Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-07-09
a circle of subdued light on hesps Of

CiICit VI SuOuueu ilSnL on heaps o.
disordered papers.
Halloo-what's this |? y he said
half alond, taking up q tinny note
that lay lightly on the top. This q
new arrival in my chaos Of documents,
or I'm mistaken"
The direction, "Captain Verner,'
was in q strange handwriting-nor
did the contents afford any clew
Nothing appeared further than q flfty
dollar note wrapped in a bit of paper
on which was penciled these words =
|" For the Soldiers I"
"Clara Delford again 1" was Yer
ner's first exclamation. "What a
splendid creature that is
| The next glance, however, discover
ed new grounds of conjecture and per-
plexity--he held the note In the full
glare of the lamp. turning it eagerly
from side to side.
II thought couldn't be mistaken y
he muttered 1T is the very note
paid at Atkinson's to-night--here are
my initials, "E. w." in the corner.
Now, how on earth"
He paused apparently in a deep
thought.
VERY provoking that I can't find
out tonight" he murmered but I'll
60 to Atkinson's the first thing in the
morning I"
The early dew was yet weighing
down the half-blown roses in the sim.
pie town garden. when Captain Ver-
ner entered the jewelry store where
he had purchased the set of onyx for
his mother.
What can I do for you this morn
ing. Captain I" inquired the brisk lit
tie jeweler, as he came forward, rub
bing his smooth, white hands.
A great deal. Mr.. Atkinson you
can tell me to whom you paid out
this Treasury Note last night |"
He layed the mysterious green
back" on the glass counter; Atkin-
son took it up and scrutinized it close
ly, then referred to his books.
Certainly | car" said he "I pur-
chased very beautiful pearl ring from
lady yesterday evening, and paid
for it with that very identical bill"
a pearl ring the simple words
seemed to throw him off the scent
again. The jeweler unlocked his
showcase, and took out a small vio-
let-velvet case, lined with white silk,
in which glimmered a pearl of sur
passing beauty, set in plain gold
circlet.
There it is," he said. "Ten years
ago sent to New York for that very
ring, ordered by DR.. Moore as birth
day gift for his little daughter, then
just twelve years DID,"
DR.. Moore I" repeated Werner.
eyes. Times are sadly changed
now, yet l did not suppose that Miss
Mildred would ever have been indu-
ced to part with that favorite jewel
the only relic, may venture to say,
she has ever retained of weather.
days."
Captain Werner looked down at
the ring through strange, unwonted
mist. How different was the silent
sacrifice of sweet memories and old
associations to Clara Delford's osten.
tatious gift from her overflowing cof
fers /! "Silver and gold have | none
but such as have l give thee" The
words came to him like q revelation
of Mildred Moore's nature.
Only nine o'clock, but not too early
for Mildred Moore to be watering her
sweet peas and geraniums in the cot
tage garden. Nay. SO busy was she
with a tiny pink blossom which had
broken from its fastening, that she
never heard approaching footsteps
until Captain Verner's shadow fell
across the flower border. Then she
started up, with large, dilated eyes,
like those of frightened fawn, and
carbine burning in her usually color
less cheeks.
"Captain Werner I"
"Do not be startled, Miss Mildred, "
he said, with gentle, re-assuring ac-
cents. II have only called to thank
you for your kind donation to the
sick soldiers"
She cIasped her hands over her
flushed face, like child detected in
some fault.
II beg your pardon I did not
think-I never intended-'
"Nay," he interrupted, earnestly,
:" have learned the history Of the
ring. Your sacrifice is not unappre-
ciated, and"
He stopped, for she had burst into
convulsive sobs and tears. 1t was
entirely new phase Of her being.
Captain Werner stood completely con-
founded. Had he known her all these
months and yet remained ignorant Of
the passionate depth and emotion of
her character? She was there before
him no longer the fair. passionless
statue, but lovely woman, made
lovelier still by tears ! The citadel
of his heart-undermined long ago,
unconscionsly to himself--surrcndered
at this last attack. And who could
blame him !?
Don't, Mildred "he said, cares
singly. "My dearest girl, if you
knew how it grieved me to see you
weep"
"Pardon me-" she faltered I; "I am
ashamed Of being 30 foolish, but it
was all had to give I"
Mildred" he whispered. opening
the violet velvet casket, II have
brought back the ring win you nc
cept it again ~
She looked at him with startled
eyes and glowing cheeks. a. If some
deep meaning lay hidden in his
words.
"Let me place IL on your finger,
love. Wear it - On engagement
ring" He went on -" Oh Mildred.
/ never knew till now how dear you
were to me I Will you trust your fn-
turc to me viii you bs my cherished.
treasured wife Z"
What Mildred's answer WAS 10 not
1t oil to the purpose--only Mrs. Grun-
H. <hsuka II vnrv nkraNrr 0thNt Miss