Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-08-30
gave you that little ruby ring"
"Cynthiaw calculated Frances shar


ly.
"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, ut
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 Birney
Gates. 1t 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
&n as her eyes rested critically upon
the. slight figure in the pale gray dress
ing gown. Then slowly she shook her
head.
''Mr. Gates has loved me for three
years-not me, but my beauty. You
are not even pretty, dear. Forgive me
if l speak plainly, but you asked for
truth between u.s."
"Uh-huh" acquiesced Cynthia, biting
her scarlet under lip and Juggling slight
ly at the lace of her rolling collar.
"You took all the beauty there was In
the family, Frances, but if you give me
permission to try maybe / can take
him from you"
"Try, by all MEANS" granted Frances
indulgently.
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 ehairs-a vigorous, hand
some, youthful face-which had recall
ed some one long absent. Just as the
recollection was shooting through her
with exquisite pain Gates CHANGED to
lay his hand on her bare arm to call
her attention to bit Of stage bust
ness.
"Don'tw she cried, shrinking, "For
heavens sake, don'tv
"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
if under spell. Later the girl drop
ped her fan, and he stopped to pick II
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 rebuff from his promised
bride.
"Of course / know she doesn't love
me-" Gates explained to Cynthia one
day. "How could she? l am growing
old. am homely. But 1 am rich, and
I want the best for my money, and so
I want her-and I'm going to have
her."
Cynthia's little hand on his arm
Quieted him.
"And is beauty the best?" she ques-
toned softly.
He looked at the delicate face, alight
with childish eagerness. The mutinous
red mouth was quivering, the mysteri-
Gus eyes were ablaze.
~~~"Cynthia, not you" he cried, his
heart -leaping. Then he opened his
arms to her. Sweetheart, you little
witch, 1 don't know how it has come
about, but it is you who are filling my
days and nights-not Frances Come"
ooh, no." she warned, gliding away
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 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 pretty Importance.
Frances, ROBBED in soft, shimmering
white, was radiant. Her dark eyes
were suffused with a mysterious soft
ness as of joy new heralded. y,
| And on her left hand once more she
wore her little ruby ring.