The Washington herald., 1914-05-10
DAILY SHORT STORY.
THE RUBY MEDALLION.
ny THOMAS n. BEyINs.

| much engrossed in reading to notice
ForGetful of all manners and customs O
the house OF Harrington, Georgia knel
on chair and leaned her chin on he
hands. resting her pretty elbows on tn
broad library table.
Its plain enough she retorted. IL
SAYS here, now listen, Bah. And to m
beloved friend. Mrs. Ross Kenton. tn
Jewel which has been in her possession
Tor twenty years. 1 do think 1t was fear
fuliy tactless OF Uncle Iris to put 1t lik
that. Why didn't he give 1t to her out
right"
We don't even know what II Is yet
And she is in India with the Barclays"
They came back Saturday. Tod toll,
me. She's with them. Tod says She
more beautiful and interesting thai
ever"
How long has she been a widow
asked Barbara. refectively.
-Four years"
And he says twenty In the will. wha
do you suppose II is?"
We'll, listen. II will be mine some day
probably" Georgia was nothing II no
direct in her mode of attack. II shall
simply tell Tod We want to know wha
II is, and he can ask her. It's right W,
should know: He was our uncle. and W,
come in for everything else
Wouldn't it be better as long as sh.
Is home again to call on her and tell hel
OF the clause in his will? There's tht
bell. and I don't want any one shown out
here. ! don't see who'd call. anyway
right after"
She stopped. Curtis was showing in
Tod and with him was a lady Georgia
unconsciously Strengthened herself and
looked with wide-eyed admiration at her
She was slender and rather tall. but in
initely graceful. Her eyes were deepest
grayish blue, the tint of summer sky
on sunless day. and her hair looked
dUsky and brown. Just touched with
gray. But II was more than features or
complexion that constituted her charm
There Was the look in her eyes and the
expression around her mouth. the whole
tender. gracious personality that reached
out TO one at once. Tod looked unhappy,
but as one who would do his duty or die
Georgia. dear. I want you to meet my
aunt Mrs. Kenton." he said. his eyes
pleading with Georgia to be lenient. And
Mrs. NOelmar. Aunt Lillian"
Georgia caught the mute appeal from
her betrothed. but absolutely ignored it.
Her first feeling of intense curiosity to
look at the woman who had swayed an
influence over Tristram Harrington for
twenty years died away as she met the
woman's eyes. They were beautiful eyes
warm. deep brown. fun Of an understand
ing sympathy. Barbara and Tod were
busy talking about the new carved
reredos at church. a perfectly safe. sane,
impersonal subject under the circum-
stances. but II left the weight of the sit
uation on Georgia. II was Lillian Kenton
herself who lifted it from the girls
shoulders
Il came 10 see you specially. my dear.
Can't you show me the roses out yon-
der?''
Georgia led the way out Of the side
door opening on the loggia. II had al
ways been her uncle's favorite place. the
long. hower-twined loggia and the gar
don below II. Beyond the garden lay the
slorinE fields up into the long. shad-
owy. pine-Coyered slope of Mount Ascut-
ney. 1t was late afternoon. The garden
always looked at its best then. Mrs.
kenton moved down the wide steps. and
along the winding. box-bordered paths
leisurely. stopping now and then at some
rosebush in full bloom.
Il always loved it here" she said, soft
". II haven't been in the old garden for
twenty yesrs-twenty long years"
She stonped and took from her throat a
long gold chain with an oval medallion
suspended from il. Set into one side Of
II was wonderful ruby. deep colored
and oval, too. II Glowed in the sunset
light rs IL it held the embers of some
hidden fire. On the other side Of the me-
dalton was miniature Of Tristram Har-
rinEton, not as Georgia remembered him,
but young. his brown. wavy hair upcurl-
ing from his forehead. his eyes fun OF
mirth Mrs Eenton stood
looking down at il for a minute in silence.
a curious little smile If tenderness on
her face.
He was a darling lad. He gave mo
this. here in the garden. Georgia. You
don't mind nv calling you that do YOU ,
II was the last time I refused to marry
him. 7 think he had becn asking me for
fully five years-since We were fourteen
and eighteen
Didn't you love him asked Georgia
anXiously.
Dear. | didn't know what love was 7
liked him immensely. hut didn't love
him until-it was too late" She looked
up suddenly into the eager. flushed face
so near her own. "You arc going to
marry Tod. aren't you
Why. II expect to-" Georgia laughed
n little. I'VE have awful fuses. but We
always make up
Marry him just as soon as You can"
She held the face in II" miniature near
or. There's nothing in all the world
like young love. Tristram gave me this
that last day. was leaving for Europe
with my aunt. She was wealthy. and my
people are not. Neither was Tristram.
not th"n. And I was to he given what
they called my chance. And he asked mo
not TO 60. to stay here in this dear old
garden and be his wife didn't know
that I was throwing away Paradise. my
dear, didn't know He told me if
was quite sure that I did not love him.
| was to send this back"
'oh. I see." brcathcd Georgia. but YOU
Mrs. Kenton bowed her head Yes. 7
and paid for throwing away the
garden, but I never sent this hack.
could not. Would you like it now
Georgia's eyes filled with tears. She
the long years of her uncle's
life there at Rosemcade. He had never
but with all his success and ac-
of wealth he had chung to tho
Did country house with its wonderful rose
garden. Perhaps he had hoped that some
day she would come back to it.
The house has been left to You. un-
leTstand. and Barbara will have the new
one in town. Tod seemed worried and
uncertain TODAY when I asked him about
the date of the wedding
''Tll set it," Georgia exclaimed imretu-
Dusly. IN marry him before the SUM-
ner is over. and don't think Uncle Iris
would mind hit. And I wouldn't take
back the medallion for all the world. It
must have made him happy at least to
know you wanted to keep It,
Tod and Barbara came Ieisurely toward
hem down the terrace steps, and Mrs.
[enton took possession Of Bah. Tod
stood awkwardly. looking down at the
igure on the old Roman seat She looked