The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-03


Philip observed that her face turned ghastly
with emotion as she spoke.
Thank yon; hope we shall be- he re-
piled, coldly; and Since that unhappy cpl
sode, he had never spoken to her but coldly.
'Gcorgina Livington possesses one great es-
scntial towards making herself and Others
bappy-truth.'
The preparations for the wedding went
briskly on. Lady Anneslcy would frst move
into another residence. No change had been
made since Sir Roberts death, but Sir Philip
must have his house to himself now. One
evening, Sir Philip was spending an hour
with DR.. Scott. A navy surgeon was also
thcrc-Dr. Blake, once their chum at Bar
tholomews; and Georgina was up stairs
with Mary Scott and her baby.
is smoking allowed hcre?' asked the sur
geon. glancing at the elegant cushion on
which he sat, where was displayed that beau.
tiful cushion painted by Maria Carr. I'm
half dead without my pipe'
Receiving assent he lighted 1t, and then
walked across the room to Sir Philip and the
doctor who stood at the window. There was
some disturbance in the street, and they all
three remained there chatting and looking
out.
Suddenly burst Of light shot up in the
twilight of the room, and they wheeled round
in CONSERVATION. a blaze wes ascending
from the velvet cushion. They caught up
the hearth rug and succeeded in putting out
the fire. Georgina Livington hearing tho
commotion, came in, with white face.
In lighting his pipe, Mr.. Blake must have
suffered spark to fall upon the cushion
There II had smouldered, penetrating, at
length, to the stufling, which then blazed up.
You remember that Il consisted Of paper.
oh, that lovely cushion' lamented Geor-
gina.
What's that p uttered DR.. Scott, picking
up something bright and glistening from the
ashes. IF l don't believe it's q ring'
A ring 1t was. The lost, the beautiful the
brilliant.keeper! The eyes Of Sir Philip
and Georgina met.
Maria was that same evening, sitting alone.
she and her breaking heart. 1t had felt like
breaking ever since that cloud fell upon It.
She heard Sir Philip come, and she began
gathering her work together.
Don't run away, Maria i have some
thing to tell you.'
She looked at him in wonderment. His
voice worc the same loving tone as in days
gone by; tone long past for her.
LEND mo your hand, Maria |" and with
out waiting for assent, he took 1t in his. tho
left hand. and slipped upon the third finger
AS he had done once before-the diamond.
keeper.
DO you recognize itT
1T is Mrs. Scott's = replied Maria. why
have you brought it here, Sir Philip
1T is not Mrs. Scott's: 1t is larger than
hers. Do not remove it, Maria. Itshall DO
your own keeper, IL you will let me add the
wedding.ring.'
Confused. bewildercd, wondering what 1t
mcant-wondering at the strangely loving
expression that cleaned on her from his dark
blue eyes, she burst into tears. Was he say.
ing 1t to mock her?
No! not to mock her. No! Sir Philip
wound his arms round her Ms he told the
tale; he drew her face to his breast, his
eyeiashcs glistening in the intensity Of his
emotions.
i can never let you go again, my darling!
do not ask your forgiveness; know that
You will give It to me unaskcd, for you and
I and have been alike miserable
Charley innocent been innocent all this
whiley she gasped.
lie has. in good truth! We must try
and make It up to him. T.
.Oh. Philip! she interrupted. with stream.
ing eyes; you will believe me now. did
give him the twenty pounds-I did. indeed
had saved II In so many triiles / had
made old gowns look like new ones; all for
him. You should not have doubted me, II
the rest did
My whole life shall atone to you, Maria,
he softly whispered. 'Georgina-'
She looked at him. her cheeks flushing
crimson. In moments bewilderment she
had totally forgotten his engagement to Geor.
gina. He laughed mcrrily, hiseyo' dancing.
and drew her back again.
Never fear that am about to turu Nor
mon and marry you both. Gcorgina has
given me up, Maria. In the excitement
caused by the discovery, she spoke her mind
out to me that she did not like me, with
all her trying. half as well as she did Char
ley Carr, and that none but Charley should
be her husband. Scott has gone to tell him
the news, and bring him up. IT,
what on earth Is this 2 calculated Lady
Anncslsy. as she came in and stood like one
petri6ed. :.
II. Is this replied Sir Philip, holding out
Maria's hand. on which shone the brilliant
keeper. This mischief.makins ring has
turdcd up again. When You held 1t that
day over the open boz. and M".' Annesley
called out. there can be no doubt that you.