The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-02-13
H RUBY RING
BY ALICIA ~BocKELMAN.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
.918, by Mcclure Newspape'
Syndicate.)

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 1 be happy
when you will not give me what /
want for q graduation present." fretted
Margaret.
"Child, enough Of that foolishness.
You have several rings already
enough for any girl of your age. A
ruby ring! No, indeed, you shall not
have it,"
II didn't want a gold wrist watch,
mother"
"Why, Margaret, you have been ask
ing for n all along until this new
idea of a ruby ring came into your
head. Whatever"
"Why doesn't father buy me one?"
interrupted Margaret.
Father has already Bought you a
pearl pendant. But, Margaret, my
dear, it is four o'clock and you have
v once thought of Aunt Mehita-
bel. She will be waiting at the sta
ton for you!" exclaimed Mrs. Ken
dali.
Dear me I wish Aunt Mehitabei
would forget to cone to my gradual
tion," complained Margaret, going to
the garage.
AS she drove up the street Mrs. Ken
dali breathed a sigh of relief. "Well,
h is off at last. If Margaret would
only like Aunt Mehitabel!"
In a few minutes Margaret was at
the station as the train was disappear.
Ing around Atlantic Hill. She was
jumping out of the machine when
Charlie Montgomery hurried up to the
station curb.
"Why, Charlie" she asked, what
are you doing here?"
"Oh, l was to meet two Of my COL
lege chums on leave from camp he
painted. "Are you to meet someone,
too?"
More likely someone is waiting for
me-" replied Margaret. ooh, Charlie,
look at Aunt Mehitabel arguing with
n of the porters. Do you remember
herr"
"Of our I do" laughed Charlie;
"but look at my friends, the young
l~feutenants, witnessing the parley."
The tardy pair rushed UP to the
newcomers, and after salutations. in
Productions and apologies Aunt 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.
Il delayed to tease mother to give
me a ruby ring for graduation, but
She WON'T" confessed her designing
niece.
ruby ring-stur and nonsense"
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 it was time she
was ready.
"Just a moment" she answered, TAX
ing another survey of herself.
Being satisfied she snatched up
her outer garments and sped down
stairs. Aunt Mehitabel was waiting for
her in the lower hall.
Margaret, here is a useful present
for you," she said solemnly, handing
her youthful kinswoman a 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 We're about
to begin. Margaret heard her name
called softly. Turning around, she
saw Charlie in a soldiers uniform.
Come" he said quickly, "come a
little way from the door. I have some
thing to say to you"
Margaret followed him, somewhat
bewildered.
II have been ordered to Camp
ONEIDA and wish to say good.by. /
would like to have you accept this
little gift from me as a keepsake"
Charlie drew a small box from his
pocket, pressed the spring, and Mar
garet saW-a ruby ring!
"Why, how" began Margaret, as
tonished.
"Oh, don't hesitate to take it. Your
Aunt Mehitabel told me what 1 might
give you," he pleaded.
1T is just what 1 wanted, but l
didn't think it would come from you.
I shall wear it as a talisman. But
you will come back from camp soon,"
she added, a%nxiously.
"Not until I've been over there"
Charlie answered, smilingly. There
was no smile on Margaret's face and
all the light went out of her eyes.
"You will writer" he asked.
Eyes," she said, putting her hand IN