Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-10
THEKING'SRUBIES


waiting short time to see II she recog-
nizes any family traits or likeness In the
young man. the best one
''Grandmamma has not noticed the ring
he wears. or she would have spoken OF it,
I'm sure
That is not to be wondered at, with her
II don't think the two rings are exactly
alike. papa. I was looking at Mr.. Dupre's
sharply as could today--as could get
a chance to. that Island don't think 1t Is
just like grandmamrna's Were they ex-
actly alike, mamma ??
so she has always maintained. But she
might have forgotten-it has been such
long time"
she would not forget that. Her menu
DRY might fail her tn everything else. but
not In any item connected with her idolized
son." said Mr.. Monthly
There was a knock at the door, and IN re-
Spouse to invitation Mr.. Glover entered.
Il fear L am intruding. thought you
were alone In the library, and so ventured
out. -.-'4
NO. no, Mark, stay with us. please. We
were just discussing the great topic OF In
terest in our family, young Dupre. Does 1t
not seem to you" continued Mr.. Mont5oy,
with fresh interest in having a new lis
tener, that it Is a most curious coinci-
dence, to say the least. that young man
bearing Madame Dupre's name and wear
ing such a ring as is supposed to have de-
seconded through the male line to her grand
son. should be disabled at our very door-a
curious coincidence, l say, If he is not her
grandson and my wifes cousin?
And If 1t is not coincidence?"
Then he must be the lost heir"
''Or an impostor." said Mark. But to be
charitable he may be neither an impostor
nor the heir that you are looking for.
Madames son may have sold his Jewel. or
1t may have been lost and come into this
young mans possession in numerous ways,
and yet not prove his heirshIp. This ring
may even be a third one Of the same kind"
1T is very old one. And we have never
seen another like 1t before. Sometimes 1
have fancied that the stone was not genu-
ine-but then, again, We are confronted
by his name"
Strange" murmured Mark, and then sat
thinking for long time. Suddenly he
asked: DO the children. Cover or Gyp.
know about their grandmamma's ring?
Certainly they do. But they are trust
worthy, and would not divulge so impor-
tant secret" said Mrs. Montjoy. with dig
nifty.
The tutor bowed. but said nothing. 1t was
well for Cover. however. that he was not
under the scrutiny of his keen eye at that
moment. But Mr.. Glover understood from
their mothers manner that she did not'wish
the children questioned. and he dismissed
any such intention that he might have had
from his mind.
Has madame seen Mr-ah-Mr. Dupre?'
he asked at length.
Il declare, Mark exclaimed Mr.. Mont
joy. throwing down the paper that he had
picked up, you almost try my patience
\ gu scarcely ADMIT 1nat lHe un1Orlun
young man UP stairs has right to the
name upon his card. Until we are prepared
to prove il false We have no right to ques-
ton it. She has seen him. but has neither
observed the ring nor noticed anything re-
markable about him. and for that reason
we will not try to determine the merits of
his case just at present.
And how long is this to go on?'
Until he is well enough to continue his
trip awheel. DR.. Blackhart tells me the in
Jury is not mending rapidly as 1t gave
promise of doing at first i presume he has
not been trying to use it?
Oh dear, no. papa Why. beautiful as
last evening was. he wouldn't sit out on the
terrace with us. fearing the dampness
might injure it. There's no telling but that
he may stay with us month"; said An
toinette.
Il shouldn't be surprised" said Mark.
dryly.
Come, come. my boy, I cannot see why
you don't like our guest Mr.. Montjoy said.
laughingly.
Nor 1, sir. l am not in a position to ex-
press either like or dislike for any guest Of
yours: and 1 believe 1 have not done SO
heretofore. 1 regret 1t If i have shown any
dislike
Never mind. never mind. We all have
our antipathies. IL, when DR.. Biackhart
pronounces him able to resume his journey
Madame Dupre has made no sign l shall
tell her what we think and endeavor to
learn his history. and. if that agrees with
ours, have the rings compared by jewelers..
Ii may require my making flying trip to
France. or sending you. How would you
enjoy that, Mark?'
Before he could answer there was great
noise at the door, Of something thrown
suddenly against it; the loud barking Of
Alexis added to the uproar. Mrs. Montjoy
started up. trembling violently. What can
be the trouble?" she cried. Her husband
carried her to the divan, while Mark sprang
to open the door. The dog bounded into the
room, barking triumphantly. as 1t seemed
TO Gyp, who lay on the threshold wiping
the blood from a cut on her temple.
oh Mr.. Gloveri Why did you do that?'
she cried. Now Alexis thinks he beat me.
Do turn him out and shut the door, that's
q good fellow: then III give you another
slab OF that peanut candy that you get
from me when you're good
The young man colored at the mention Of
the bride. Get up this moment, Gyp.
Don't you see that you've frightened your
mother so that she has almost fainted?'
That brought Gyp TO her feet instantly.
TO the sofa and would have smothered Mrs
Montjoy with caresses, regardless Of her
blood-stained face, had her father not
stopped her Take her out" he said to
Ant oinette. land see If she is much hurt
and have her face bathed. Then keep her
away from her mother the remainder OF the
evening".
oh. papa. papa" she exclaimed as her
sister was leading her away, The will
break my heart with his cruelty. He
doesn't love me. / tried 1t on my daisies
this very afternoon. and they all said:
lie loves me not and now
Sobs drowned the rest Of her sentence.
Antoinette could not hide a smile.
''Of course. papa loves you, Gyp, but you
should be more thoughtful about mamma,
and get over being such a harum-scarum.
Why don't you play with your dolls instead
of tearing over the house with such a mon
ster as Alexis or over the grounds with
any kind of a beast you can find?'
Il have no DOLL said Gyp mischievously.
mo dollsi Why, 1t was no longer ago
than day before yesterday that 1 saw at
least a dozen in your playhouse"
We'll. l had a shipwreck with them. and
all were lost at sea-that Is. in the milrace.
/ got tired of them. and Cover wanted
new skiff. so he bored hole in the bottom
Of his old one and put all my dolls In 1t,
and then we started 1t little way above
the dam. You should have seen 1t pitch
over the fall and then whirl round and
round and finally fill and sink; 1t was per-
fectly beautiful" said the child, all anima-
ton now" Cover stood on the shore wiring
ing his hands and pretending to be nearly
crazy. There go half million dollars he
cried. My boat and all its cargo lostv
The skif filled slowly and some Of the dolls
foated, and F'ido jumped in and rescued
them; but I forgot and left them on the
bank and the terriers shook them to
pieces"
We'll. don't think you'll get any
more!' said Antoinette Indignantly.
VERY well. sister. / didn't want any