Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-04-22
she chung to him. Oblivion. Of oul

he SPOKE genIy, as n Gains q
frightened child, and still retaining
her hand turned to Elizabeth.
I'm really very sorry, but we must
go home. 1t has been an awfully jolly
evening. Mrs. Graham is a bit un.
strung, she's not strong, you know;
l shouldn't have allowed her to stay
out so long in the night air. And of
course l shouldn't have sung"
We murmured polite, If slightly in
coherent, regrets and tried to look as
though nothing surprising had hap
pened, but l think we were all relieved
when the Grahams finally departed.
As we watched their ~retreating fig
ures gradually grow smaller in the
distance, Gabrielle voiced the question
that trembled on my lips.
why shouldn't he sing?"
Nobody was ready with an appro-
pirate reply, for it really did seem as
though one endowed with so enviable
a gift should be permitted to use it at
will.
I shivered a little, for the embers no
longer sent out any heat, and the
wind from the ocean had suddenly
grown damp and chill. Lady Edith
also shivered and drew her cloak
closely about her.
81 think we, too, must 60" she said;
II am sorry the evening has ended. 1t
has been very delightful, and l shall
always remember it."
Il should suppose Mrs. Graham
would remember it also" remarked
Gabrielle, 'but I don't believe she
thought it delightful"
We were gathering up our wraps
preparatory to going home as she
spoke, and Mr.. Blake had just taken
possession Of the shawl spread upon
the rock where Elizabeth had been sit
ting when she uttered an exclamation.
my ring! 1t is gone-my ruby
ring"
This ring was Elizabeth's dearest
possession and the pride of her heart.
1t vas a marquise, formed Of seven
rubies surrounded by diamonds, and
as all Of the stones were unusually
good it was really very valuable. We
were aghast at the catastrophe and
fastened to help her look for 1t.
1T can't be gone" exclaimed Gabri-
ellie, turning over sticks and stones
suspiciously; ut must be here"
1T was too loose; l should not have
worn it. I must have rolled into the
water and I shall never see it again
Elizabeth spoke in the hushed tone
in which one refers to those recently
removed by death.
Don't feel that way about it," said
Lord Wilfrid, reused at last; II am
quite sure we will find it. Let's see
you sat here with Edith, and Graham
and Mr.. Blake Just below. 1t might
have caught in the fringe Of the shawl.
Perhaps Mr.. Blake will kindly
shake it."
MI. Blake complied without result.
Useless also was the ensuing search
of the rocks, although they were gone
owe inch by inch, the men lighting
matches to examine dark %crevices
while we scrutinized the most i'm
probable places and tried to peer into
the rapidly rising water.
At last we gave 1t up and prepared
to go home, each in turn assuring Eliz
abeth that when morning came she
would surely find her ring, but never.
theless secretly convinced that it was
irrevocably gone.
give had a good time, barring the
last half hour" said Gordon Bennett,
as he took my shawl; "have you?"
II don't know what Elizabeth will
ever do without her ring" was my
evasiye reply.
"Glve her another. The jewels your
ship is bringing you are far more val
liable"
Nonsense" I interrupted. "Can't
you e that she is unhappy and we
are all worried%
please don't worry" he said; ito
morrow morning bright and early III
have another look at the rocks. I'm
rather a good prophet and something
tells me she will get it again. If
can't find 1t I'll get a diver and see
what he can do. But / don't think we
will need him, for when daylight
comes it will probably be discovered
exactly where she dropped 1t. Any
way, there is no use giving up a thing
as lost until every possible means Of
finding it is exhausted. You won't
worry, will you?"
These practical suggestions were
very cheering and / turned to repeal
them to Elizabeth. She was saying
goodnight to the Campbelfs, who hat
decided to return to the hotel along
the shore. To my surprise I hear(
Lady Edith also suggesting the serv
ices of a diver.
"They are quite wonderful, you
know" she was saying, "and all sort
Of things have been recovered from
the ocean"
EYES," added Lord Wilfrid, eve will
all have another look tomorrow, ant
IL 1t is not to be found by daylight
know Of ar expert diver. However
I'm sure when the tide goes out 1t will
be left among the rocks"
So by degrees our guests departed
and We returned to the cottage, rath
er depressed and inclined to considel
the evening a failure.
Mary Anne met us, holding the doc,
Hospitality open and smiling expan
sively.
Well" she remarked, "and did yol
ave a good time? And didn't I 'av'
a good SUPERB
We told her about Elizabeth's los
and she listened in silence. But he
ruddy face grew serious and her jaw
dropped, as we described our searcl
among the rocks and our theory tina
II - h 49, ~ LL q. ~. LA L AL MI