Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-08-30
THE LITTLE
RUBY RING
BY virginia Leila Wentz

[Copyright, 1907, by Homer Sprague.]
n was an inconsequent band with a
ruby setting, an odd little ring OF no
xreat worth, and Cynthia had often
xpeculated about its history. One
thing, though, she knew-Frances val
ued it above everything that she pos
sessed.
II say, Frances" she'd once remark
ed to her sister, who happened TO DE
polishing the stone, 'if that ruby had
a story that went witftSt, why tha'
would be a different thing. If, for ex-
ample, it had been given to Uncle John
when he was consul to Calcutta by the
rajah of Singhalee for service-hid-
ing him In the consulate during an IL
surrectioff or something. If in hand
ing it to uncle the rajah had said: 'Ex-
cellency, this ruby rolled from the
wounds that killed Nzuka, favorite
princess Of my ancestor, the king OF
Ahar &C one moonlight night as the
king strolled in the royal gardens,
barking to the nightingales"-
"What an unmitigated goose you are
Cynthiav Frances had interrupted,
smiling In spite of herself. Immediate
ly, however, her exquisite face had
grown grave. "Well never speak OF
this little ring again, dear. Do you un-
derStand"
And Cynthia-cleyer, 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 twen7
weight 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 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 for her
rare and wonderful personal charms.
Yet she was still unwed. Must be
waiting for title" gossip said, as 9th
er girls. far less charming, came out,
danced through season or two and
were married.
Rut-ab 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 Birney Gates for
Frances hand. He was man grow
Ing old, with thinning brown hair pa
thetically brushed, but with sun red
dened face and eyes sharpened to keen
ness. "a man for men-to plan, to di-
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 it 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 price she
might as we'll get the highest price.
Frances, my dear, 1 am bankrupt"
old Mr.. Logan had said to her one
evening as they were sitting around
the library fire. 81 can no longer keep
I'D even a pretense of show. What
are you going to do? Mr.. Gates stands
ready to put me on my feet again,
y but-ah, Frances His voice was al
most cry.
Frances looked quickly away. She
was toying nervously with her little
ruby ring. Cynthia bent her head
over q 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, ia
Their, / shall accept him." There was
a strange, sudden glitter in the girls
dark eyes as she bent over to stir the
smoldering logs. Cynthia involuntarily
turned toward the shapely hand that
held the fire tongs. The little ruby
ring was gone!
One morning 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.
Rubies were her favorite stones.
Some one else had promised her a
deluge of them when he should have
achieved fame and fortune.
''FraGces. haven't you anything to
say! They are superbr' reproved Gym
thia. But her sisters lips only parted
In a faint, inscrutable smile.
"Mr. Gates Is aware that in pic
turesQue sacrifice one always decks
the VICTIM" she said mockingly.
For q second Mr.. Birney Gates