The Washington herald., 1907-01-07

que sacrifice one always decks the vic
tim" she said, mockingly.
/ For a second Mr. BirRey Gates keen
/ eyes looked narrowingly at this bold.
insulting woman, so speedily 10 become
/ his wife. He almost contemplated giving
I her back her liberty. Then he smothered
his better impulse being led aield by
her beauty, and look Of mastery tight
ened his thin lips.
/ From under her heavy Ndded eyes
I Cynthia watched him. He will tame
/ Frances spirit horribly she thought 10
/ herself But I could tame his beauti-
/ fully, il I might only try! Suppose
That night IN dressing-gown and slippers
she trailed into her sisters room 70 have
a few words with her. Frances was sit
ting in a deep chair, somewhat in shadow.
her long, white. ringless hands lying very
still in her lap. Her whole being was
/ as motonless as il it had lost ali power
Of action.
Honey began Cynthia, calmly, after
( making herself comfortable against the
| rosewood bedpost, you can't abide AIr-
/ Eirney Gates-oh, don't bother about pro-
testing, dear. Let Us at least be truthful
with each 0ther-yOu can't abide him, and
/ you lOve-the one who gave you that lit
/ tie ruby ring"
/ Cynthia calculated Frances. sharply.
/ NOW, il Mr. Gates would only set you
I free and take me Ia your stead" went
on Cynthia evenly. pushing back a wavy
/ lock Of copper-cOlored hair, Ill would
/ keep the money in the family just the
I same-and give you your chance for hap
/ piness. Yes, and me, too, she added
with a slight blush. for. Frances, you
may not believe it, I could really learn
\ 10 be fond OF Birney Gates. 1t wouldn't
/ all be merely meTCeuary ambition"
The iuCipient smile about the corners
/ Of the elder girls delicate mouth gave
way to an expression difficult 70 fathom,
as her eyes rested critically upon the
! slight figure in the pale gray dressing
gown. Then slowly she shook her head.
Mr.. Gates has loved me for three years
not me. but my beauty. You are not
1 even pretty dear. Forgive me If 1 speak
+ plainly. but you asked for truth between
US"
''Uh-huh," acquiesced Cynthia, biting
/ her scarlet under lip and tugging slightly
at the lace Of her rolling collar; you took
all the beauty there was in the family,
! Frances. Buff you give me permission
10 try. maybe / can take him from you"
TRY. by all means" granted Frances
/ induigently.
The next night at the opera Frances
made a remark to her fiance that was
more than usually eaustic. From their
box she had seen a face in one Of the
orchestra chairs-a vigorous. handsome,
youthful face-which had recalled some
one long absent. Just as the recollection
was shooting through her with exquisite
pain, Gates CHANGED to lay his hand oD
/ her bare arm TO call her attention to a
/ bit OF stage business.
.Don'tr' she cried. shrinking. For
/ heavens sake, dOn'tr'
/ ooh. Frances. FTancegr' Cynthia'g low
rich voice shook with emotion Birney
/ Gates turned his head in her direction,
and met her eyes. Curious gold-green
/ eyes they We're shadOwed by long, black
| lashes-languorous and enticing. For one
moment he gazed as IL under a sudden
/ spell Later the girl dropped her fan,
and he 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 mocking. 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, I know she doesn't love
me-" Gates explained to Cynthia one day
| How could she? ] am growing old !
am hOmely. But I 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 mysterious
| eyes were ablaze.
Cynthia, not you!" he cried; his heart
leaping. Then he opened his arms 70
her Sweetheart, you little witch, don t
know how it has come about; but it is
you who are filing my days and nights
/ not Frances. Come"
! ooh, no." she warned, gliding away
+ from him, not 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, guests
seeing the alteration in the eyes of Mr..
| Blruey Gates, could not doubt the verify
/ of her conquest. and she beamed with n
pretty importance. Frances, robed in soft.
/ shimmering white, was radiant Her dark
/ eyes were suffused with mysterious
| softness, as OF a JOY new-heralded.
And on her left hand once more she
wore her little ruby ring.