Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-07-03

That night In dressing gown and
slippers she tralled into her sisters
room TO have few words with her
Frances was sitting In deep chair
somewhat IN shadow. her long while
rlngless hands lying very still In her
lap. Her whole being was as motion
less as If IL had lost an power OF ac-
ton.
Honey" began Cynthia calmly after
making herself comfortable against the
rosewood bedposi. "you can't abide
Mr. Biney 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"
"Cynthlaw calculated Frances sharp
ly.
"Now. IL Mr. Gates would only set
you free ANA take me IN your stead"
went on Cynthia evenly, pushing back
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 a slight blush. "for. Fran
ces. You. may not believe ii. | could
really learn 10 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 | speak plainly. but you asked for
truth between us"
"Uh-huh"' acquiesced 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 If you give me
permission TO try maybe / can take
him from you"
Try. by all means" granted Frances
mdulgently.
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 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 n bit of stage bust
ness.
"Don'tr 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
IL under a spell. Later the girl drop
ped her fan and he stopped TO pick 1t
up for ner. AS be handed ii back his
fingers touched her, and the contact
thrilled him strangely.
As Frances manner grew more and
more hooking. Cyntha'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? | am growing
old. am homely. But | 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.
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 your he cried, his
heart leaping. Then he opened his
arms TO her. Sweetheart you little
witch. | don't know how il has come
about. but il IS you who are filling my
days and nlghts-not Frances. Come. y
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 IA pretty importance
! Frances. robed in soft, shlmnerine
white, was radiant. Her dark eyes
were suffused with a mysterious soft
ness, as Of JOY new heralded.
And on her left hand once more sh,
wore her little ruby ring.