The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-10-15

dewy and sultry, and the stars blazing
in the violet ooncave of heaven-yet
Captain Werner sill sat in his balcony,
idly looking ont uponthe summer night,
with the fragrance Of his segar
wreathed about him. Was he think.
ing about Clara Delford' or
"Halfpast eleven-high time I was
asleep soliquized the Captain, at
length, giving his segar toss into the
quiet street below, and entering the
room where a shaded lamp .casta cir
Gle of subdued light on heaps Of dis
ordered papers. .sa,uas .,il ,sgr67
aHallo-what's this ?" he said, half
aloud, taking up tiny note that lay
lightly on the top, s'This is a new ar
rival in my chaos of documents, or Tn
mistaken"
The direction, "Captain Werner"
was in a strange handwriting -nor did
the contents afford any clew. Nothing
appeared further than fifty dollar note
wrapped in a bit of paper on which
was penciled these words: "For the
soldiers"
"Clara Delford again p was Verner's
first exclamation. "What splendid
creature that is 70 .....
| 4. : .
The next glance, however discoy-
cred new ground of conjecture and
perplexity-he held the note in the
full glare of the lamp, turning it eager
ly from side to side. ~. ,.,..-..
81 thought 1 couldn't be mistaken"
be muttered::;; cit IS the note l paid at
Atkinson to-night-here are my ini-
tials, e. " in the corner. Now how
on earth"
He paused, apparently in deep
thought. sa. , -,,..f
every provoking that + can't find
out tonight" he murmured; 'fbut I'll
go to Atkinson's the first thing in the
= 3 *. f8- t.i. -
morning." .-..s -; ......- I'D.
The early dew was yet weighing
down the half blown roses in the sim
pie garden, when Captain Werner en-
tered the jewelry store where he had
purchased the set of onyx for his
mother. ,r s
"What can ] do for you this morn
ing, Captain ?" inquired the brisk little
jeweler, as be came forward, rubbing
his smooth white hands. 4tT !.
ga great deal, Mr.. Atkinson; you
can tell me to whom you paid out this
Treasury note last night"
He laid the mysterious "greenback"
on the glass counter; Atkinson took it
up and serutinized it, closely, then re-
ferred to his books. o., a.. l,os,e b,e
Certainly / can,"' he said 81 pur-
chased 2 very beautiful pearl ring from
lady yesterday evening, and paid for
it with that very identical bill"
A pearl ringl- simple words
seemed to throw him off the scent
again. The jeweler unlocked the show
case, lined with white silk in which
glimered a peal Of surprising beauty,
set in q plain geld oirclet. a,,a,,...,
"There it is" he said. ssTen years
ago l sent to New York for that very
ring, ordered by DR.. Moore as birth
day gift for his little daughter, then
just twelve years old" .i,f,.....
"Dr. Moore ?" repeated Werner.
Yes. Times are sadly changed now,
yet I did net suppose that Miss Mild
red would ever have been induced TO
part with that favorite jewel-the only
relic, 1 may venture TO say, she has
ever retained of her wealthier days."
Captain Werner looked down at the
ring through strange, unwonted mist.
How different was this silent sacrifice
Of sweet memories and old associations
to Clara .Delford's estentatieus gift
from her everfewing eoffersl "Silver
and geld have haQne; but suoh as i
have I give sfee.n. The words came
to him like a rsvelasion of. Mildred
Moore's nature.
Only nine O'Clock, but not too early
for Mildred Moore to be watching her
sweet peas and geraneums in the cot
tage garden. Nay, SO busy was she
with tiny pink blossom which had
broken from its fastening, that she new
er heard approaching footsteps until
Captain Verner's shadow fell across
the flower border. Then she started
up, with large, dilated eyes, like those
of a frightened fawn, and earmine
burning in her usually eolorless cheeks.
"Captain Werner p ,Ieor. ssi.l
"Do not be startled, Miss Mildred" "
he said, with gentle, reassuring accents
ssI have only called to thank you fol
your kind donation to the sick soldiers. y