New Britain herald., 1929-07-26

hand. What do you mean? You see it's too large, dear, I'd lose it." No" He shook his head. 'No, that's not it, Molly You don't like it because it's little. You're disappoint- ed. I can tell. Never mind. I'll get you another one. A big one. like Claudia Cabot's." He boasted arro- gantly. "I'll have raise pretty quick, and get you a knockout stone. I'm sorry I bought that thing.
 Jack Wells, are you crazy?"
 Molly's eyes were full of shining tears. She smiled luminously. And. bending, kissed him softly, How could she say that it might not be wise to wear an engagement ring to work the first morning? Like tell | ing everyone you were just about married. . A girl without any romantic entanglements got along better in business. Men aren't inter- ested in engaged girls.
 Then, suddenly, Molly was sorry she had hesitated. What did she care about newspaper men? Didn't she love Jack with all her heart? And now she'd hurt his feelings!
 Sweetheart" she cried, and held the little ring toward him. Wish it on for me. And I'll never take it off till you put wedding ring beneath it."
 But her lover was filled with shame and humiliation, and a sort of heart breaking anger. He reached. and taking the ring, dropped it over- board
 "Oh." Molly's startled cry broke on a sob. Jack"
 You didn't want it." he said.
 But I did! Oh. Jack. Jack," She leaned over the side of the boat Its gone" she said. and her voice was flat and empty. Tt was so white and shining and now it's gone" She put her white fingers to her face
 "Yes," he answered duly. And he wondered if there was anything symbolic in her words. If their love, which was also white and shining. had also gone?
 Molly was crying softly.
 My poor dear little ring," she sobbed. II loved it so much. And now I'll never see it again. It's down in all that awful mud, Way down at the bottom of the pond. And all that money thrown away. Oh, Jack. how could you!"
 That's nothing" he bragged. Money isn't going to count with me much longer. I'll have enough of it to buy you any darn thing your lt- tie heart wants. By the way. darling. did I tell you I'm going to New York first thing in the morning."
 Jack Wells! You're not either!"
 "Yes, I am. I report for work Wednesday"
 And I'll be in Boston all alone
 "Oh, mo-" He corrected her gently You'll have Rita and Bob, and Ruth Woods and her husband. And there's your new job. You won't be lonely
 But I want you." she cried Never anybody but you"
  "Y You've made your choice" he re. minded her. You'd never be satis. fled unless you'd found something tt do. It's bettr, you said, than sitting around. hemming dish towels, and playing bridge"
 Have you packed yet?"
 No, it won't take long. Throw g few shirts in bag. Only thing I have that's worth anything is my sweet. hearts picture. and the beautiful cuff links and the cigarette lighter she gave me"
 "I'll help you pack" she offered
 What" Jack pretended to be shocked
 Don't be silly" she admonished.
 Mrs. Maloney would be shocked to death. Gee, she might put you out"
 Molly consulted her watch.
 Its exactly 10 minutes past 1o.' she said. And I'm not a bit afraid of Mrs. Maloney. Come on. Star rowing"
 Shell have a fit" he predicted darkly
 Maybe she won't be home"
 "Oh. she'll be home all right She's always home. She hasn't an, place else 10 go"
 Molly had never been to Jack quarters before, and every girl i curious about the sort of a place { | n, in Do ,,l, |, II, loves that man.
 You wouldn't get a kick out o visiting my room.' observed Molly But I will out of seeing yours"
 And she reflected that Jack knev so many little personal things abou her that there would be nothing particularly revealing about hel room. He knew more than a mere bedroom could ever tell him.
 He knew, for instance. that sht used violet toilet soap. And swee pea perfume, and baby's talcun powder He knew that her favorite color was orchid. And that she hat taffeta coverlet that she bough second hand from a girl at college for s20, because she had told hin about it.
 Yes, after all man knows pretty much about gi1l. But girl doesn'' know much of anything about man until she's see his room. Or read hi. letters from his family. Or looked over his snapshots.
 Molly, like all women, wa. curious.
 And Jack, it happened, was wrong about Mrs. Maloney. She had gon, to the second show at the movies And there was nobody in the house excepting Miss Blake who lived or the lrst floor front, and was deaf a. a post. The place was in pitch dark ness, except for light in Mis-! I3la Ee'S room She a1WayS cat in lat o