The Press., 1920-02-19
Lost and Found
 ~1
By WALTER J. DELANEY
<Copyrisht 1913, by the Western News
 paper Union.)

Copyright, 1913, by the western 1>e"s
 paper Union.)
 There was the swing and the smile of unrestrained sheer joy of living present with Ruby Dale as she crossed a vacant space to the house of the nearest neighbor.
 "Nearest-and dearest!' she whis- pered laughingly to herself, and then flushed peony red and she glanced at a ring on her white shapely hand with sparkling eyes and kissed it.
 "Oh, how silly, but delightful " chlr- ruped Ruby, flushing again.
 A new interest in life seemed to have been born in her since the pre- yious afternoon. She was one of the party of agreeable young people who had comprised picnic party. She had been the special invited guest of Dorothy Bell, but before the day was over the brother of that young lady, Aylmer Bell had appropriated her completely and accompanied her clear to the door of her home.
 Ruby's eyes glistened as she recalled that delicious half-hour lingering at
 
 She had known the Bells only since they had taken the next house month previous. Aylmer had arrived from college only week since, but had eyes for Ruby only among the town belles. His attentions flattered, and then at tracted her. Certainly he was hand some, courteous, bright-spirited young ha ment and the sure dawning of first love.
 Ruby had noticed that her escort wore a ring of peculiar pattern bearing several cabalstic Si gns set in mosaic across a seal surface, and Aylmer had recited quite a story appertaining to its origin and history.
 "A student from India gave it to me-" he told Ruby. "We got quite chummy. It's sort of magic wishing ring in his country, he told me. I've made my wish. Suppose you wear it for spell? Maybe you have some special wish. Try it. And both laugh ed gleesomely, but Ruby with a thrill as she met those expressive eyes of pANt>''>N he was to have her accept the romantic token proffered.
 Aylmers sister had phOned the eve | ming previous. "BrOther and 1 are planning something grand in the way | of social entertainment" she told Ruby.
 Alas! for ideals of human felicity | r,l,o Doll r,Ioco occuniod aytonSiyo gar. | den space, and thus was accessible by gateways on three sides. Ruby tra. | versed a graveled path, crossed a ten his court and came to a sudden halt. Her gaze was transfixed. little | distance ahead was a garden bench Seated upon it was very lovely wOm- an. By her side was an open book her lips moved as though she was read, ing from it. At her feet, in the atti tude of some devoted cavalier, was Aylmer Bell.
 He held one hand of the strange lady and seemed pleading to her in | tumultuous emotion. She drew close tC him and he pressed a kiss upon hel | cheek.
 Her face atlame, her soul aroused tc deep anlazement and disappointment Ruby turned. Her eyes flashed as she removed the ring he had given her flung it across grass plat, and re traced her way homeward to seel her room sobbing and in tears. It was an hour later when her sister ran uI the stairs.
 "Oh! Ruby, dear," she announced Miss Bell is here and wishes to se' you"
 Ruby repressed her wretchednes: and went downstairs to find Aylmer': sister on the porch, her automobile at the curb.
 "I can finger only a moment" sh' spoke "Why did you not come Aylmer waited and Mrs. Estes, too She is our sister-in-law, you know and we are to give a little play a our next entertainment with you ant Aylmrr as hero and heroine. Sh wants to coach you on your part Aylmcr has been in training all thu morning. Shall we say five for thu first rehearsal?"
 "If you please" replied Ruby meek ly, and as her visitor left, a new re lieved and happy light came into he eyes. She discovered her error nov regarding the garden scene. Sh tripped along joyously as she neare' the place a few hours later. As be fore she entered the garden.
 .uI'bo rinU-I must recover if l' Sh breathed eagerly, and she was dowl on her knees upon the little gras plat where she had cast it away. cry of gladness escaped her lips a she came across it. She pressed it t. her lips, started and looked up.
 "Why, Miss Dale, looking for some thing" questioned Aylmer Bell, queer wrinkle about the lips.
 "I-I lost your ring" stammere' Ruby. "hut have found it." ant paused. blushing crimson.
 He drew nearer to her. Well wa he aware of her caprice of a fev hours previous The situation, tha sweet embarrassed face won bot pity and love- He took her hands il his own.
 q hope soon to replace the rin with anOther," he said tenderly "FIave you wished yet? When you dc let me hope it will be in accordanc with my own wiSh-that still anOthe ring will be acceptable. later on.'
 And Ruby. understanding him, dit not take her hand away from that lo'