New Britain herald., 1926-12-21

 said quietly and Jim Elwell's awk- wardncss vanished. She motioned for them to sit down.
 You were surprised of course. when you read my note," she began when the three were seated on a divan, Jim in the center, and she had taken the chair facing them.
 Jim acknowledged that they had been.
 The lady smiled You know who I am. don't you? You have, perhaps, seen or read of Nina Kingsley"
 Jim Elwcll reluctantly was forced to confess both for himself and his companions that none of them had ever seen or heard of the lady until that afternoon, confession that brought from her low, musical laugh and faint grimace.
 Such was fame. she remarked in mock bitterness. Here am l, a star that has been shining more or less brilliantly in the theatrical firma- mcnt for twenty years and yet-oh we'll" and the sentence was finish ed with an elaborate shrug of the shoulders. a gesture at once eloquent anG graceful and, Rusty and Betty at once concluded, decidedly rcminis- cent of the grand French ladies they had read about.
 
 "We'll let it go at that" Nina Kingsley went on. And now" and she smiled engagingly cnce more, your are no doubt anxious to know what meant in that note had the waiter fetch you. The ring" she indicated the diamond worn by Betty II recognized the instant I saw it down there in the palm room on &C., count of it's odd setting"
 The setting" she went on was a very special one, the only one of it's kind she had ever seen, and, besides, it had been designed for specific purpose.
 But tell us" Rusty began eagerly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining with excitement.
 Nina Kingsley checked her. For give me. You must be anxious to know it al lat once. The ring--your father" and at the words the twins started eagerly-''gave it toto a yer dear friend of mine an actress, as an engagement ring. Afterward the engagement was broken and the ring was returned to him."
 "Oh, you-you knew our father!" exclaimed Betty in a trembling voice. And our mother-did you know her?"
 Rusty bent forward breathlessly.
 "I knew your father, yes, but not your mother-that is, not personally. I saw her but once," the woman re- piled with just tinge of coldness in her voice. Your father was the fiance of -er- my friend until he met the lady he afterward married, your mother"
 Rusty sank back in her chair, keenly disappointed. But Betty,
 
 Of the divan with tense clutch of her fingers. And our father" she whispered. what was his name?"
 His name?" repeated the woman, her eyebrows lifting slightly. Why, your father, my dear, was cutie a celebrity in the vaudeville world and on the Big Time. His name was Danvers-John K. Danvers!"
 And mothers name-her maiden name l mean?"
 But the answer was disappointing Really, l don't think I ever heard" Nina Kingsley said.
 There was a brief silence. Then the actress held out her hand toward Betty. Would you allow me to ex- anime the ring for a moment? Per- haps I'll be able to show you some- thing you've never yet seen."
 Wonderingly, and with just suspicion of hestancy. Betty re- moved the ring from her finger and laid it in the woman's outstretched hand.
 AS the ring touched her hand, Nina Kingsley trembled slightly and a red flush sprang to her cheeks. In her dark eyes burned an odd light as she began twisting the jewel in her fingers.
 The twins were leaning forward in their seats, watching her tensely. Jim Elwell was studying the woman