Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01

is to be reckoned with. Sometimes III
almost wish / hadn't won OUT
But think of the Millions
1.-The only thing I can think Of. Betty.
Is that miserable ruby. I've got to re-
cover it and sail for South America in
side of ten days. And she's in Califor-
mia! Did you ever hear of such luck?"
Betty Carrthers walked over and look
ed from the window. The giant black
was still under the street lamp and she
could not repress a shudder as she
glanced from time to time to the man on
the couch. A feeling of pity arose in her
breast. Harry Green was unworthy, aft
er all. He was not what he had seemed
to be to her in those days of her teens.
He was no longer an idol: her worshipful
hours were ended. Instead. he was a
weak, cringing being in the guise OF a
strong attractive man; he had been even
more false than Agatha, and he had not
the excuse of love TO offer in extenua-
ton. Pity and loathing fought for SUI
premacy. Something was shattered. and
she felt lonely yet relieved. Strangely.
she seemed content in the discovery.
He was leaning forward. staring blank
ly at the rug. when she turned to resume
her seat. A haggard face was raised to
hers and his hand trembled as he jerked
out his watch for the fourth time since
entering the room.
I'm a bit nervous" said he Time
flies
do you remember the fairy princesses
of your childhood books?" she asked sud-
denly. What would you say II one
should quickly appear in real life?'
What do you mean?"
"Outside stands the terrible ogre ready
to eat you up. Permit me to appear before
you as the fairy princess. l can save you
from death. My only regret Is that I cam
not provide you with an enchanted
tapestry. to watt You back to your lady
love in the beautiful land of Patagonia,
Here. hehold! l restore to you the won!
derful rubyi'
She unclasped the chain and dropped
the great jewel into his shaking hand,
He turned deathly white and then leaped
up with shout of increduous joy. A
hundred questions flew to his lips, faster
than she could answer. She allowed him
to babble on disjointedly for some time.
Isn't IT sufficient that I restore it to
you? Why ask questions? 1t was my
commission to do this thing. I'll confess
it hasn't happened just 1 anticipated.
but what of that? Doubtless you recall
this ring also. I think 1t signified an en-
gagement. Take it. There may come a
day when 1t will be ornamental as well
as useful to your wife" He accepted
the solitaire which she drew from her
finger. His face was a study.
Betty" he said, puzzled and helpless,
tit isn't possible that II was you in
stead Of Agatha that l gave these things
to? 1 had typhoid fever down there.
There are lot of things I don't remem-
Der since then. 1t wasn't you. of course"
She laughed in his perplexed face-a
good-humored, buoyant laugh
IF you can't remember. Harry 1 shan't
enlighten you. You have the ruby. Isn't
that enough?"
Ten minutes later he said goodbye to
her and sailed forth into the night She
stood in the window and watched the
huge sentinel stride off behind him like
gaunt shadow which could not be shaken
off. That figure and another like Ii were
TO cling to his heels until he came to his
journeys end. She smiled and shook her
head pityinsly as Harry Green passed out
of her life at the corner below.
In her room shortly afterward she took
an old photograph from drawer, looked
at 1t a moment with a smile on her lips
and then tore it into many pieces
1.-The strangest part of it is that don't
seem to mind" she said to herself, and
that night she slept peacefully.