The Washington herald., 1907-01-07

It VIZ an inconseQuent band with
ruby setting, an odd little ring Of no great
worth. and Cynthia had often speculated
about its history. One thing, though. she
knew: Frances valued it above every
thing that she possessed.
Il say, Frances" she'd once remarked
10 her sister, who happened to be polish
ing the stone, IF that ruby had "a story
that went with 1t, why that would be a
different thing! If, for example, IL had
been given to Uncle John, when he was
consul 90 Calcutta, by the Rajah Of Sing
haIee i0r a service-hiding him in the con-
sulate during an insurrection, or some
thing. IT, in handing IL to uncle, the
Rajah had said: 'Excellency, this ruby
rolled from the wounds that killed Ezuka.
favorite princess Of my ancestor, the
King OF Aharr, one moonlight night as the
King stolIed in the royal gardens, hark-
ing TO the nightingale
What an unmitigated goose you are,
Cynthiar" Frances had interrupted, sTnii-
ing in spite OF herself. Immediately, how
ever, her exquisite face had grown grave
Wen never speak Of this little ring
again. dear-do you understand
and Cynthia, clever, wise Cynthia, un-
derstood. She understood that her sis
ters nature did not crave sympathy-the
sort that thrives upon mutual confession
and confidence. She understood that
serene and resolute Frances met the erlti-
cal situations III life with an inscrutable
reserve.
But I'm sure OF one thing" Cynthia
summed un to herself Here at twenty
eight Frances is still unmarried-and it's
that little ruby ring that keeps her an
old maid IN spite OF her beauty
A beauty! That is what Frances Logan
uuquestionably was. She had been photo
graphed 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 un-
wed Must be waiting for title, gos-
f sip said, as other 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-eveTything
beloneing 10 them, the old homestead in
cluded. gave hint of departed glory. a
wealthy marriage had been pointed out
/ TO Frances as her duty in life No sacri-
fce had been considered too great to 6ive
her the proper setting TO this end; and
her father and Cynthia. the second
daughter. and the two little mOtherless
.bovs had uncomplainingly submitted to
remain in the background that Frances
might shine abroad.
More and more plainly stood out the
Ichabod. More aad more ardently pressed
the suit of Mr. Birney Gates for Frances
hand. He was a man growing old, with
thinning brown hair pathetcaliy brushed,
but with sun-reddencd face and eyes
! sharpened TO keenness. "A man for men
too plain. too direct! The air Of the
/ broad. energetic West in every move
ment." Cynthia had once defined him.
/ Presently Frances. grew weary of the
/ struggle and gave in. From the begin
ming 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 we'll get the highest
price,
/ Frances. my dear, I am bankrupt, -
old Mr.. Logan had said 20 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
pat me on my feet again; but-ah,
/ Franeesr His voice was almost 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 silence.
! Frances, dear, don't you think you
/ could accept him?"
If MIR. Gates calls tomorrow, father,
I strange, sudden glitter In the girls dark
! eyes as she bent over to stir the smolder-
7 ing logs. Cynthia involuntaTily turned
I toward the shapely hand that held the
/ fire tongs. The little ruby ring was gone.
! 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 neck
4 lace Of diamonds and rubies sprang to
view.
/ Rubies were her favorite stones. Some
one else had promised her deluge of
them when he should have achieved
fame and fortune
Frances, haven't you anything 10 say?
/ They are superb reprOved Cynthia.
But her sisters lips only parted in a
/ faint, inscrutable smile
] Mr.. Gates is aware that in a pictures