The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1860-12-27


tions in some confusion, turning
away her face. She has come to
see me in the hope of regaining a
ring, carelossly lost, the parting gift
of fond father to her brother and
herself.
My eye rests on the Grape about
her dress, on her pale, beautiful
face, from which the blush of con-
fusion and timidity has faded. De
fercntiafly Irequest her to describe
it.
"A large diamond, handsome
she believed, 'but valuable to her
for other reasons
But said gently, chased on
the gold inside the ring there is
a crest, l am aware of it, she
answered, sadly, 'but 7 know moth
ing Of heraldry, and have never
given it more than a casual glance.
My brother is dying, SIR she said,
lifting up her pale face to mine.
Only this morning he missed the
ring from my finger uncasily; we
are alone in this world; it is the
only relic left ofone S. lately taken
from US; how can l tell him it is
lost?
Il am sorry to pain YOU I said,
striving to be firm; but it would be
more satisfactory for all parties,and
cause but little delay, if you could
obtain the description from your
BROTHER
Without q word she turned
away; the mournful resignation of
her air and attitude touched me,
and, as she turned, l saw q tear
roll silently down and fall upon the
hand stretched out to the door han
die. | couldn't stand that.
Stop! exclaimed, one moment
l am surc-I feel certain--I may
trust you. You will tell me-
| take the ring from its security,
l hold it out timidly for the blue
eyes to examine.
/ see yet the delight overspread
her fine features-I see the expires.
sion Of almost childish pleasure in
her eyes as she looked mp at me
as she cIasped her hands and crie(
out, The ring, the ring. O! AL
fred, my deaf brother"
Her hand was upon it; such ;
trcmulous, happy eagcrness in hcr
glance; such a caressing fondness il
her way of lingering it. How prct.
ty she was!
MY dear child I am forty-five
1T gives me sincere pleasure
Then I stammer, then l spring at
ter her. AT least you will leave
your address with me-
What a look shades her face now.
Wounded integrity mingled with
pity for me.
'Ah! SIR she says sadly, handing
me the card on which she has been
penciling, some day you will be
sorry for this. You do not trust
me.
Certainly, I am a brute. The
accent of reproach in her voice
hauntS me the sorrowful glance in
her eyc-how pretty she is. l sit
down to my breakfast in the morn
ing, half inclined to call at the ad.
dress given, and apologize for my
heathenish distrust. How delight,
full to see her in her own peculiar
atmosphere, ministering to the sick
brother, who is all she had in the
world, to look upon if one can not
enjoy the world, to look upon il
one can not enjoy the beautiful ten
derness of a gentle sister to an
afflicted brother. But my letters
wait, and l toy with them. This is
q hand l know. What does Fred
want, | wonder? 1 tear it open.-
l read:
DEAR JAcK-What a queer
chance ifyou have stumbled upon
my ring. | was obliged to run
down to Romford late last evening,
and never missed it till we sluckcn-
ed at ilford. A pretty taking I've
been in. If it's mine, the crest is
inside you know it-a mailed hand
holding a lance, and the motto,
'Armcd at all points, Verify,
truth is stranger than felton,
Keep it for me.
Thine, FRED VYNING.'
Idiot. Gull! It's quite useless
to call myself names. 1t is almost
superAuous to add, that when
called at a certain address in Eaton
Square to inquire for Miss Lucy
Hamilton, the lady was not found.
Probably the deal Alfred had re-
quired speedy change of air; prob
ably brother and sister were even
now embracing in rapturous graft
tude over the precious relic Of that
one lost to them so lately. Was
that dear one not lost, but trans
formed? Had the silver-haired pat
riarch of the first visit changed to
the dashing buck of the third?
And was the virtuous teacher of
youth only the tender sister in mas
querade .? On my word, l believe
so. 1 dare not say they are enjoy
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