets It."
"All right. then, but are you sure
you want to give up Ruth"
Elmer leaned back, his eyes dark
ened. II know. ought to call
things off with her-or decide. I can't
bear to think Of giving her up-and
yet verna-well. hang 1t, verna gets
1t, that's certain"
"Then, why not play fair; release
Ruth-there are number who would
be glad to win her"
You're right. She telephoned that
she wanted you and me to come out
tonight to dinner with the family;
and I1l-I'll tell her tonight" He
stared at the necklace in his hand, and
Wells knew It was not the necklace
he was seeing but the future.
sand, remember, old pal, it's not
matter of brown hair staying brown
but growing silver with the years."
Wells added quietly, Now, If I'm
going with you, must run down and
| get shave"
Elmer reused himself. "All right,
and, say, mail these letters and send
that package by messenger. Save me
the trouble"
An hour later the two friends start
ed for the suburb where Ruth had
her home. On the way little was said,
for their friendship was old and mere
cOmpanlOnship sufliced, nor was the
matter that worried both Of them re-
ferred to except In a comment by FL
mer:
81 suppose IL step out with Ruth
You will step in"
"You can bet I will try. But the
gray's in my hair pretty thick She
| ought IN have n rnafa of har no Cha'd
be great pal, fine mother to his
kids, and she'd be true to the end
| a One-man woman"
'Mebbe," Elmer answered aimless-
~.
When they found themselves, later,
greeting her. all that Wells had said
came back forclbly to his mind Her
dark eyes had the frank, wlnsome
look Of one whose life runs like
| crystal stream, deep and peaceful,
without treacherous depths OF thought
| and mood
Wells saw during the dinner that
Nmer's eyes were often upon her and
she did look like white rose and all
| the white rose signifies 81 bet he's
wondering about that necklace" Wells
thought "and wishing he had II back"
When the maid called her from the
table on some errand Wells looked at
his chum. and the latter looked at him
In dumb misery that told plainly the
regret that Wells had surmised.
When she came in again her cheeks
were tinted deep. her dark eyes full
OF happiness that made Wells heart
ache even as his own began to pound.
She stopped before them, her eyes
shining on them and on Elmer
Don't you see, you blind ones |
Mother. gift from Elmer Oh, you
dear!" she said softly.
Around the slim, full throat was
verna's necklace. Evidently the mes
senger had just arrived with 1t.
Amid the exclamation Of pleasure,
Wells glanced at his chum and saw
him leap to his feet, gather her in
his arms and kiss the white throat
where the necklace lay. Her fathers
face was white with emotion re-
strained her mothers frankly misty
at the quick happiness that had come
before them.
| Wells took n long drink of water.
On the way to the smoking room
after dinner Elmer whispered in his
ear: you sent that to her instead
| of Vernal !"
Wells nodded. Elmer pressed his
hand, and said simply.
Thank God! You're a friend In
need and deed!"