Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-01-28
She chung to him. oblivious OF our

ureS gradually .srow 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
gift should be permitted to use 1t at
will.
shivered 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.
Il think we, too, must CO." she said;
81 am sorry the evening has ended. 1t
has been very delightful, and | shall
always remember it,"
II should suppose Mrs. Graham
would remember it Also" remarked
Gabrielle, ''but | 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 was marquise, formed of seven
rubies surrounded by diamonds. and
oil Of hn CT 1lxy
good it was really very valuable. We
were aghast at the catastrophe and
fastened to help her look for It.
1T can't be gone" exclaimed Gabri.
ellie, turning over sticks and stones
suspiciously; "it must be here"
1T was too loose; should not have
worn it. l must have rolled into the
water and 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; Il 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,"
Mr.. Blake complied without result.
Useless also was the ensuing search
of the rocks, although they were gone
over 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.
M last we gave it 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.
1--WE had a good time, barring the
last half hour" said Gordon Bennett,
as he took my shawl; have your"
II don't know what Elizabeth will
ever do without her ring" was my
evasive reply.
Give her another. The jewels your
ship is bringing you are far more val
liable"
Nonsense" I interrupted. Cant
| you see that she is unhappy and we
are all worried?"
please don't worry" he said; "to,
morrow morning bright and early I'll
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 it I'll get diver and see
MI q hn In pt,f inly
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 @ 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 repeat
them to Elizabeth. She was saying
! goodnight to the Campbells, who had
| decided to return to the hotel along
the shore. To my surprise Z heard
Lady Edith also suggesting the serv
! ices of diver.
| They are quite wonderful, you
know" she was saying, "and all sorts
OF things have been recovered from
| the ocean"
YES" added Lord Wilfrid, 1--WE will
! all have another look tomorrow, and
if it is not to be found by daylight ]
know of an expert diver. However
I'm sure when the tide goes out it will
be left among the rocks"
So by degrees our guests departed
and we returned to the cottage, rath'
/ er depressed and inclined to consider
( the evening a failure,
Mary Anne met us, holding tae door
Hospitality open and smiling expan
! siveiy.
WELL" she remarked, "and did you
ave a good time? And didnS AYE
a good supper"
We told her about Elizabeth's loss
and she listened in silence. But her
| rudy face grew serious and her jaw
! dropped, as we described our search
among the rocks and our theory that
the ring had dropped into the sea.
Lost, is it," she said at last; dom
you fret, Miss Elizabeth, dear ] know
them rocks inch by inch, and I'll ave
look meself, so | will. Jest go &c
sleep and rest easy now"
We were glad to follow this sensible
advice, but | think we all were some
time in getting to sleep. | found my
self thinking of Mrs. Graham, rather
than the lost ring, and wondering
vaguely why she did not like to hear