The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-10-23
The RUBY RING
BY ALICIA eocKgtMAN.
Copyright. 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
syndicateD

She was sitting on the front porch
with flushed cheeks and an angry
! scowi 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" voice called from up
stairs. you had better dry your tears
and look cheerful"
"Oh, mother. how can I be happy
when you will not give me what I
want for a graduation present" fretted
Margaret.
"ChIld, enough Of that foollshness.
You have several rings already
enough for any girl OF your age. A
ruby ringl No, indeed, you shall not
have IT,"
II 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. II Is four o'clock and you have
never once thought Of Aunt Nehita-
bel. She will be waiting at the sta
ton for you'll" exclaimed Mrs. Ken
dali.
Dear me ! wish Aunt Mehitabel
would forget to come to my gradua-
tion." complained Margatst. going to
the garage.
As she drove up the street Mrs. Ken
dali bresthsd . sigh OF relief. "Well.
che 10 OF at last. II Margaret would
only like Aunt Mshitabeli'
In q 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 here7"
"Oh, was to meet two Of my col
iege chums on leave from camp" he
painted. Are you to meet someone,
toor
More likely someone is waiting 70,
me-" replied Margaret. "Oh. Charlie,
look at Aunt Mehitabel arguing with
one Of the porters Do you remember
herr"
"of course I do" laughed Charlie
"but look at my friends. the young
lieutenants, witnessing the parley."
The tardy pair rushed up to the
newcomers. and after salutations. In
Productions and apologies Aunt Mshita-
bel and Margaret were handed into
their auto and had started homsward.
Lands sake. child. why were you
so later scoldsd the tired traveller.
II delayed to tease mother to give
me q ruby ring for graduation. but
she won't" confessed her designing
niece.
"Ruby ring-stuf and nonsense r.
cried Aunt Mehitabel.
II was graduation night. Margare,
was putting the last touches to her
pretty gown. when a warning call from
downstairs told her II 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 Mehltsbsl was waiting fos
her In the lower hall.
Margaret. here IL q useful present
for you" she said solemnly. handing
her youthful kinswoman q book. Mar.
garst glanced at its 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 a soldiers uniform.
Come" he said quickly. "come a
little way from the doer. have some
thing to say to you"
Margaret followed him. somewhat
bswildered.
~ have been ordered to Camp
/ ONEIDA and wish to say good-by.
would like to have you accept this
little gift from me as keepsake"
Charlie drew a small box from his
pocket, pressed the spring. and Mar
garet saw ruby ringi
"why. how" began Margaret. as
tonishsd.
"0h, don't hesitate to take It. Your
Aunt Mehitabsl told me what might
give you." he pleaded
1T IL Just what I wanted. but ]
don't think It would come from you.
I shall wear II AZ talisman. But
you will come back from camp soon, y
she added, anxiously.
"Not until I've been over there
Charlie answered. smilinsly. There
was no smile on Margaret's face and
al the light went out Of her eyes
You will writer he asked.
yes" she said. putting her hand IN
his outstretchsd one. They were part.
ing. perhaps never to meet again In
this world-so he kissed her reverent-
IT,
The opening measures Of the grand