The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-02
THE FATAL RUBY

lddl udlu, Sir
What young lady? Oh, ah, yes,
said Ronald, as he remembered the
Princess allusion to the girl, who
was either the Counts daughter or
his wife.
An, accordin' to her, a poor kind
o. time the young lady as. Shes
KEEP there like kind O prisoner
never allowed outside the gates, no
visitors permitted, just shut up in
the 'ouse and grounds as if she
were a luny, which it appears she's
far from bein'. The maid an me
got quite friendly-an, with your
leave, sir, I'm agoin to meet 'er
outside the gates tonight at quar-
ter past eight. She's goin to bring
me the answer to a perlite message
sent the coachman.'
Ronald laughed.
You can have leave he said,
but if You take my advice, you'll
steer clear OF her"
We'll, don't like to 20 back
on woman, sir" pleaded Smithers,
with intense gravity.
"Oh, you'll go, l can see said
Ronald; but, for goodness sake,
don't get into row, or ! shall
have to leave you behind. Send some
morning clothes to the Paris Hotel,
at Monte Carlo; / may want them.
Right sir said Smithers, as he
followed him up on deck. Don't you
be nervous about me; | can take
care Of myself, sir, as the hedgehog
said when the slug threatened i'm
with a iding. Interesting thing, nat
ural 'istory, sir"
Ronald nodded absently.
Don't you make an ass of your
self, Smithers," he sara warningly,
as he dropped into the boat.
"No, sir; no use wastin' time doin
work that's been done already, re-
piled Smithers with a grin.
When Ronald reached the hotel
he found that Brandon and Clemson
had finished their breakfast and gone
out probably in search of him, and
after he had got through his roll
and coffee he went round to the
Golden Eagle The Princess came
down to him at once; she had her
outdoor things on, and held out
both hands to welcome him.
You have not forgotten" she
said.
is it likely" he responded. We'll
get a carriage and so for drive,
shall we?"
"Oh, anything ns-yes!' she assented
happily
They hired a carriage at the near
est stand and drove along the rO1d
to San Reno. 1t did not occur to
Ronald that a drive alone with her
would shock the conventionalities-
indeed, Monte Carlo conventionalities
are not easily shocked and If the
Princess mad given a thought to the
matter she would have regarded it
with Indifference. The consciousness ,
OF his presence. of his nearness, left /
no room for considerations of pru-
dence.
They did not pass many persons, .
for it was still too early for the
human butterflies to air themselves
and flutte- in the sunlight, enticing
as it was. and they leaned back
enjoying the exquisite scenery and
the soft warmth of the atmosphere
il must be confessed that Ronald
ative companion; and most OF the
Time while he was apparently lis
tening to the gentle voice OF the
woman ut his side, his mind was
elsewhere haunting that island
where he had met and lost the girl
he 10, ed But suddenly the Princess
touched his arm and reused lis a
tention.
This is the Counts villa" she
said.
Ronald looked up a. the huge gates
and laughed.
The Count again!" he said.
There's no getting away from him.
My man on board the yacht had
an adventure, as he called it, out
side here last night
He told her Smithers' story; and
she listened attentively as she
would have done If he had repeated
the alphabet.
Poor girl" she said, with a sigh.
Il pity her, whoever or whatever she
is. Think of her, a prisoner, and in
h. - H.. .g,,I