The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-04-26
HE LITTLE
RUBY RING
By Virginia Leila Went.

copyright, 1907, by Homer Sprague.l
1t was an inconsequent band with d
ruby setting, an odd little ring of nc
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.
ed to her sister, who happened to be
polishing the stone, IF that ruby had
a story that went With 1t. why that
would be a different thing. If, for ex,
ample, 1t had been given to Uncle John
when he was consul to Calcutta by the
rajah of Singhalee for a seryice-hid.
ing him in the consulate during an In
surrection or something. If in hand.
ing 1t to uncle the rajah had said: 'Ex-
cellency, this ruby rolled from the
wounds that killed Ezuka, fayorite
princess of my ancestor, the king OF
Ahar' - one moonlight night as the
king strolled in the royal gardens,
barking to the nightlngales"
"What an unmitigated goose you are,
Cynthia." Frances had interrupted,
smiling in spite Of herself. Immediate
ly, however, her exquisite face had
grown grave. "We'n never speak of
this little ring again, dear. Do you un-
derstandw
And CynthiaAclever, 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 inscrutahle re erve.
but I'm sure Of one thing" Cynthia
summed up to herself 'vere at twen-
ty-eight Frances Is still unmarried, and
its that little ru,y ring that keeps
her an old maid in Spite Of her beau
ty." .
4 beauty? That is what Frances
Logan unauastionably 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. f9r less charming. came out.
danced through a season or two ana
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. 4 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
thla. 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 ont the
Ichabod. More and more ardently
pressed the suit OF Birney Gates for
Frances hand. He was a 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, 10 Ill. |
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 I'm. From the beginning ii had
been an unequal contest, for ali along |
she knew that she must requife her
family for their devotion. As she was
going TO sell herself for n price she |
might as well get the highest price.
Frances. my dear, I am bankrupt"
old Mr.. Logan had said to her one
evening as they were sIttl~g 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 put me on my feet again.
but-ah, Frances His voice was al
most 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 constrained w.
Ience.
Frances, dear, don't you think you
could accept himT'
'If Mr.. Gates calls tomorrow. IN.
ther, I shall accept him." There was
D strange, sudden glitter in the girls
dark eyes as she bent over to stir the
logs. Cynthia InyoluntarIly
turned 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
be looked older and redder than eEer.
She shrank from the touch Of his lips
IN her hand. As she opened the case
IlstIessly a necklace OF diamonds and
-ubies sprang to view.
RubIes were her fayorite stones.
Some one eIsp had promised her n
ielnge. OF them when be should have
achieved fame and fortune.
Frances, haven't you anything TO
,a.E ffsi.a,, 49, .,...swf.fsg -a.......a - 1