The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-11-27

Tie
RUBY RING

pail small object sank to the bottom
and vas concealed by. q quantity OF
sand, Takins the d!pper which
hung on the we'll, Parker dipped
down into the water Il was toe
precious to turn out-and /. was only
a moment before h, held in his hand
"a gold ring.
tt was tarnished to be sure. but II
was strangely familiar. For an in
slant he doubted his own eyes. but
after, he had looked at the setting.
whichSheld q peculiarly shaped ruby
and several tiny pea.'ls. and glanced
at the inscription inside. he knew
-ithout doubt that it was the ring
he had given to Ruth Lorton three
.ears ago.
She had lost it while away on her
vacation which she had spent at this
same farm mhouse-this was the rea-
soon why Parker had decided to
come mere. Ea-ly one mornin. Ruth
q had gone down stairs and when she
returned to her room only few mo-
ments later the ring. which had been
lying on her bureau was not to be
found anywhere.
When she had told Parker this
story, he had unoonsciously shown a
little doubt in his manner. Ruth
had resented this and quarrel had
arisen which had resulted in their
engagement being broken.
You said you was goin fshin'
with me today" piped Joys voice
as Parker prer -red to make himself
comfortable on the shady side Of the
piazza. A boy about ten years old
was Looping up the steps. His shock
Uf tow-colored hair and the numerous
f.'eckles which often go with 1t were
topped by wide-brimmed straw hat.
We'll. Bob. don't believe we'll go
this morning. It's most too late now.
Well start early some other morn
Ing. What do you say?"
"All right" Bob assented. but he
acted a little disappointed. We're
goin' to have another boarder next
week." he said rather unexpectedly.
after short pause.
She's 6 dandy" went on the boy.
She's good, too-Miss Lorton is"
Parker stared at him. Miss Lor-
ton he repeated. What day "is
she coming?" ne asked. turning the
ring over and over in his hand.
Monday" answered Bob. she"
But he did not finish mis- sentence.
He turned suddenly and almost ran
lnto the house.
a Parker could hardly wait for Mon
faay to come. He WIS sitting on the
piazza when she came. She paled
fslightly at the first sight of him. but
returned his bow cooIy as she passed
into the house.
For three days Parker found it
impossible to speak to Ruth alone.
4Ie was confident that If he could
have talk with her and show her
the ruby ring everything would be as
it had been three years ago. His
thoughts were interrupted by the ap-
pearance or Bob.
II want" stammered the boy.
standing first on one leg and then
the other. He evidently had some
thing on his mind which he wanted
to tell Parker. but did not know
now to begin.
What Is 1t Bob?" asked Parker,
with a.: encouragiL.: smile
You've given me q knife and @
ashin' pole, and / don't know what.
and I'm goin' to tell you some.
thin"
"All right" said Parker kindly.
''I'm waiting"
You know that ring you got out,
of the well t'other mornin and"
"Yes. yes" broke in Parker.
Yau held it in your hand IS though
You thought lot of it wanted 20
tell you then. but I couldn't. And
when she come sec you two wasn't
sood friends, and SO I'm goin' to tell
you about it. I throwed-it Into the
we'll"
You threw 1t into the we'll" re-
peated Parker. astounded. What
Eor?"
I'm going to tell You the truth.
took the ring of Miss Lorton's bu-
Feau. 'causeHtwas awful shining and
pretty-I was only a kid then. When
see everybody huntin' for 1t l got
scared and throwed 1t in the well.
I've been awful sorry l done it."
Bob's eyes were fixed on the floor Of
the piazza. and Parker was confident
tEat be was very near tears.
Bob, you've made a lot of trou-
oie." he said after a while. But
you're brick to tell now. If you'll
90 to Miss Lotion and tell her, maybe
things will be all right
1T isn't necessary" said voice
right behind them. Looking Up.
Parker saw Ruth smiling with the
old lovelight in her eyes. Bob went
away softly and left the two alone.
He was only a little child then"
said Ruth. I'VE mustn't blame
him."
No. indeed we mustn't" returned
Parker fervently. "Bob's all right
After a moment he added. "Wil. you
torglve me Ruth. for acting as though
I doubted you?"
There's nothing to forgive R.
Ronald. I was as much to blame as
you"
Parker took the ring from Ills