Evening star., 1926-09-12

Paul REYNOLDS could not have eX-
planned the strange, compelling force
which had driven him to claim for his
own the unseen treasure in the con
ductor'S hand, nor could he have in
terpreted the instinct which told him
that the object found by the porter
was the ring of mystery. He. was
fully conscious Of the terrific risk he
ran in claiming the loss of ring. a
thing he had never owned, yet the
risk seemed uninportant, trivial, in
che face of the Veiled but terrible dan
ger which the presence OF the ring
appeared to represent to the Slrl Tor
whose safety he now felt responsible:
If he had not already said to her: Il
love YOU" he knew that he must do
So lie could not help himself.
Il should think that you would
have missed your ring if it is of any
value; can you describe it?" The train
conductor was doing the questioning
this time.
Yes, it's a queer thing. weird look
ing, a ruby set in heavy gold" His
mind was working like chain light
ming, every nerve taut and vibrating.
What shape is the stone?" the
calm inquiry went on, "can you draw
it?"
II think so. but why the mystery
Have you found two rings"'
mo. Draw a sketch of the ring,
please
I'm not much of an artist" Paul
took out his fountain pen as he
spoke" Have you a bit OF paper:
Thanks" 1t took all his control to
keep his hand from shaking as it
drew "A brief outline of his one vivid
impression Of the ring he had seen
upon the womans hand. and passed
the paper to the conductor, who eX-
amined it closely.
Carolita had risen and stood at
Paul's side, a simple act which thrilled
him through and through, but he
dared not look at her.
Mr.. Reynolds" the Pullman official
broke the silence, you were sitting
with Miss Menendez in section 3
last evening"
Eyes, wasn't it there that the por-
ter found the ring?"
Were you wearing the ring?'
"He was showing it TO me-" volun-
teered Carolita, he" voic' astounding
ly calm and salf-possessed, ''it was be
cause Of the Spanish word engrav"
upon the inside.
What are thess words. Mr.. Rey.
nolds?" he threw Carolita d glance
which said: Don't answer until ques-
toned.
One seconds hesitation. an awful
feeling that the game was up, and
then like a flash came the memory OF
the words Carolita had spoken II few
hours before in connect on with the
dead traveller. He had embarrassed
her by calling her "Sweethearta"
The words in Spanish WERE"
"Carolita," he said, Il guess you'll
have to help me out, | know 1t means
sweetheart-Dulce Cor-I'm certain
ly a dummy about foreign languages.
Dulce Corazon, Oh, | am so glad
YOU did not lose such a beautiful ring
How came we to drop it. do Nou
thitk?
Were they right? Pau! held his
breath. Did the girl really know all
about this ring. or had she jumped al
the one straw left to save them both
from drowning?
Tho onductors talked aside Il few
minules. and Mr.. Gaines. who had
been standing in the aisle came closer
his eyes fastend upon them. Again
Paul's brain telegraphed its warning
signal. This man must not see the
ringl
The conductor stepped to Paul's side
and held out his hand.
You have identified your ring be
yond all question, Mr.. Reynolds. Here
il is." Paul felt it slip into his grasp
which promptly closed upon it, Let
me counsel you to toe more careful
With your possessions. Peculiar stu
ations such as this one are more like
courtship" allowed his glance tC
rest significantly upon Carolita
Don't lose your head
''SaN'' Gaines smoke his