The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-07-22

Sne was dressing LOT ulnner S0e Cdre-
lessly left a valuable ruby pin on tho
dressing table. After dinner the pin
was not there!
Such q hubbub as Cousin Gladys
created. She cried and cried and al
mest had Mysteries, for the pin was
her most cherished treasure. 1t hsd
been given her by her grandmother,
whose grandmother had in turn given
1t to her, so you see, 1t was very, very
old and valuable.
II was out OF the question to accuse
either Maria OF John of dishonesty.
for they were as honest as the day is
long Dake had been the soul of hon
or ever since he had been an inmate
of the household-and what would a
small fox terrier want Of large ruby
breastpin, any way? Topsy had de-
MED any knowledge of the affair; they
could not suspect her. She might
| have been guilty of stealing a piece
of fish-or a mouse-but what would
a cat want to steal rubies for?
The only possible solution was that
some one had entered the house while
the family was at dinner. stolen the
pin and gone off without being seen.
II there had only been footsteps in
the snow to trace the thief-but there
was no sign.
So the matter was dropped entirely,
except by the children, who had ere
ated wonderful tales about the loss Of
the ruby.
One beautiful May day Mabel and
Dot had bubble Dec" all by them
selves. Harod-disagreea boy
had gone off fishing and refused to
take any girls. He declared they were
always in the way"
I'd rather blow bubbles with my
new pipe, anyway" said Dot airily. as
Harold went down the walk There
was the suggestion of q sob In her
voice but she held her head high.
Mabel said net q word. One thing she
did love-and that was to fish. Duke
pushed his cold little nose comforting
ly in her hand. He liked to go fishing,
too. But blowing bubbles was very
fascinating. espec ally with the new
colored bubble SOAP. and it was not
long before tho two little girls were
happy again and Duke was wild with
delight. AS each bubble grew bigger
and bigger Duke barked louder and
louder, and begged that one should
be given him to play with. But for
little dogs bubbles are poor playthings
and last but q minute. II required
great attention on the part of both
blowers to prevent their work meeting
instant destruction.
Dot blew the best, there was no
question of that, but Mabs bubbles
seemed to last longer. And 1t was
one of Mab's that went bouncing along
on the breeze, with Duke in hot pur-
suit. Both girls were laughing merri-
ly at the queer antics of Duke and his
plaything, when the bubble descended
and Duke pounced upon his prize. OF
course it burst at once and the dog
jumped back with n sneeZe. Then
selzing something with his teeth, he
sprang back.
Poor old Dukey!" cried Dot. 'Ill
blow you one just as big. Just watch"
But Duke was not interested in bub-
bles; he had found another plaything.
"Oh, drop that old stick and come
along!" cried Mabel. "See, Duke! See
the nice big bubbles. Catch 1t, sir!
Catch it,"
But Duke would pay no attention.
81 believe he has something alive"
said Dot. perhaps it's poor. dear
little toad. Oh, Dukey, aren't you
ashamed of yourself?"
Duke wagged his tail-not a bit
ashamed--and deposited at Dots feet
queer and dirty object.
"It isn't a toad" said Dot. 'Tt's
only an old-why, Mabel Eloise
Fletcher, it's-it's-" and Dot gasped
in amazement at the object In her
hand.
ats Cousin Gladys lost ruby pin!'
shouted Mabel. where under the
sun did 1t come from?"
Pipes were dropped in q hurry and
the two little girls stood and gazed al
each other In silence. Duke was jump
ing impatiently for his plaything. Then
Mabel looked up at the house. The
windDw in the spare room where Gla'
dys had slept was open and the ruff
fed white curtains blew in toward the
table and out again, and on the edge
of the rufIle was scrap OF paper which
huttered slowly to the ground.
"Ah!" cried Dot softly. II see the
thief" and then they rushed indoor!
to tell the news.
Great good news It was, too. The
ruby pin had apparently boon caush
by the same curtain and gently depos
tied outside on the ground, as the
scrap of paper had been. and there 4
had lain hidden in the snow and nut
and new spring grass.
Cousin Gladys received a Telegram
.. that afternoon and in reply this let
tel came:
MY two dear little cousins, ant
Duke, too: am so happy to hear tina
my treasure has been found that
~. \ 3.