Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-01
? 2 = ? 2 2 ? Z 4 : 4 Il =
The LITTLE
RUBY RING
By Virginia Leila Went.

I
great worth, and Cynthia had often
speculated about its history. One
thing, though, she knew-Frances val
ued It above everything that she pos
sessed.
Il say, Frances" she'd once remark
cd TO her sister. who happened to be
| polishing the stone, IF that ruby had
n story that went with II, why that
would be a different thing. II. for ex-
ample, It had been given to Uncle John
when he was consul 20 Calcutta by the
rajah Of Singhalee for a service-hid-
ing him in the consulate during an In
surrection or something IL In hand
Ing II 20 uncle the rajah had said: Eek
cellency, this ruby rolled from the
wounds that killed Ezuka, favorite
princess Of my ancestor, the king Of
Ahar -one moonlight night as the
king strolled in the royal gardens.
barking TO the nightingales"--
"What an unmitlgated goose you arc,
Cynthia-' Frances had interrupted,
smiling I'm spite OF herself Immediate
| ly. however, her exquisite face had
grown grave. "Wen never speak OF
this little ring again, dear, DO you I'M
| derstandE"
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 lnscrutahle reserve.
"But I'm sure Of one thing" Cynthia
summed UP 20 herself Here az TWEEN
ty-eight Frances Is still unmarried. and
It's that litue ruby ring that keeps
her an old maid In spite OF her beau
~"
A beauty? That Is what Frances
Logan mqucsuonably was. She bad
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 for her
rare and wonderful personal charms.
Yet she was still unwcd "Must be
waiting FOR a title" gossip said, rs 9TH
cr 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 home
stead Included. gave hint OF departed
glory. A wealthy marriage had been
pointed out 20 Frances as her duty In
life. No sacrifice had been considered
too great 10 give her the proper setting
20 this end. and her father and Gym.
: thia. the second daughter, and the two
4 little motherless boys had uncomplain
1 ingly submitted TO remain In the back
ground that Frances might shine
J abroad.
More and more plainly stood out the
l Ichabod. More and more ardently
}. pressed the suit OF Birney Gates FOL
, Frances hand. He was a man grow
;. ing old, with thinning brown hair pa
? thetically brushed, but with sun red
5 dened face and eyes sharpened to keen
3 ness. a man for men-to plan, TO III
< rect. The air OF the broad. energeti,
( west in every movement" Cynthia
Y had once defined him. Presently Fran
T ces grew weary or the struggle ant
o gave in. From the beginning IL ha,
been an unequal contest, for all alon.
e she knew that she must reQuite he
: family for their devotion. As she wa
4 going TO sell herself for a price sh
I might as well get the highest price.
5 Frances. my dear, am bankrupt,
e old Mr.. Logan had said to her on
/ evening as they were sitting aroun'
d the library FIRE. II can no longer keel
T up even a pretense OF show. Wha
e are you going TO do? Mr.. Gates stand
Y ready to put me on nay feet again
G but-ah. Francesr His voice was a.
+ most a cry.
3! Frances looked quickly away. Sh
e was toying nervonsIy with her littl
o ruby ring Cynthia bent her hea
n over a magazine that she had pickle
V up, and there was constrained 81
a 4 lence.
I'll Frances. dear. don't you think 20
n could accept himy
IF Mr.. Gates calls tomorrow. IA
q Their, shall accept him." There wa
strange. sudden glitter In the girl
" dark eyes as she bent over to stir tn
: smolderiEg logs. Cynthia involuntaril
turned toward the shapely hand tha
: held the fire tongs. The little rub
!, ! ring was gone!
One morning few weeks later NJ
= Gates called and presented France
with jewel case In the early ligt
= he looked older and redder than eve
:. She shrank from the touch OF his lip
= on her hand. AS she opened the cas-
listlessly necklace or diamonds an
," rubies sprang to view.
Rabies were her favorite stones
~ Some one else had promised her
&c deluge OF them when he should hay
81 achieved fame and fortune.
Frances. haven't you anything 1
say7 They are superbr' reproved Cyl
thia. But her sisters lips only parte