El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-10
The Herald's Daily
ShertStOry

! metz she said. pointing to a small oak
! cabinet which he had always admired,
| and which stood in one corner of the
room This key will unlock the upper
drawer, and If you look inside you viii
find a tiny sandalwOOd box. Please
bring it to me"
He obeyed her directions and
brought the box. a tiny trifle which
opened it and took out a curious ring,
which she laid in his palm. 1t was
fashioned of old silver but. held a
great ruby, cleaning like a. drop Of
blood, and he exclaimed with pleasure
at the beautiful thing.
Yes. 1t is very beautiful" she
agreed, but its value is of the most
Importance now 1 do not wish MORA
could dispose of the ring for me? 1
am in need of money. and I believe it
will fetch good deal"
It was not until a week later that
Jack Mayne could spare the time to
dispose of the ring, and in the mean
time he had been very busy indeed, as
the exhibition at which he intended to
show several of his pictures was to be
held a week earlier than first intend
ed, so that he was forced to make ar
engagements at once. The picture Of
MORA, which was far and away his
best piece of work, stood in his studio
complete. but he hesitated a little over
sending It, since he felt sure it was
=
rashty to cOnfide in him. though as
he stood and looked at it he thrilled
good.
Taking Up the ring, he went out and
made his way toward curiO shop. the
proprietor of which he knew very well.
He had once sold him a set of ivory
chessmen, and in the course of talk
had Cleaned the information that his
invalid son was an artist, so that
gradually he had struck up a kind of
friendship. As he entered the gloomy
little shop he saw that a tall. WELL
dressed, elderly gentleman was lean
ing over the counter talking to Levi
son. and waited his turn. though the
proprietor looked up with a nod and
smile.
By and by the other customer turned
to examine some stones through a
magnifying glass. and LevisOn turned.
What can 1 do for you today, Mr.
MayneT' he asked and taking out the
little sandalwood box, Jack showed
him the ring But he was not pre-
pared for the start of astonishment the
man gave, and the quick upward stare
showed him that something uncom-
mon was here
Where did you get this. Mr..
Mayne?' he asked in a low voice. This
gentleman here and he mOtiOned to
the elderly man. who was still look
ing at the stOnes-'has one precisely
like it May 1 show him? Do you
mind?7
Jack Mayne hesitated. After all. the
ring was not his, and he explained this
to the other.
It's a most remarkable thing" said
the shOpkeeper The stone is really
valuable. you see. It's what is termed
a blood ruby"
At his last words, the other man
turned.
What's that about a blood ru5y?"
he asked
stones The sEopkeeper was forced to
astonished at the sudden start of the
bent down.
Where did you get this. sir?' he
cried Answer me I insist upon it
Where did you get this?"
Jack Mayne was in a quandary, and
heSitated. But the other grew in
sistent and at last he conceived the
idea of taking him back to his own
studio, where they could talk without
being overheard, the door opening just
then to admit a new customer.
1t is not mine" he told him. TT
was given me by a friend to sell for
her"
Who was she? What is he like?'
he demanded, and again Jack Mayne
hesitated.
How much or how little should he
tell? Then. as they entered the studio
the old gentleman suddenly came face
to face with the portrait of MORA and
gave a cry of triumph
1t is sher' he cried 1T is she! It
is my daughter!"