Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-07-03
THE LITTLE
RUBY RING
By virginia Leila wsni1

IL WIS al iANONNfiih'Nt Ndht WIN "
ruby setting. an odd Hide ring o.; no
great worth and Cynthia bad often
speculated about It's history. one
thing. though. She knew Frances val
ued Il above everything that size pos
sessed.
Il say, Frances" she'd once remark
cd to her sister. who happened to he
polishing the stone. III that ruby had
a story that went with IL, why that
would be a different thing IT. for ex-
ample. 1t had been given 10 Uncle John
when he was consul 10 Calcutta by the
rajah of Snghalee for service hid
ing him Ia the consulate during an In
surrectlon or something. II IN hand
Ing ii 10 uncle the rajah lad said 'Ex-
celleucy this ruby rolled from the
wounds that killed Ezuka, fayoritc
princess of my ancestor. the King OF
Ahar one moonlight night as the
King strolled in the royal gardens.
barking to the nightngales'-
what an unmitigated goose you are.
Cynthlaw Frances had Interrupted,
smiling IN spite Of herself Immediate
". however. her exquisite face had
grown grave. oven never speak of
this little ring again. dear. DO you I'M
derstand?"
And Cynthia-clever. wise cynthia
understood. She understood that her
sisters nature did not crave sympa-
thy. the sort that thrives upon mutual
confession and confidence. She under
stood that serene and resolute Frances
met the critical situations in life with
an inscrutable reserve.
But I'm sure of one thing" Cynthia
summed up to herself Here at TWEEN
ty-eight Frances is still unmarried, and
It's that little ruby ring that keeps
her an old maid in spite Of her beau
ty."
A beauty? That is what Frances
Logan unquestlonably was. She had
been photographed in every variety or
pose that modern society approves.
She had been painted by several OF the
most celebrated artists In fact she
was famous on two continents for her
rare and wonderful personal charms.
Yet she was still unwed Must be
waiting for a title" gossip said, as 9th
err girls, far less charming, came out
danced through a season or two and
were married.
But above the doorway Of the house
of Logan was written Ichabod-every-
thing belonging to them. the old home
stead included. gave hint of departed
glory. A wealthy marriage had been
pointed out to Frances as her duty In
life. No sacrifice had been considered
too great to give her the proper setting
to this end. and her father and Gym
thia, the second daughter. and the two
little motherless boys had uncomplain-
ingly submitted to remain In the back
ground that Frances might shine
abroad
More and more plainly stood out the
Ichabod More and more ardently
pressed the suit of Brney Gates for
Frances hand He was a man grow
Ing old. with thinning brown hair pa
thetlcally brushed. but with sun red
ness "a man for men-to plan. to dl-
rect. The air OF the broad. energetic
west In every movement" Cynthia
had once defined him. Presently Fran
ces grew weary of the struggle and
gave in. From the beginning il had
been an unequal contest. for all along
she knew that she must requite her
family for their devotion. AS she was
going TO sell herself for a price she
might as well get the highest price.
Frances, my dear, | am bankrupt.
old Mr.. Logan had said TO her one
evening as they were sitting around
the library fire. Il can no longer keep
up even a pretense OF show. What
are you going to do? Mr.. Gates stands
ready to put me on my feet again
but-ah. Frances His voice was al
most a cry.
Frances looked quickly away. She
was toying nervously with her little
ruby ring Cynthia bent her head
over a magazine that she had picked
lence.
Frances, dear, don't you think you
could accept himT
IF Mr. Gates calls tomorrow. IA
Their, l shall accept him" There was
strange. sudden glitter In the girls
dark eyes as she bent over TO stir the
smoldering logs. Cynthia Involuntary
turned toward the shapely hand tha
held the fire tongs. The little ruby
ring was gonel
One morning a few weeks later Mr.
Gates called and presented Frances
with a jewel case. In the early ligh
he looked older and redder than ever
She shrank from the touch OF his lip.
on her hand. As she opened the case
listlessly a necklace OF diamonds anC
rubies sprang to view.
Rubies were her favorite stones
Some one else had promised her I
deluge Of them when he should have
achieved fame and fortune.
Frances. haven't you anything t
ray? They are superb reproved Gym
thla But her sisters lips only parte'
i'm a faint, inscrutabe smile.
"Mr Gates is aware that in a pic
turesque sacrifice one always deck
the victim" she said mockingly.
For second Mr.. Birney Gates
keen eyes looked narrowlngly at thi
cold. insulting woman. so speedily (
become his wife He almost conten
plated giving her back her liberty
Then he smothered his better impuls,
being led afeld by her beauty. and
look of mastery frightened his thin lips
From under her heavy liddcd eye