The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-26

That night In dressing gown an(
slippers she trailed into her sisters
room to have a few words with her
Frances was sitting In deep chair
somewhat in shadow, her long white
fngless hands lying very still in hel
lap. Her whole being was as motion
less as II it had lost all power of &C
ton.
Honey began Cynthia calmly after
making herself comfortable against the
rosewood bedpost, you can't abide
Mr.. Rirney Gates. Oh. don't bother
about protesting, dear. Let us at least
se truthful with each other. You can't
| abide him, and you loSe--the one who
gave you that little ruby ring"
Cynthia" calculated Frances sharp
Is.
Now, IL Mr.. Gates would only set
you free and take me in your stead"
weat on Cynthia evenly, pushing back
a wary lock of copper colored hair. sit
would keep the money in the family
| lust the same and give you your chance
for happiness. Yes, and me, too" she
added, with slight blush, for, Fran
ces, You may not believe it, / could
really learn to be fond of Birney
Gates. 1t wouldn't all be merely mer.
eenary ambition" 1884,.
The incinient smile about the corners
OF the elder girls delicate mouth gave
way to an expression difficult to faith
ON as her eyes rested critically upon
the slight figure in the pale gray dress
Ing gown. Then slowly she shook her
head. a
Mr.. Gates has loved me for three
years-not me, but my beauty. You
are not even pretty, dear. Forgive me
IL speak plainly. but you asked for
truth between u.s."
"uh-huh" acqulesced Cynthia, biting
her scarlet under lip and Juggling slight.
~ at the lace of her rolling collar.
You took all the beauty there was in
the family. Frances, but II you give me
permission to try maybe can take
him from you"
'.Try. by all means" granted Frances
tndulgently.
The next night at the opera Frances
made remark to her fiance that was
more than usually caustic. From their
box she had seen face in one of the
orchestra chairs-a vigorous. hand
some, youthful face-whlch had recall.
ed some one long absent. Just rs the
recollection was shooting through her
with exquisite pain Gates Glanced 10
lay his hand on her bare arm 10 call
her attention to a bit Of stage bust.
ness.
"Don't? she cried. shrinking. For
heavens sake. don't!'
"Oh. Frances, Frances." Cynthia's
low. rich voice shook with emotion.
Birney Gates turned his head In her
direction and met her eyes. Curious
gold green eyes they were, Swallowed
by long black lashes, langourous and
enticing. For one moment he gazed as
II Under a spell. Later the girl drop
ped her fan. and he stopped to pick IL
up for her. As be handed II back his
fingers touched her, and the contact
thrilled him strangely.
As Frances manner grew more and
more knocking. Cynthla's grew more
and more tender until Gates found
himself turning TO her for comfort
after every rebuff from his promised
bride.
"of course know she doesn't love
me-" Gates explained to Cynthia one
day. How could she? I am growing
old. am homeIy. But am rich. and
l want the best for my money. and 70
| want her-and I'm going to have
her"
CynthIa's little hand on his arm
quieted him.
"And is beauty the bestT' she ques-
toned softly.
lie looked al the delicate face. aIIght |
with childish eagerness. The mutin0us
red mouth vas quiverIng, the mysterI. |
Gus eyes were ablaze.
'shtAtaF lAbA YOU Ue cflel. MS l
heart leapIng. Then he opened his |
arms to her. Sweetheart. you little |
witch, / don't know how II has come |
about. but II Is you who are filing my |
days and nlgllts-not Frances. Come"
"Oh. no." she warned. gliding away
from him: mot until Frances has writ. |
ten giving you your freedom. But TIL
tell her tonight, and then you can
come openly to father and claim my
hand"
On the day Of cynthIa's wedding the
guests, seeing the alteration In the
eyes Of Mr. BIrney Gates, could not
doubt the verify Of her conquest. and
she beamed with a pretty Importance.
Frances, robed in soft, sblmmerlng
white. was radiant. Her dark eyes
we're suffused with a mysterious soft.
hess. as Of Joy new heralded.
And on her left hand once more she
wore her little ruby ring.
Language Of Bells.
Volume of sound is, indeed, the
boast Of most old bells. although
my waste is small" says a Somer.
set bell in its motto, 81 will be
LoaNd ayafput y,nt, eli C..... -. -