The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-09-21
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WYE WE'RE gathering up our
wv wraps preparatory To going
home. and Mr. Blake had
just taken possession OF the shawl
spread upon the rock where Eliza
beth had been altting. when she
uttered an exclamation.
My ring' II lis gone-my ruby
ring"
This ring was EliEabeth's dearest
possession. II was marquiac.
formed OF seven ruhies surrounded
by diamonds. and as all OF the
stones we're unusually good. II was
really very valuable.
IT cant be gone" exclaimed
Gabrielle. turning over sticks and
stones suspioiously. 1T must be
here"
1T was too loose: | should not
have worn II. Il must nave rolled
into the water. and shall never
soc Il again"
Don't feel that way about It,"
said Lord wilfrid. Il am quite sure
Ne viii find it"
but the ensuing search OF the
rocks was useless. altho they were
gone over inch by inch. the men
lighting matches 10 examine dark
creyiccs.
Al last We gave Il up and pre-
pared to so home. each In turn as
surfing Elizabeth that when morning
came she would surely find her
ring.
I've had a good time. barring the
last half hour" said Gordon Ken.
nett. as he took my shawl. Have
your"
Il don't know what Elizabeth viii
ever do without her ring" was my
reply.
Please doat worry he said
Tomorrow morning. bright and
early. I'll have another look at the
rocks II can't find II I'll get n
diver and see what he can do"
These practical suggestions were
very cheering. and ! turned To re-
peat them TO Elizabeth. She was
saying good night TO the Csmpbeils.
To my surprise heard Lady Edith
also suggesting the services OF n
diver.
They are quite wonderful. you
know" she was SAYING. and all
sorts OF things have been recovered
from tn. ocean"
So by degrees our guests depart.
ed and We returned To tho cottage
Mary Anne met US. holding the
door Hospitality open and smiling
cxpansivcly.
Well" she remarked. and did
YOU ave a good timeF And didn't
| ave a good supper"
We told her about EllEabcth's
loss. and she listened in silence.
Lost. Is it," sh. said. at last
Don't you fret. Miss Elizabeth. dear.
| know them rocks. inch by inch.
and III ave look meseif. 80 | ain
Jest 20 to sleep and rest casy. now :"
Il don't like suppers on the
rocks. do YOU"
NO. | think they're b.aNtly."
II was tho next afternoon. and
Gabrielle and I were sitting on the
veranda. Was pretending To read.
while she was frankly doing moth.
ing.
or course we had all visited tho
rocks many times. separately and
collectively. but had returned
empty -handsd and rather cross
Then. too. Gordon Bennett had not
appeared with his diver. nor had
We heard further from Lord wiifrId
on tho subject. 30 our faith In man.
Kind had suffered accordingly.
Presently Gabrielle started In the
direction OF the village after the
mail. and toward the rocks to
have one more look before dark.
II was useless 10 look again. rs I
well knew. yet | searched conEcien.
tiously for some time. then sat
down TO rest beside tho ashes Of
our last nights fire.
When thought II was time for
Gabrielle to be returning with the
mail ! started back 20 meet her. No
interesting letters had arrived for
either OF us. and she was quite as
glum as /. We could not get Eliza.
beth's ring out Of our minds.
The cottage was brightly lighted,
and Elizabeth stood In the door 10
welcome us.
Where have you been7' she er.
claimed II thought YOU would
never come home"
She seized our hands and dragged
US into the living room.
Look" she cried. her third fin.
ger extended.
And there vas the marquise ring.
It's seven rubies shining in the
bright light. and it's diamonds
twinkling ecstatically.
1T was Mary Anne" she said. in
answer to our question. isn't she
the dearest old thing7 To think
OF her simply roofing round among
the rocks until she found IT,"
When did she find it," | in.
quired. Il have Just come back
from the rocks"
But Elizabeth was above mere
details.
1T doesn't matter when she found
II 80 long az II IN here" she said
and dinner In ready. feel hungry
enough to eat the tablecloth."
CHAPTER VIII