West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-06-20

It was an inconsequent band with
ruby setting an odd little ring OF no
great worth. ana Cynthia had often
speculated about It's history. one
thing, though she knew Frances val
ued II above everything that she pos
scsspd
81 say, Frances" she'd once remark
ell T. her sister. who happened 20 be
polishing the stone. III that ruby had
Il story that went with H. why Tat
would be- different thing. IT. e., ex-
ample. II had been given To Uncle John
when he was consul to Cnlcuttl ly the
rajah of Slnghalec FOR service hid
ing him In the consulate during an in
surrecton or something II la hand.
Ing IL to uncle tie rajah had said: Tx
cellency, this ruby rolled from the
wounds that killed Ezuka. favorlte
princess Of my ancestor, the King of
Ahar' - one moonlight night a. the
king strolled in the royal gardens.
barking to the nightlngales"
what an unmitigatcd goose you are,
Cynthia" Frances had interrupted,
smiling I'm spite Of herself Immediate
ly, however. her exquisite face had
grown grave "We'l never speak OF
this little ring again, dear. DO you un-
derstundl'
And Cynthia-cleyer wise cynthia
understood. She understood that her
sisters nature did not crave sympa-
thy, the sort that thriyes upon mutual
confession and confidence. She under
stood that serene ana resolutc Frances
met the critical situations In life with
an inscrutablc reserve.
But I'm sure OF one thing" Cynthia
summed up TO herself. Here ut TWEEN
ty-cight Frances Is still unmarried. and
it's that little ruby ring that keeps
her an old maid I'm spite of her beau
ty"
A beauty That IL what Frances
Logan unqucstionnbly was She had
been photographed i'm every variety OF
pose that modern society approves.
She had been painted by several of the
most celebrated artists. I'm fact. she
was famous on two continents for her
rare and wonderful personal charms
Yet she was still unwcd. Must he
waiting for title" gossip said. as 9th
or 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 Ichabpd-
thing belonging to them, the old home
CfnnI fna1nIn1 90 Il
glory. \ wealthy marriage had been
pointed out ia Frances as her duty in
lie 40 sacrifice had been consl lered
too great TO give her the proper setting
10 this cnI. and her father ana Gym
thia. the second daughter and The two
little mothcrlcss boys had unc1mp'aln-
ingly submitted to remain i'm the back
ground that Frances might shine
abroad
More and more plainly stood out the
IChabOd More aud more ardently
pressed the suit OF Birney Gates for
Frances han He was man grow
Ing Old with thinning brown hair pa
thetically brushed. but with sun rod
dened face ANA eyes sharpclcl TO Keen
ness. - man FOR mcn-to plan. II di-
rect, Tho air OF the broad energetic
west in every movement" Cynthia
had once defined him. Presently Fran
COS grew weary of the struggle and
gave in From the beginning ii had
been an UNEQUAL. contest, for all along
she knew Chat she must reluitc her
family for their devotion As she was
going to sell herself for a price She
might MS well &c, the highest price.
Frances. my dear, am bankrupt"
old Mr. LOGAN had suid to her one
evening rs they were sitting around
the library fire. II can no longer keep
up even a pretcnse Of show. What
arc YOU going TO do2 Mr. Gates stands
ready to put Inc on my feet again.
but-ah Francesw His voice was al
most q cry.
Frances looked quickly away. She
was toying nervously with her little
ruby nng. Cynthia bent her head
over a magazine that she had picked
UP. and there was a constrained ST.
lence.
Frances dear. don't you think you
could accept him.
IF Mr. Gutes calls tomorrow. IA
Their | shall accept him." There was
a strange. sudden glitter In the girls
dark eyes ~ she bent over 70 stir the
smOlderng logs Cynthia inyoluntariIy
turned toward the shapeiy hand that
held the Ere tongs. The little ruby
ring was gone.
One morning few weeks later Mr..
Gates called nnd presented Frances
with jewel case. In the early light
he looked older aud rcddcr than ever.
She shrnnk frpS the touch Of his lips
on her hand Ns She opened the case
lIstlcssly 20 necklace Of diamonds and
rubie9 spraug 90 view
Rubics were Deer fayorite stones.
Some one else Dad promised her a
deluec of them when he should have
achieved fame aud fortune
Frances haven't You anything to
say They ore supcrb. rcprovcd Gym
thla But her sisters lip. only parted
IN faint lnscruublc smile.
'Mr Gnto. is aware tblt ln pic.
tuesquc s1crifcr one always decks
the Victim She said mocEmeIy
For second STR B.mcv Gates
Keen eyes looked uurrowue.y Ht this
cold insulting woman. go speedily TO
become t.s wife lIr almost c1ntem
plated R.r.u- Doc. Ia.. lo. liberty
Then ne ..r.."rr' I.s better impulse.
being Ied Hi .I NE Hor beauty. aud 20
look of mtrcry 2h.cucd b. tmp lius.
From under hn heavy HdGaI eyes
Cynthia watched him. ole v.u thine
Frances spirit horribly" N. thought