The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-02-24
THE RUBY RING
BY ALICIA socKELMAN.

and mother seem determined to give
me something else"
She was sitting on the front porch
with flushed cheeks and an angry
sccwl clouded her beautiful face. She
pushed aside her curly, black hair,
which the wind would blow In her eyes
TO irritate her still more.
Margaret" a voice called from up
stairs, 'you had better dry your tears
and look cheerful"
"Oh, mother, how can I be happy
when you win not give me what i
want for a graduation present" fretted
Margaret
Child, enough Of that foolishness.
You have several rings already
enough for any girl Of your age. A
ruby ringl No, indeed, you shall not
have it,
Il didn't want q gold wrist watch.
mother"
why, Margaret, you have been ask
ing for one all along until this new
idea of a ruby ring came into your
head. Whatever"
why doesn't father buy me onef
interrupted Margaret,
Father has already bought you a
pearl pendant. But, Margaret, my
dear, it is four o'clock and you have
never once thought Of Aunt Mehita-
bel. She VIII be waiting at the sta
ton for you'll" exclaimed Mrs. Ken
dali.
Dear me I wish Aunt Mehitabel
would forget to come to my gradua-
tiOn," complained Margaret, going to
the garage.
As she drove up the street Mrs. Ken
dali breathed a sigh OF relief "wen,
she is of at last. II Margaret would
only like Aunt MehitabelT'
In a few minutes Margaret was ut
the station as the train was disappear
ing around Atlantic Hill. She was
Jumping out of the macl6ne when
Charlie Montgomery hurried up to the
station curb.
why, Charlie" she asked, what
are you doing here?"
"Oh, was to meet two Of my col
lege chums on leave from camp" he
painted. Are you to meet someone.
too?"
More likely someone In waiting for
me-" replied Margaret. "Oh, Charlie,
look at Aunt Mehitabel arguing with
one of the porters. Do you remember
herr"
''of course 1 do" laughed Charlie !;
but look at my friends, the young
lieutenants, witnessing the parley."
The tardy pair rushed up to the
newcomers, and after salu6atiOns. In
Productions and apologies Annt Mehita-
bel. and Margaret were handed into
their auto and had started homeward.
Lands sake, child, why were you
SO later" scolded the tired traveller.
81 delayed to tease mother to give
me a ruby ring for graduation, but
she won't" confessed her designing
niece.
RUBY ring-stuff and nonsense 2"
cried Aunt Mehitabel.
1t was graduation night. Margaret
was putting the last touches to her
pretty gown, when a warning call from
downstairs told her IL was time she
| was ready.
"Just a moment, "~she answered, tax
ing another survey Of herself.
Being satisfied she snatched MP
her outer garments and sped down
stairs. Aunt MshitabeI was waiting for
her I'm the lower hall
Margaret, here II q useful present
for you" she said solemnly, handing
her youthful kinswoman q book. Mar
garet glanced at it's title, Household
Arts"
Th-thank you very much, Aunt.
You are $50 kind" she stammered.
The graduation exercises were about
to begin. Margaret heard her name
called softly. Turning around. she
saw Charlie In soldiers uniform
Come" he said quickly. "eoms a
little way from the door. have some
thing to say to you"
Margaret followed him, somewhat
bewildered.
Il have been ordered to Camp
ONEIDA and wish to say Ro0d-by. I
would like to have you accept this
little gift from me an a keepsake"
Charlie drew q small box from his
pocket, pressed the spring. and Mar
garet saw-a ruby rtngI
why, how" began Margaret, as
tonished.
'Oh, don't hesitate to take it- Your
Aunt Mehitabel told me what might
give YOU" he pleaded
TT In just what wanted. but j
didn't think 1t would come from you.
1 shall wear II as q talIsman- But
you win come back from camp soon, "
she added, anxiouly.
mot until I've been over there
Charlie answered, smiungiy. There
was no smile on Margarets face and
all the light went out Of her eyes.
you VIII writer he asked
Eyes," she said, putting her hand IN
his outstretched one They were part
ing, perhaps never to meet again In
this world-so he kissed her reverent-