Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17
CHAPTER XVI.
The Fate of the Ruby.

Phil paused for a few enchanted mo-
ments before the open. window listening to
the music and watching the merry dancers
He saw Everard Ponsonby whirl away with
Gyp. who danced as easily and naturally
as bird fits about on its wings. He stood
upon the terrace, where he had full view
of the guests, and was so much engaged
In watching the pleasure within that he
did not notice Cobb come to the open door
and stand watching him.
"W'ho can that be hanging around here"
murmured Cobb. None OF the servants,
for 1 know where they all are. Some Of
the neighborhood children. perhaps, who
have come to have sly peep at the young
folks fun. But 1 heard there were gypsies
about" And at that thought he returned
to the house, and after slipping a revolver
into his pocket, he made detour from the
Kitchen door and came up to Phil
Taken quite unawares, the boy started
violently when he felt hand laid on his
shoulder.
recognized him. II did not know but had
gypsy prisoner. How do you happen to
be here at this time; thought you lived a
mile awayr
IL" stammered Phil; he could not tell
on Gyp. but he went on lamely. Il was COM
ing down this way, and just stopped for a
few minutes to watch them dance''
We'll. you had better go home now, 1t is
6CttiiiS idle- lHeH SeelllS the WiSCIul look
on the boys face he invited him to the
kitchen door for ice cream and cake. Phil
refused the invitation, and, slowly turning
away, went up the hill toward the cabin.
He found Nose impatiently awaiting him,
crouching beside the blaze Of hickory logs
In the square fireplace.
II dun thought yo' never'd come back"
he said ENORMOUSLY. and SO unlike himself
must be i'll.
.'Td come back to you. Nose" he said
cheerfully, ARE you sick that you have a
fire on such warm night?'
yes; faint likely I'll live more'n
month. Can't git no help from nobody"
and he looked reproachfully at Phil
Now. his rheumatism was no worse than
it had been for months: indeed. as the days
grew warmer 1t was rather better. But the
fearful prophecy of DR.. Blackhart that he
would be dead in two months If he did not
succeed in getting possession of the Mont
joy ruby, and his inability to secure it, had
SO worried him that he was really Ill, and
for two days had been unable to go to the
fields. He sat in the house most of the day
beside a fire that he hoped Would help to
defer the day Of his death. Phil tried to
cheer the old man, but without success.
He then drew his chair up beside him and
began to talk.
Presently Nose asked, What 5ew'lry was
dat Miss Gyp tole about?" not daring to
mention the word ring or ruby, for the doc
tors warning still rang in his ears. Had
1t not been for this he would not have hest
tated boldly to inquire where the ring was
hidden.
oh! that was ring belonging to Miss
Antoinette's grandmother, and she let her
wear it this evening""
What is 1t like?'
"A great red stone. that CLOVIS like the
eyes that those Carolina girls tried to pick
out Of the ghost. You'd be afraid to touch
it," laughed Phil.
one mint honey. Whar de ole madame
keep It? In de house by her own self all de
timer
Phil made no answer to this question and
dame keep it?"
IT didn't say"
AN amt yo' goin' tor
How do l known he replied little net
"Nohow. O. course. Yo' wouldn't know
anything bout dem gran folks Jew'lry. I'm
pow'ful tired, wild runnin' after dem gyp-
sizes, an think I'll go to bed"
"All right" said Phil, not sorry to be dis
| missed, and moment afterward he was on
his way home.
As; As soon as he was out Of sight
and. whistling for his dog. set out I'M
the direction Of the lodge. Fits, ole
boy" he said. softly, 'yo' an I amt err
gwine to paint company yet. Use jes er
gwine to watch dat house ev'ry mint till
fin whar dat rings dun KEEP. Til fin whar
Miss Ant'nette sleeps, an when she's SCUM
asleep III steal inter her: room an pull 1t
of her f1ngah, so quiet she'll nevah know
nobody evan teched her--bless her! I'd not
hurt hath OBJ her head. but I mus hev
dat ring-it's ole Moses only chance. :"
where the wood terminated. he sat down
upon large rock. and Fits settled himself
for a nap beside his master. The lights
were still shining below him, but the music
had ceased, and he watched carriage after
carriage driven away with it's occupants.
The lights downstairs were extinguished
one by one until only that in the hall re-
manned. Then two lights from cigars APP
peared on the veranda.
CTo be continued.)