Evening star., 1926-09-22

The rings. Give me the 1lnSS.
Mario Milana clutched Carolita by the
shoulders. his fingers bruising her ten
der flesh.
He spoke in Spanish. and it was the
most natural thing in the world for
S'arolita to answer him in the same
language. America, the train journey
the long sea voyage. all faded into q
misty dream. She must be back In
South America again. travelling some
where with an unknown man.
.'The rings he insisted. "Where
are they"
Carolita clung to her corner OF the
rapidly-moving motor car. making a
vain effort to shake off his hold.
Take your hands from my shoul
ders'" Anger was conquertng her frs'
terrible fear, and the thing OF para
mount importance was to be released
from his grip. "Ill tell nothlns uhtl
YOU free me. I'll die first.
His grasp upon her relaxed, but ne
moved closer.
well then" he said. well them"
.'Nho are YOU? Why do you follow
me? Why did you command me to
rush from the train and into tnls
motor? Where are we going? ny
have YOU made me leave my friends!
.F'riendsr' his tone was sneering
did you not read Wndl oe,Au y,
voung REYNOLDS? Do you still feel
him a friend?"
IT do not believe a word that you
say or write. l do not even kno"
you!' .,
tYet YOU came with me-" He could
not suppress a note Of triumph, and
the girl shuddered.
"Where are you taking me?" she
looked out upon the brilliantly hghteo
streets Of Los Angeles, almost empty
at this hour of the night, and her gaze
wandered back into the motor ana sd"
that it was an expensive limousine
driven by a livered chauffeur. -.
You haven't given me the rings!
the Italian began again. How can
YOU expect me to answer your ques.
tions until you obey! Here he selzed
her again. place them In my hano'
instantly."'
long breath Her hour of trial hao
come. Would it mean death?
"1f YOU don't speak" he threatened,
'vou will be exceedingly sorry his
voice was very quiet, but inspired
more fear than his angrier tones.
II am going to speak" she began
knowing that her fate hung upon
her reply, and steeling her nerves. II
do not understand. OF what rings dc
You understand perfectly. he
was furious now. 1.-THE sisters gave
YOU a priceless ruby, instructing you
TO wear it upon arrival at Los An
eeles. They. told you that one Woulo
meet you, wearing upon his hand a
similar ring. DO YOU pretend you dc
not understand? You were quick &c
respond when I gave you the sigma
On the steamer, You are endangerine
Give them to me instantly.
You cannot frighten me-" Carolita
was amazed at her own bravery! l,
was desperation, of course. She nae
heard that one grew heroic when rae
ing death. MY life is of no impor
tance to myself or any one else, ano
] cannot give you what L do not pos
sess"'
WHAT" his grip was so terrific
that she cried out in pain. ana tne
driver of the car turned and looked
hack. causing the man at her side tC
release his hold.
You lie he said very low, you
stole my ring from about my neck
while lay unconscious.
Il stole YOUR ring Carolita gaspeo
with surprise. What are you saying!
] never even knew YOU were IN the
train?"
on lie. ne Iepeilcu 'ohhi' A'0"
for the last time, answer!
"J am answering. There was no one
In the berth opposite when L went tc
ned. at least | supposed not. In the
morning | heard the conductor say
chat a man had died in lower l. Later
he made me look at that man. | rec
ognized YOU! I knew nothing of your
ring, If YOU don't believe me you can
hiH me! I'm ready.
MY God" he groaned. My GOD
He drew handkerchief from his
pocket and wiped his brow, breathing
heavily.
who could have foreseen such a
thing?' he muttered, and then: "She
took It. she took It. she took 1t, over
and over his words came, as II per
suading himself. 1t was some minutes
before he rallied sufficiently to address
Cerolta again, and now his tones
were even more insistent.
AT least give mo Your ring. he
said. THAT may yet save the day!
Carolitas heart turned over. She
experienced a desperate singing feel
ing. faintness that made her suddenly
i'll "I cannot--do not ask mel
haven't it-now'-her words came
slowly.
once more his cruel grip CLOSED
upon her.
NO nonsense. Hand IL over OF
You'll be sorry, l know where womer
hide their Jewels. Come, be quick. 1T
was too much.
Carolita's head swan. and she Went
limp in Milana's grasp. The car
swayed 1t had grown very dark. Or
and on-into the night--on and on
And then after long time she be
came conscious that the man was
holding her in his arms, tanning hel
with his hat.
There now" he said, stop faintine
and answer me, Where did you leave
your ring? Did you give 1t to the
young MANI"
II told you l haven't it," she mur
INJURED. the world rocking about her
Are you mad. girl? Where is the
ring? What induced you to part with
Il? Didn't the sisters warn you?"
Yes, they warned me-" Carolita
answered family, but there came a
search of all the train--they thought
YOU were murdered. Each one had to
he examined. all ones possessions
looked over"
'Well?" breathlessly.
Il dared not show the ring. hid il
In the car
The Lord have mercy: You left it
In the carr"
"Yes!
But why? When | regained con
sciousness. what had you then to