Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-01

cold, insulting woman, so speedily to
become his wife. He almost contem-
| plated giving her back her liberty.
] Then he smothered his better impulse.
being led afield by her beauty. and
look OF mastery frightened his thin lips.
From under her heavy lidded eyes
| Cynthia watched him. HE Will tame
! Frances spirit horribly" she thought
| 10 herself But I could tame his
beautifully. II 1 might only tryi Sup
pose
That night in dressing gown and
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.
ringless hands lying very still In her
/ lap. Her whole being was as motion
less as il IL had lost all power OF &C
hon.
"Honey," began Cynthia calmly after
making herself comfortable against tho
rosewood bedpost, you can't abide
/ Mr.. Birncy Gates. Oh. don't bother
about protesting, dear. Let us at least
be truthful with each other. You can't
abide him, and you love-the one who
gave you that little ruby ring"
"Cynthiav' calculated Frances sharp
| ".
''Now. IL Mr. Gates would only set
you free and take me In your stead"
went on Cynthia evenly. pushing back
a wavy lock OF copper colored hair. cit
would keep the money In the family
just the same and give you your chance
for happiness. Yes, and me. too" she
added. with a slight blush. "for. Fran
ces, you may not believe It. 1 could
really learn to be fond OF Blrney
Gates. II wouldn't all be merely mer-
cenary ambition"
The incipient smile about the corners
OF the elder girls delicate mouth gave
way to an expression difficult TO faith
om az her eyes rested critically upon
the slight figure In the pale gray dress
Ing gown. Then slowly she shook her
head.
"Afr. Gates has loved me for three
years-not me. but my beauty. You
are not even pretty, dear. Forgive me
II I speak plainly. but you asked for
truth between us"
| "Uh-huhr' acQulesced Cynthia. bitinc,
her scarlet under Zip 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 20 try maybe 1 can take
him from you"
''Try, by all MEANS" granted Frances
lndulgently.
The next night at the opera Frances
made remark 10 her fance that was
more than usually caustlc From their
| e1aa Ntu
orchestra chairs-a vigorous. hand
some, youthful face-which ad recall
ed some one long absent. Just as the
recollection was shooting through her
with exquisite pain Gates Glanced to
lay his hand on her bare arm to call
her attention TO a bit of stage bust
mess.
"Don'tT she cried. shrinking. "For
!heaven's sake, don'tf"
"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, Iangourous and
enticing. For one moment he gazed as
under spell. Later the girl drop
ped her fan. aud be stopped TO pick it
up for her AS he handed it back his
, fingers touched her. and the contact
, thrilled him strangely.
As Frances manner grew more and
more hooking. Cynthia's grew more
and more tender until Gates found
himself turning to her for comfort
after every rebufr from his promised
bride.
"Of course I know she doesn't love
me-" Gates explained to Cynthia one
day. "How could she7 I am growing
old 1 am homely. But I am rich, and
want the best for my money, and so
want her-and I'm going to have
: her"
Cynthia's little hand on his arm
Quieted him.
! rAnd is beauty the best7" she ques-
toned softly.
with childish eagerness. The mutinous
red mouth was qulvering, the mysteri-
/, Gus eyes were ablaze.
Cynthia, not your he cried, his
heart Ieaping. Then he opened his
. arms to her. Sweetheart, you little
witch, don't know how IL has come
Q about, but II is you who are filling my
' days aud nights-not Frances. Come"
( "Oh, no." she warned, gliding away
y from him; mot until Frances has writ
ten giving you your freedom. But I'll
!. tell her tonight, and then you can
$ come openly to father and claim nv
{ hand"
8 On the day of cynthia's wedding the
e guests, seeing the alteration In the
eyes Of Mr.. Birney Gates, could not
doubt the verify Of her conquest, and
!. she beamed with q pretty Importance.
Frances, robed in soft, shimmering
white. was radiant. Her dark eyes
were sufrused with n mysterious soft
: ness, as OF Joy new heralded.
- And on her left hand once more shs
= wore her little ruby ring.