The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-12-11

cry, but Peggy realized that she
was not meeting his eye because
she knew she would laugh with
him if she did. And she knew that
would never do.
'Having progressed so rapidly,
suppose you describe the afore-
mentioned ring" He took an en-
velope and pencil from his pock-
ct and sat forward evidently pre-
pared to write.
"It's a big diamond-a square
i cut one"
ooh, I see, nice JUICY square
tcut solitaire"
| Yes. No-wait a minute. 1t
wasn't just solitaire. There were
some other stones with it-sap-
phires. Yes, remember there
were several sapphires."
He looked at her in surprise.
I"Are you by any chance descrlb-
ing your own engagement ring?
tOr is this something you saw one
day as you passed a jewelers.
Window"
| Peggy did feel foolish. Don't
be ridiculous. I am so upset and
worried I can scarcely think"
/ ooh, I'm sorry. All right, then,
we have it a square cut diamond
with some sapphires. How many
sapphires?"
II don't know"
His only reply was slight rails
ing of his eyebrows which Peggy
saw beneath half-lowered lids.
"Were they in any kind of a de-
sign or-just there?"
"f.euvens! I don't know. A.u
| find any square cut diamond ring
with some sapphires in it, and ]
assure you that will be the ring"
Peggy had jumped to her feet an
grily, and was standing at the en-
trance to the summer house with
her gack to him.
She heard the rustling of paper
as he stuffed the envelope back
in his pocket.
"It just doesn't make sense he
announced, joining her. IF I gave
a girl a ring like that and she
couldn't describe it any more
clearly than you have I'd know
darn we'll she didn't care anything
! about me-"
"Have you been engaged and
married frequently, Mr.. Newton?"
ct? Oh, no. I know I'm funny
that way. I've always felt that I
only wanted to propose to one
girl, and that would be the girl l
was darn sure I wanted to mar
ry."
"And you haven't found the
girl, in spite of knowing so we'll
how she would be affected by the
ring?"
eyes, I'm pretty sure that I've
found the girl" he replied
thoughtfully. II was getting lit
tie low at the prospect of mar
riage, but my hopes are getting
higher. 1t may all come out all
right after all"
There was a low whistle on the
other side of the hedge which
neither Of them heard.
'But 1 don't like looking for
anything so indefinite as this ring
as you describe it. Perhaps it
would be better to ask the young
man. Probably he could tell me
more about it."
Peggy was conscious that STAN
ley was watching her closely.
Unfortunately, he is out of
town." she replied casually.
"When will Sc be back?"
''Next week"
But just as she spoke she rea-
|lized a man had suddenly ap-
peared in the opening in the side
of the hedge.
I Harry" she cried aghast.
At the sight of the two figures
in the summer house Harry had
retreated from view. Stanley
Newton started forward but she
laid a restraining hand on his arm,
and he turned back.
"Who is he?" he asked, puz-
zled expression on his face.
"Could he be the thief"
"Heavens. MOI"
At her tone, he turned to her
quickly.
"You don't mean that he is the
man to whom you are engaged?'
Peggy remained silent.
well, now, isn't that just dan
dy! This beloved fiance who is to
be out of town for another week
suddenly appears from behind
hedge and at the sight Of me
beats it. And as for you, instead
of rushing to the arms of your
lover, you utter terrified squeal
of Harry and look as if you were
going to faint. Now I ask you, is
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