Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-27
THE LITTLE
RUBY RING
By Virginia Leila Wentz

copyright, 1907, by Homer Sprague.l
1t was an inconSeQuent band with q
ruby setting, an odd little ring of no
great worth, and Cynthia had often
specialized about its history. One
thing, though, she knew-Frances val
ued it above everything that she pos
sesspd.
Il say. Frances" she'd once remark
ed TO her sister, who happened to be
polishing the stone, IF that ruby had
Il story that went with it, why that
would be 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 In
surrection or something. If III hand
ing it to uncle the rajah had said: 'EX-
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 unmitigated goose you are,
CYNTHIA 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 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."
\ 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 n 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. \ 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 III 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 FOL
| Frances hand. He was man grow
4 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 Iii
rect The air of the broad. energetic
west in every movement" Cynthi;
had once defined him. Presently Fran
ces grew weary of the struggle ant
gave in. From the beginning it la,
been an unequal contest, for all alon!
she knew that she must requite he
family for their devotion. AS she wa
going to sell herself for a price sh
might as well get the highest price.
Frances. my dear, | am bankrupt.
! old Mr. Logan had said to her on
evening as they We're sitting arOun
, the library fire. Il can no longer kee
up even a pretense of show. VIVA
are you going to do? Mr.. Gates stand
I ready to put me on my feet AGAR
; but-ah. Francesr' His voice was a
( most a cry.
Frances looked quickly away. Sh
was toying nervously with her it'll
) ruby ring. Cynthia bent her hea
Z over q magazine that she had pickle
: up, and there was a constrained S
( lence.
5 Frances, dear, don't YOU think 20
( could accept him.
\ IF Mr.. Gates calls tomorrow, f;
( Their, l shall accept him." There wa
! a strange. sudden glitter in the girl
( dark eyes as she bent over to stir til