Oooo exciting new twist to the story. Yes, it is short once again. The mystery of the ruby is revealed. **************************************************************************** ***********

The next day started out worse than the first. My hand still ached horribly, so I couldn't do much labor. So Belinda sent me out to the shops again. I saw the list and had to crush a cry. There on the list was another order at Sewing and Fabrics. I nearly went back to Belinda and asked her to change my task. But then I would have to explain why I didn't want to go, and after her threat, I had no desire to do so. So I made my way grudgingly down the streets. In my pocket were the coins Ethan had given me, providing me with some spending power. But my thoughts weren't on what I could buy. How had I been so stupid yesterday? Of course the sour-faced woman would be suspicious of the ruby. I really was lucky that she didn't call the guards or something. The only problem today was how I was going to face her.

I went to all the other stores first, delaying my going in there as long as possible, as if a few more seconds would make her forget what had happened. But soon there was no avoiding it. Slowly I walked up the steps and opened the door to Sewing and Fabrics. I screamed inwardly as I saw who was at the counter- the pickle lady once again. I walked up to the counter, eyes downcast, and gave her my order. She eyed me knowingly and went to get the things on the list. I kept my eyes on the floor. I couldn't bring myself to look at the beautiful dress. The dress that I almost had owned, but would never have in real life. If I looked at it, I would know my life with Ethan would never be, that Belinda's words were painfully true. Finally the order was ready. I paid the bill and turned to leave.

I was at the door when I heard a "You there" coming from behind me. Turning, I saw the sour lady holding up the dress of my dreams. I had thought that the blue one was gorgeous, but I was wrong. This one was in a bright rose red, even more lovely than the blue. I wondered why the storekeeper was torturing me so- showing me this gorgeous work of art that I could never own- when I saw the bright yellow stain that ran down the front. I just stood there, numb, listening to the clerk. "This was a special order for someone, but they decided that they didn't want it. Then on top of it my assistant spilled turpentine all over the skirt of it. I was going to throw it out, but I figured you might want it. Heaven knows what a wench like you could do with something like this but." she trailed off. It took me a few seconds to realize that this was the closest to her saying that the dress was mine. I wanted to run up to it, wanted to try it on now, but something held me back. A question in my mind.

"Why?" I asked. "Why are you giving this to me?" The pickle lady squirmed. "I.ah.. I took that ruby in to the jewelers yesterday. It seems that he had dropped one just like that sometime yesterday morning. He wishes for you to visit the jewelry store on your way out of town." I just stood there, blinking. So she had been wrong about me and she knew it. This was her way of trying to make it up to me. But how could I be sure that she wouldn't call guards on me after I left? And what about that stain? The pickle lady shifted uncomfortably, waiting. I walked up and took the dress from her, feeling the soft silk-like fabric. I am sure the pickle lady wanted me to get out of the store right then, but I wasn't about to let her off that easily. "How much is it for a bolt of the red cloth, a satchel of needles, and a spool of red thread?" I asked. She just looked at me like I was crazy. "Much more than you have I am sure." She managed to gasp out. Fishing into my pocket, I took out a gold coin and plopped it onto the counter. "Think you can handle it?" I almost added wench, but I remembered who I was talking to. The pickle lady's mouth just snapped shut, then opened again, like a fish. Finally she stumbled over to the shelves and gave me my order. Taking the coin gingerly between her fingers, she said "Will that be all?" in a quivering voice. I almost laughed aloud. Her treating me like a customer! "That is it. Thank you." I said primly, as I flounced out the door, my treasures in hand.

Once outside of the store and a block away, I did a happy dance and yelled at the top of my lungs. People in the street gave me quite a few odd looks, but I didn't care. I was going to the ball! I could actually go to the ball and meet Ethan! I did a couple more skips, then I headed for the jewelers. Timidly I opened the door and stepped in. I didn't know what to expect after my encounter with the pickle faced female. As I entered, I was greeted by a plump man who was bald and rather old, with a few missing teeth. I knew I liked him instantly. "Hello there, is there something you need?" he asked kindly. Seeing no one else in the store, I made my way up to the counter. "The.the storekeeper over at Sewing and Fabrics said you wanted to see me. About the ruby I found." He smiled. "Ah yes, she also said that you were trying to buy, what was it? A dress with it. Why would you need such an expensive dress? This wouldn't have anything to do with the upcoming ball now would it?" He eyed me curiously.

I didn't know what to say. He seemed so trust-worthy, but I wasn't sure. I just ended up blurting out the whole story, from the prince's visit to the dress today changing only the names around. He listened intently, never interrupting, only nodding at times. When I was done, he sat back, silent. Finally in a quiet voice, he spoke. "I must say that you are very courageous to be going to a ball. I hope that you won't get caught. Do you know that penalty is if you do?" I nodded. Death in the most unpleasant forms. The man studied me. Suddenly he clapped his hands. "All right then, if you are going to a royal ball, you must have royal jewelry." Pulling out a wooden box, he handed it to me. I opened it and gasped. Jewels of all sorts- diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and many more that I couldn't name. All seemed to be cracked in some way, but they were still gorgeous. What did this mean? "Why...why are you showing these to me? Surely you don't mean." I trailed off as the storekeeper chuckled warmly. "These gems are practically worthless because of the mistakes I made in them. Yes I do mean for you to have a few. It's just my way of saying thank you for finding that ruby. It is an engagement present for one of the prince's guards. Ethan I believe his name is."

I looked up startled. "What did you say his name was?" I gasped. The man looked confused. "Ethan I believe. But I never was good with names. Why?" "Oh no reason." I said. My thought swam around. Ethan, engaged? Of course this man could be wrong, but if he wasn't? I stood there numbly as the jeweler took out different gems and decided what to use. "I think red will go with your dress." He said slyly. Looking down, I realize that I had no way of concealing these things from Madame, or Belinda, or anyone. I started to panic, but fortunately the jeweler pulled out a canvas bag. "Here, you can use this. I think Garnets for your ears, and we'll use these four rubies in a tiara." Then he was off, setting them in pieces of gold he claimed he couldn't use for paying customers, polishing the stones, and what not. I woke out of my daze enough to ask him if he could make me a glass pendant in the shape of a rose. He consented, but refused to let me pay. Finally all of the jewelry was done. "Thank you ever so much." I said groggily. The jeweler grinned and clapped me on the shoulder. "I hope you have a good time at the ball and achieve your goals." I nodded and left the store. I now had a new goal in mind. I must find out if Ethan was in fact engaged, and if he was, why did he love me?