Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-04-24
The Girl Who
Looked Back
(Copyright.)
By CLARISSA MACKIE

IN had just arrived. Her clear gray
eyes were filed with dread as she put
1t away in her desk and leaned back
in the chair.
So Billy Lansing was coming home
at last-and he evidently expected to
come straight to Avon and claim her
as his betrothed. She opened a secret
drawer in the desk and took out a
little box which contained q splendid
diamond solitaire ring. She had taken
it from her engagement finger six
renee Batten, and now there was just
one thing that stood between her en-
gagement to Lawrence and the return
of the ring to Billy.
That one thing was the absence of
Billy himself in South America. She
could not write the bitter truth to him
she had received the ring from
Billy's hands, and she must have the
courage TO give him back the ring and
face him, and give him back his great
love. It was hard duty to perform.
but when Lawrence was near, with his
persuasive voice, 1t seemed easy to en-
tighten Billy. But now, with Billy so
near-just arrived in New York after
two years absence. and coming right
down to Avon that very night!
II must telephone Lawrence not to
come tonight" she thought, and she
crossed the room to the instrument.
After that was done. she felt better.
There was something magical in Law
rences deep vibrant voice, but there
was something lacking. She chided
herself for missing the old tender con-
fidence that Billy had inspired-Of
course, she had known Billy practical
ly all her life, and their love had been
affection.
1T isn't real love-" she told herself.
impatiently, when she felt doubt con-
fusing her judgment; sit is more like
cousinly affection, nothing else"
She went to tell her mother that
Billy Lansing would be there In time
for dinner.
~ am glad, DEAR" said Mrs. JOY;
Billy Lansing is splendid boy, and he
has. made great name for himself In
the engineering world"
$50 dad says" remarked Rose I'm u
constrained tone. She noticed her
mothers quick glance at her left hand.
where Billy's diamond was no longer
cleaning. Mrs. Joy had expressed her.
self emphatically when Lawrence Bat
ten first became attentive. "That ring
means something or nothing, my DEAR"
she had told her daughter, and Rose
had put it away. She knew that her
mother wondered.
Rose wondered little herself. Had
she the courage to strike the light
from Billy's eyes the first night of his
return?
That night when Rose went down to
dinner she was wearing Billy's ring,
and Billy himself, with the glad look
in his eyes, first kissed Rose and then
bent to kiss the symbol of their be-
trothal-as if to seal the pact.
Seals are broken sometimes"
thought Rose in a very strange mood,
for although Billy's actual presence
had not brought the wild thrill that
she felt at every careless tone of Law
rence's voice. she felt certain sense
of cOntentment with Billy.
"YOu are lovelier than ever l have
dreamed, my Rose" murmured Billy as
they walked in the garden after dinner.
"But l am not lovely in spirit, Billy
dear" said the girl. "I-I-am q
traitor to you"
He flinched, and swung about to face
her in the bright moonlight. He was
leaning against the old fence that
separated garden and orchard. "What
10 you mean, Rose?'
IL thought believed truly, that
would always care as much" she fall
tered, and tears came into her eyes.
Don't cry about me- dear. l don't
want any woman to shed tears about
me unless she belongs to me-and If
| have lost your lOve-why, we don't
belong" he said tensely
81 know it--but | seem to care in
just the same way as ever-but I atm
afraid that it Is not the real way"
Use, Rose" he asked grimly.
She nodded speechIessly, and held
nut the cleaning ring.
He took 1t and dropped 1t into his
pocket. "Who Is tt?" he asked curl
ously.
Ellis name Is Batten--I.awrence Bat
ten." She did not feel SO joyfully free
MS she had anticipated. Billy had
taken it quietly-perhaps he was glad
maybe there was another girl
''Batten-Larry Batten? Never
heard Of him. Well, dear, don't shed
tears over me-" he managed to smile
at her as he patted her shoulder
"Tll try to like this Batten man-after
while; be as happy as you can,
Rosie-I believe I'll go in and have
pipe with your father before bedtime