New Ulm review., 1921-02-02
Lost and
Found
e>0
By WALTER J. DELANEY
Copyright. 1919, by the Western News
paper Union.}

present. WITH huDy l)ale as she. CEOSSSu
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! !" CHR
ruped Ruby, flushing again.
A new interest in life seemed to
have been born in her since the pre-
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,
Aylmers Bell had appropriated her
completely and accompanied her clear
to the door of her home.
Ruby's eyes :gHstened 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 week since, but had eyes
for Ruby only among the town bellies.
His attentions flattered, 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 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 a sort of magic wishing
ring in his country, he told me. I've
made my wish. Suppose you wear it
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
he was to have her accept the romantic
token prOffered.
Aylmers sister had phoned the eve
ming pre- Tious. Brother and I are
planning something grand in the way
of a social entertainment" she told
Ruby.
Alas for ideals of human felicity,
The Bell place occupied extensive gar
den space, and thus~was accessible by
gateWays on three sides. Ruby ira
versed graveled path, crossed a-ten-
mis- court and came to sudden halt.
Her gaze was transfxed A little
distance ahead was garden bench.
Seated upon it was 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 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 to
him and he pressed 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 a grass plat, and re-
traced her way homeWard to seek
her room sobbing and in tears It was
an hour later when her sister ran up
the stairs.
ooh! 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.
u can linger only a moment" she
spoke. "Why did you not come?
Aylmer waited and Mrs. Estes, too.
She is our sister-n-law, you know,
and we are to give a 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?"
"lf you please" replied Ruby meek
ly, and as her visitor left, a 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 a few hours later. AS be-
fore she entered the garden.
'"Ihe ring-I must recover it," she
breathed eagerly and she was dowE
on 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 t.
her lips started and looked up.
'Why, Miss Dale, looking for some
thing" questioned Aylmer Bell, a
queer wrinkle about the lips.
"'I-I lost your ring" stammereo
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.
II hope soon to replace the ring
with another he said tenderly.
. z