Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-10-10
The Initials
in Her Ring
By L. E. ANDREWS

(Copyright.)
A s ELEANOR HUSTON hurried
"A out of the employees entrance
OF Dunlap's Department store, she
hoped that Ted Neilan wouldn't be
waiting for her. But there he was
His taxicab shone with new varnish,
and his face shone with good nature
ooh, Ted. I'd just as lief walk
home tonight" she demurred.
"Walki" Ted grinned. AFTER
standing on your feet behind glove
counter all day? Not much Little
Grill Hop in. Wen stop In the
park few minutes, If you want to
get breath of fresh air."
Eleanor's heart sank until it
seemed to locate itself somewhere in
the very toes of her pretty slippers.
1t was going to be hard to tell Ted
the truth.
A little unconscious sigh YEARLY
escaped her, as she sank into the
seat beside Ted. She kept her left
hand carefully concealed lest Ted
should see the square little bulge on
her gloved third finger.
AT the entrance to the park, Ted
smiled al her. "Everybody's gone
home to supper" he chuckled "Well
have the whole place to ourselves. A
fellow surely likes to be alone with
his best girl when he proposes to her."
Eleanor's heart gave a convulsive
bound. Once she had looked eagerly
forward to this moment. Now she felt
sick and frightened. Ted's arms went
about her. She pushed him away
wildly.
Don't, Ted, don'tP' she begged
piteously 81 can't bear it-now!"
"Why, Eleanor" Ted's tone was
tenderly reproachful. 'Ive waited
weeks to ask you to marry me. |
can't keep it in any longer. I've saved
enough so we can have our own little
apartment. No more working in an
old store for Mrs. Ted Neilan."
Eleanor felt as If she were sui
locating. "Oh, Ted, I've got to tell
you'll" she gasped live promised
to marry another man."
She drew off her glove with a quick
twitch. On her slim white finger
shone a great emerald.
Eleanor, whoever the fellow is, he
must he a millionaire to afford such
rim" - that" he told her.
The c'lor was coming back into
Eleanors delicate face "He is a
millionaire" she asserted. "He came
into the store one day to buy some
gloves for his sister. He-he says
he just fell in love with me then"
Gan ask this guys manner" Ted's
voice was gruff, as if he were trying
to keep It from shaking.
His name is Harold lie Fargo and
he's a relative of the Eastern Ii
Fargo family. They made theil
money in coal, you know"
Ted swallowed hard Eleanor, do
you love him?" he asked softly.
Eleanor tiinched, as If he had
struck her She thought that she
knew Ted Neilan, but the strange
caressing note in his voice thrilled her
through and through. Il don't
hupN. size iuylCICu. oul IC =
some and he has a way. And I've
promised TO marry him."
Without another word, Ted turned
the cab about. His face was white.
'Goodby. Eleanor" he said, as he
left her az the door of her shabby
little boarding house.
Eleanor mounted the stairs to her
tiny hall bedroom and threw herself
on her bed "Oh, Ted, you're a dar.
lingl' she sobbed 81 wish ! hadn't
been so hasty."
To relieve her mind, she tried to
think of the handsome glib-tongued
man she had promised to marry
Once more she looked at the emerald
on het finger. It's deep green light
fascinated her.
"A girl can't wait forever for
man to propose" she muttered. "And
Harold can give me what Ted never
can"
Slipping the ring off, Eleanor held
II I'D to the light. III L. r. to Z
NJ H." she read But there was
something else there n faint lettering
she had cot noticed before Nerv.
ously she turned II about There
was an abraded place. The electric
light picked II out, shone on the dim
engraving with almost X-ray clear.
ness cold chill passed over her
81. NJ. G. to G. D. NJ" she wills
pered family. Joseph M Cline
The Cline emeralds were stolen more
than a year ago, and advertised from
coast to coast. ! won't believe this is
one OF them; won't Harold
wouldn't steal"
A small voice refused to be stiiled.
"What do you know of Harold?" II
asked deep In her heart what do
you really know OF him?''
A host of little things suddenly
stood out in her mind Harold's
eynsiveness his mysterious absences
from town Conviction grlIped Flea
nor She snaTched her hat and coat.
She was going 10 Ted Ted would
know what to do
II was nearly midnight when Fed
and Eleanor again stopped In the
park The hig emerald had been
promptly clHiurI ~ u member ot the
Cline family. AMI Harold was In the
cuslHiy of the pnl!cr Eleanor shud
dered when she Thought OF him
"Oh Ted suppose suppose 70
mnrried tibet 80 she cried
Ted chucklrd "Wuuld you rather
marry lroi hut punesi taxicab drlv
err? no munired III you would, ri
give sou nn"ihet RIM with the right
lniih'ls insid, If n"
Eipnun, : hr Rcni down on his
shoulder i1 IN buy that rlnp
Eight nuuy ~'t III him Dllssfully