The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1928-01-19
Changing Stones in
the Ring
9: DuFoRD JENNIE

is-Sis.it ID lhteISst i
..u.a where she had been reading
AZ lie shy. rosy face of Beth as
s:ls uttered the room.
.-f,eth. something has surely nap
persti What is it," Aline asked.
The dubbed. blond head nodded,
aud Reii, held out slim hand, and
IN the finger was a diamond ring.
.aiine SAT uI $50 now you have
gone and drne It'll Engaged to
pick Mperley. But are you sure
very sure-you want to spend tne
rest of your l:fe with him?"
The smooth cheeks deepened In
color. "Of course, ] am. I'm go.
ing to have a home of my own J.
she almost sang the sentence.
Aline unused; older, wiser, trained
in the ways of the great city, some
what cynical herself because OF
what she had seen and known, she
wondered to herself If this golden
haired lass was more In love Win
Meerley than the thought OF q
home. Probably Meerley loved her
as a man should; he seemed to;
but there was Ted Ransom. VINO
also loved her.
AIine sighed as she said, "Good
luck to you, Honey. Let's see your
precious stone"
Beth held out the slim finger, and
Aline looked at the stone, stared
and then looking closely for mo-
ment, patteC Beth's hand.
"Isn't 1t a beauty, Aline" Beth
asked, her eyes dancing.
"It ought to be to be in keeping
with you, you pretty thing" Aline
said with finality.
But the moment Beth had gone
from her room, Aline rushed to the
70, al of her special 'pal," Ruth
Graves, and blurted out to the
astonished girl:
"Ruth, can you imagine It? That
gabby Meerley has given Beth a
| glass diamond engagement ring
think Of It'll"
The other girl stared, then
laughed. 81 don't believe 1t, Al"
ST haven't worked in jewelry
store for ten years, my dear, with
out knowing one Of these fakes
when / see it."
But"
"Yet I'll make sure. I'll get 1t
from Beth by hook or crook, and
then I'll find out"
Aline did so, that evening, on the
pretense that the setting seemed to
be q bit loose; and the next morn
ing she went promptly to Ted RAN
i som at the diamond counter in the
store.
"Ted, here is Beth's engagement
ring that Meerley gave her. ] know
it is rubbing it in bit to come to
you, but you are the expert here. ]
want to find out If It is real"
His gray fine eyes darkened, and
his hand had a bit Of tremor as he
took the ring. Aline noticed 1t, and
said in her impulsive way:
"Ted, she ought to be yours; why
don't you try the old cayeman
theory?"
He smiled family. aWhat love
/ would not wish to hurt In any
way" He picked up the ring. "And
she loves him-and he seems to be
| a fine chap. TIL look this over care
fully and let you know, Aline. Just
now, have rush order"
When she came for the ring just
before starting home, he handed It
to her. 'Tt's all right. Aline. that
is the real thing"
There was nothing to DO but to
believe him, but she looked at the
ring the moment she reached her
room; and again she stared at the
symbol Of love which, in this case,
promised just the opposite to her
mind.
AS she pondered, Beth burst In.
"Qh, Aline, did you say the ring
was fake-dfd youl did your"
ruth has gossiped" Aline
thought with sudden dread. "Dear,
did think it was, but ! guess /
was wrong. You wait a moment"
She went to the hall phone, q
fiery determination flooding through
her, and called Ransom at his
apartment, and, as his pleasant
voice answered, she babe him come
to the house.
When he came into Aline's sit
ting room, his friendly face changed
suddenly as he saw Beth, and Beth
seemed to look at him hungrily.
"Ted, let's have the truth. The
ring ] took to you had q fake stone
in 1t, and you know it. This ring
has q beautiful stone I'm It, and
you put it In In place Of that fake"
Aline said bluntly.
Aline heard q faint gasp from
Beth, but Ted said nothing except:
81 am sorry you discovered it,
Alfne. Beth deserves a more beau
tiful one than even that, and
could not quite face the thought Of
her wearing that imitation. Be
sides"
"Besides,n Aline said quietly,
'.you never thought of what must
be In the heart Of q man who gives
the girl he loves fake ring. /
think Of It because i am woman,
suppose" She turned to Beth.
''Hon, do you want that fake ring
backY
Never Neveri Oh, AHne, i have
been so doubtful, too, and this
settles it, IT,
II know, dear, / know. Now,
look, I'm going out OF this room,
and I want you two to patch up
your old friendship; and after
,x,ordc xvos1J howe O roU111or food