The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-01-22
Lost and
Found
BY WALTER J. DELANEY
Copyright, 1919, by the Western News
paper UniOn)

There was the swing and the smile
Of unrestrained sheer joy of living
present with Ruby Dale as she crossed
q vacant space to the house of the
nearest neighbor.
"Nearest-and dearestr' 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 |" CHR
ruped Ruby, flushing again.
A new interest in life seemed to
vious 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
the gate in the clear white moonlight.
She had known the Bells only since
they had taken the next house month
previous. Aylmer had arrived from
college only a week since, but had eyes
for Ruby only among the town bellies.
His attentions fiattered, and then at
tracted her. Certainly he was hand
some, courteous, bright-spirited young
man. She was radiant with excite
ment and the sure dawning of first
love.
Ruby had noticed that her escort
wore ring of peculiar pattern bearing
several cabalistic signs set in mosaic
across q seal surface, and Aylmer had
recited quite story appertaining to
its origin and history.
"a student from India gave 1t to
me-" he told Ruby. 'sWe got quite
chummy. It's sort Of magic wishing
made my wish. Suppose you wear 1t
for a 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
Aylmer, plainly revealing how pleased
token proffered.
Aylmer's sister had phoned the eve-
ming previous. Brother and l are
planning something grand In the way
of social entertainment" she told
Ruby.
90 1c nf
The Bell place occupied extensive gar
den space, and thus was accessible by
gateways on three sides. Ruby ira
versed graveled pain, crossed ten
mis- court and came to a sudden halt.
Her gaze was transfixed. A little
distance ahead was garden bench.
Seated upon it was a very lovely wom-
an. BY her side was an open book
upon which her glance was fixed and
her lips moved as though she was read
ing from 1t. 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 to
| him and he pressed a kiss upon her
| cheek.
| Her face afiame, her soul aroused to
deep amazement 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 seek
| her room sobbIng and in tears. 1t was
an hour later when her sister ran up
| the stairs.
"Oh Ruby, DEAR" she announced,
Miss Bell is here and wishes to see
you"
Ruby repressed her wretchedness
and went downstairs to find Aylmer's
sister on the porch, her automobile
at the curb.
81 can linger only moment" she
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 little play at
our next entertainment with you and
| Aylmer as hero and heroine. She
wants to coach you on your part.
| Aylmer has been in training all the
morning. Shall we say five for the
| first rehearsal?"
IF you please" replied Ruby meek
| ly, and as her visitor left, new re-
lieved and happy light came into her
eyes She discovered her error now
regarding the garden scene. She
tripped along joyously as she neared
the place few hours later. AS be-
fore she entered the garden.
"The ring-I must recover It'll" she
| breathed eagerly, and she was down
Cd her knees upon the little grass
| plat where she had cast it away. A
cry of gladness escaped her lips as
she came across it. She pressed it to
her lips, started and looked up.
"Why, Miss Dale, looking for some
thing" questioned Aylmer Bell, a
queer wrinkle about the lips.
Ell lost your ring" stammered
| Ruby, ''but / have found it." and
! paused, blushing crimson.
He drew nearer to her. Well was
he aware of her caprice of a few
hours previous. The situation, that
sweet embarrassed face won both
pity and love. He took her hands in
his own.
81 hope soon to replace the ring
| \ TOM rrlx