Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01
THE GREEN RUBY-BY GEORGE BARR McCUTCF1EON

unfashionably dressed. eager-ayed and
wistful Instead. the tall fellow who
came forth was attired in the most modern
English garments; he was brown. fresh
faced. keen-eyed and prosperous looking
The same old Harry Green grown
stronger handsomer. more polished. His
black eyes were sweeping the street anX-
iously as if in search of some one. He
did not see Betty Carrithers. and her
heart sank.
Behind him stalked two gigantic ne
groes They were the center of all OBJ
servation. People stared at the blacks
who carried Harry Green's bags as If
they were looking upon creatures just
out of an Arabian Nights tale. Nearly
seven feet tall and of herculean proper
tons were these giants. 1t is no small
wonder that the crowd CAPPED and felt
something like awe min9ling with Gu
riosty.
Mr. Green. erstwhle Patagonian sur
veyor, started at the sound of soft
voice close at hand. voice in which
grateful surprise was uppermOSt.
why, Harry Green! How do you do"'
He turned and beheld Miss Carrithers.
She was leaning forward in her carriage.
her little gloved hand extending toward
him impusively. She was amazed to see
a look Of relief flash in his eyes. His
smile was broad and wholesome as he
gripped the little hand in mighty
brown one.
Betty Carrithers!' he exclaimed.
"Now. this is like home! By George, you
haven't changed a bit"
Don't you think SOP she flushed. ut
has been several years. you know. A
woman can change terribly in
"Ah. but you've just changed into a
woman"
and what man you've grown to be!''
admiringly.
II hope so. Patagonia would make a
ting
One?'
II was: but I see every one has come
out. Won't you let me take you up town
Goodness. who are those awful giants
that stand over there all the time like
guards?'
They're from Patagonia Call them
anything you like; they don't understand
English. They are my men Of all work.
Thanks, l will ride up with you. Tell
him to stop al the ST. Charles Then
he turned and spoke to the giants. who
solemnly nodded their heads and climbed
beside Miss Carrithers. There was a
hunted look in his eyes and a nervous
tremor in his voice. "A sort of body
guard. as it were, Betty. BY the way,
you haven't seen Agatha Holmes. have
you? l telegraphed to her"
Miss Carrithers had braced herself for
this question and she also had prepared
an answer. She could not look at his
face. however, despite her determination
Agatha Holmes? Is it possible you
haven't heard? Don't you know that
that she is married?"
She knew in her heart it was a cruel
blow, but it was the best way, after ALL
1nstinctively she felt that he had ceased
breathing, that his body was Stiffening
under the shock, that his eyes were star
ing at her unbelevingly. Imagine her
surprise, even CONSERVATION. when, after
q GREATNESS moment, his tremendous sigh
of relief was followed by the most cheer
full of remarks.
Good Lord" he fairly gasped. that
simplifies Matters
She turned like a flash and found his
face radiant with JOY. It was hard for
ally was rejoicing; she had expected him
to groan with despair. 1t was no wonder
that her plan of action was demolished
on the instant. 1t is not surprising that
every vestige of resourcefulness was
swept away by this amazing reverse. She
stared at him So pathetically, so helpless
ly that he laughed aloud
II know what you're thinking" he said.
and there was no mistaking the lightnesS
of his heart Il don't blame you for be-
ing shocked if you thought I had come
back to such a fate as you evidently
pictured Betty. by Jove. you'll never
know how happy you've made me-
II am surprised. Agatha told me
that you-you-'
And she's really married? Never mind
what she told YOU 1t doesn't matter now
Is she happy"
"She adores her husband-young Jim
my Cannable You know him. She will
be crazy with joy, Harry. when she finds
out that you, too. are happy. She was
half mad with remorse and an that. 1t
will
Heavens, Betty, I thought was the