Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-27

| held the fire tongs. The little ruby |
| ring was gone.
One morning q few weeks later Mr.. |
| Gates called and presented Frances |
| with a jewel case. In the early light |
| he looked older and redder than ever
| She shrank from the touch of his lips |
on her hand. AS she opened the case
| listlessly necklace of diamonds and |
rubies sprang to view.
| Rubes We're her favorite stones |
Some one else had promised her a
deluge of them when he should have
achieved fame and fortune.
| Frances. haven't you anything to
say? They are superb reproved Gym
thia. But her sisters lips only parted
in a faint. inscrutable smile.
'Nlr. Gates is aware that in a pic
turesque sacrifice one always decks
the victim" she said mOckingly.
| For q second Mr.. Birney Gates
keen eyes looked narrOwingly at this
cold, insulting woman, so speedily to
become his wife. He almost cantem-
plated giving her back her liberty.
Then he smothered his better impulse.
being led afield by her beauty. and a
look of mastery frightened his thin lips.
From under her heavy lidded eyes
Cynthia watched him. He will tame
Frances spirit horribly" she thought
to herself. But | could tame his
beautifully. If | might only try! Sup
pose
That night in dressing gown and
slippers she trailed into her sisters
room to have 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 if it had lost all power of ac-
ton.
Honey" began Cynthia calmly after
making herself comfortable against the
rosewood bedpost, you can't abide
Mr.. Birney Gates. oh. don't bother
about protesting. dear. Let us ut least
be truthful with each other. You can't
abide him. and you love-the one who
gave you that little ruby ring"
"Cynthia" calculated Frances sharp
ly.
Now, if Mr.. Gates would only set
you free and take me in your stead"
went on Cynthia evenly. pushing back
q wavy lock of copper colored hair. lit
would keep the money in the family
just the same and give you your chance
for happiness. Yes. and me. too" she
added. with Il 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-
, cenary ambition"
The incipient 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.
;, 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.
"Ch-huh." acQueSced 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
o more than usually caustic. From their
= box she had seen Il face in one of the
orchestra chairs-a vigorous, hand
-, some, youthful face-which had recall
= ed some one long absent. Just as the
., recollection was shooting through hel
- with exquisite pain Gates Glanced tC
:, lay his hand on her bare arm to cal
-, her attention to a bit of stage bust
ness
;, DON'T she cried shrinking. "Fol
70 heavens sake, don't
n "Oh. Frances, Frances" Cynthia!
M low. rich voice shook with emotion
~ Birney Gates turned his head in he
10 direction and met her eyes. Curious
n gold green eyes they were, shadowet
H. by long black lasheS, langourOus an,
enticing. For one moment he gazed a
1e If under spell Later the girl drop
10 ped her fan, and he stopped to pick
ID up for her. AS he handed it back hi
ed fingers touched her, and the contac
81 thrilled him strangely.
AS Frances manner grew more ant
Du more hooking. Cynthia's grew NOR
and more tender until Gates foun
a himself turning to her for comfor
as after every rebuff from his PROMISE
Is bride.
he "Of course l know she doesn't Low
. me-" Gates explained to Cynthia on
day. "How could she? l am CROWN
@ old. l am homely But am rich. an
y / want the best for my money, and S
I l want her-and I'm going to hav
ls her."