The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-01
THE FATAL RUBY
CHARLES GARVICE
Author of "Just a Girl" "Diana and
 Destiny" "In WoIf's Clothing" etc.
Copyright, 1909 By George H. Doran Company
(Continued from Page s.)

remarked one morning, as they sat on deck, Tt is more than pity that MT. Desborough could not catch us at Marseilles,'' Cara looked up with a start of surprise, and said:
 MT. Desbrough? Who is that:"
 The Princess stared at her, then co1oured with embarrassment.
 why, Ronald! You must not mind me calling him by his Chris tian name. I have known him for some years, and-and we have been great friends. He did me a great service once-'' She saw Cara g amazement and bewilderment. Sure ly you know of whom I am speak ing, Miss Raven?"
 Cara shook her head.
 "No," she said simply; you cam not mean Robert? ?'
 'I can't mean any other!" said the Princess. "Is it possible that you know him by another name? mean your-your future husband
 Cara blushed, and she said grave ly:
 ''Is that his name-Desborough No; did not know it. He told me -
 Whatever he told you, he had good reason for doing it, said the Prin- cess Loyalty. "He is the soui of hon. our.''
 '.I know that said Cara, as if she were stating that the sun was shin ing. And he is Ronald Desborough
 "Yes." said the Princess. "As have told you so much, may as well -it is only fair to you that I should tell you more. If am doing wrong ly Ronald will forgive me. He is the son of a baronet, Sir Reginald Desborough, of Thorden Hall."
 "I know" said Cara quietly. T to me when I lived in mill near the Hall. I did not know that Robert Ronald-it is hard to change the name in ones mind so quickly-was her brother"
 The Princess now was overwheim- ed with surprise for moment or two. she said at last. Ronald may not have wanted you to know
 You shall not tell me any more" i" said Cara in a low voice.
 T~s~ 'but I must say this, for-for both our sakes. We have been ol.l friends, he and Tho more than that. Oh, no more! I am married, Cara. have been very unhappy
 Not for moment had Cara been suspicious, and she stretched out her hand, and laid it, with all the sym pathy of her strong nature, on the elder woman's arm. It was at that instant, perhaps, that the Princess surrendered, gave up her love for tie girl to her heart.
 They reached London, and the Princess took Cara to the house in Eaton Square which the Princess owned, and treated her as a sister.
 There is nothing to be done until Ronald comes, dear,'' she sa,u. I've can only wait.''
 They had not long to wait, for in less than a week telegram came from Ronald. He and Smithers had started, and would reach them in a few hours. They arrived in the ev- ening, and the Princess met Ronald in the hall, with both hands out stretched and brave look of friend Illness in her eyes, which answered the question in his with a smile.
 "Yes; she is all right. You will see. She is waiting for you up- stairs. We are both glad you have come!''
 He pressed her hands in wordless gratitude, and went up the stairs two steps at a. time, and caught Cara in his arms.
 'sLet me look at you, dearest! he said, after a moment or two. "Ah, it's the old Cara come back to mellow we'll you are looking! Tell me about the voyage. The Princess has been -"
 More than good to me-" Cara has, tened to assure him. "No one could have been kinder. She is a true friend, Robert-Ronald-yo see I know!"
 He nodded.
 "Yes, dearest? She has told you? There was no time at Monte Carlo to tell you, to explain. I was coming from the Hall, my fathers place, that night I lost my way across the moor and-found youi I had quarrel with the Princess's husband and was afraid that I had hurt him seriously, perhaps killed him-no, not he is all right!-so I took another name I will tell you everything
 And my father?" she asked in a low voice, her face averted.
 Ronald shook his head.
 T don't know what has become of him, dearest; he has disappeared, and could not trace him. You are not -grieving, Cara?''
 "No," she said, looking at him with