The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-07
THE EVENING STORY
The Little Ruby Ring.

| a ruby setting, an odd little ring or
no great worth. and Cynthia had often
thing, though, she knew: Frances
valued it above everything that she
possessed.
81 say. Frances" she'd once re-
marked to her sister, who happened
to be polishing the stone. "if that ruby
had a story that went with it, why
that would be different thing! If. for
| example, it had been given to Uncle
John when he was consul to Calcutta
| by the Rajah of Cinghalee for ser
vice-hiding him in the consulate
| during an insurrection or something
| If, in handing it to uncle. the rajah
had said, 'Excellency, this ruby rolled
| from the wounds that killed Ezuka,
King of Ahar. One moonlight night
as the king strolled in the royal gar
dens, barking to the nightingales-
What an unmitigated goose you
are, Cynthia!" Frances had interrupt
ed, smiling in spite of herself. Imme-
diately, however, her exquisite face
had grown grave. ''We1l never speak
of this little ring again, dear-do you
understand"
And cynthia, clever, wise Cynthia,
understood She understood that her
sisters nature did not crave sympa-
| thy-the sort that thrives upon mu-
tual confession and confidence. She
understood that serene and resolute
life with an inscrutable reserve.
but I'm sure of one thing" Gym
thia summed up to herself. Here at
twenty eight Frances is still unmdr-
ireland it's that little ruby ring that
keeps her an old maid in spite of her
beauty"
A beauty? That is what Frances
Logan unquestionably was. She had
been photographed in every variety OF
pose that modern society approves.
She had been painted by several of
the most celebrated artists. In fact,
she was famous on two continents Tor
her rare and wonderful personal
charms. Yet she was still unwed.
Must be waiting for a title" gossip
said, as other girls, far less charming,
came out danced through 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
homestead included, gave hint of de-
parted glory. A wealthy marriage had
been pointed out to Frances as her
considered too great to give her the
proper setting to this end; and her
father and Cynthia. the second daugh-
ter, and the two little motherless boys
main in the background that Frances
might shine abroad.
More and more plainly stood out
the Ichabod. More and more ardent1y
pressed the suit of Mr.. Birney Gates
for Frances hand. He was man
growing old, with thinning brown
hair pathetically brushed, but with
sun-reddened face and eyes sharpened
to keenness. "a man for men-to
plan to direct The air of the broad,
energetic west in every movement"
Cynthia had once defined him. Pres
emily Frances grew weary Of the strug-
gle and gave in. From the beginning
IL had been an unequal contest Tor all
-11a TCt re-
her family for their devotion. AS she
was going to sell herself for price.
she might as well get the highest
pricei .tsita.J
s'Frances, my dear, / am bankrupt"
old Mr.. Logan had said to her one
evening as they were sitting around
the library fire. 81 can no longer keep
up even a pretense of show. What
are you going to do? MI Gates stands
ready to put me on my feet again;
but-ah Francesi" 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
up. and there was a constrained 81
lence.
'.Frances, dear, don't you think you
could accept him ?"
IF Mr.. Gates calls tomorrow,
father, I shall accept him." There
was a strange, sudden glitter in the
girls dark eyes as she bent over to
stir the smoldering logs Cynthia in
voluntarily turned toward the shapely
hand that held the fire tongs. The
little ruby ring was gonei
One morning a 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 a necklace of diamonds and
rubies sprang to view.
Rubies we're her favorite stonesl
Some one else had promised her
deluge IF them when he should have
achieved fame and fortune.
say? They are superb" reproved
Cynthia. But her sisters lips only |
parted in faint. inscrutable smile.
Mr.. Gates is aware that in a pictur- |
esque sacrifice, one always decks the |
she said, mockingly.
. For a second Mr.. Birney Gates |
keen eyes looked narrowingly at this |
bold, insulting woman. so speedily to |
become his wife. He almost contem- |
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.
Frances spirit horribly she thought |
to herself. But I could tame his
beautifully. If 1 might only try!
Suppose
That night in dressing-gown and |
slippers she trailed into her sisters
room to have a few words with her.
Frances was sitting in a deep chair,
in shadow. her long, white,
ringless hands lying very still in her
lap. Her whole being was as motion
less as If 1t had lost all power of ac-
ton.
Honey" began Cynthia calmly, af-
ter making herself comfortable against |
the rosewood bedpost, you can't abide
Mr.. Birney 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