The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-01-27

walked Arthur Gurney. 1 did not
recognize him at first, for had seen
him but once before, and that was at
a large party besides, my eyes were
dim with writing. But when he came
to the light, I remembered his face,
and shook him by the hand.
az see you are at work." he said
" If am de trop, say so frankly, and
I'll be off at once"
"Don't' replied; " 1 can spare an
hour or two as well as not"
lie seated himself in my-aFIn chair,
andeast Aisjeyes around, ,the-ehamber,
1 could not tell whether he was taking
a mental inventory of my worldly
goods and possessions, or whether he
was collecting his thoughts before
seonnleneiflg conEecsatiena looked
at him intently for few minutes, ]
know not why, but I felt strange
fascination drawing me toward him.
There was a subtle communication
a mesmeric telegraph. as it were, be-
tween US. His soul flashed messages
to mine-IhSsterions messages inty-
pher, which received and read, but
could not understand. Had he been
q Woman instead of a man, l should
have understood his power over me.
His face was pale and delicately cut ;
his eyes were large and black, There
was something Spanish in his appear
ance, but no Spaniard could have been
so fair. A sentimental young lady
would have called him romantic look
ing; Bu6 lie W6hld haRe scorned that
cheap distinction. He was a gentle
man, noble gentleman in grief.
"IWell,"", said he, have you finished
staring at me p 1 was not aware that
he had noticed me, he appeared 0b
oblivious of my presence.
81 beg your pardon, but l could not
help it. But pray, Mr.. Gurney-I am
sure you will not think me rude-to
what am indebted for the honor of
this visit?"
"Like you I could not help it. 1
sat alone in my room thinkingoo Of
many things, when suddenly you came
into my mind, and thought / ought
to come and see you. 1t seemed to
me you could do something for me,
or for you, know not which. Can
you help me?" ~
"But what is the matter with you
you appear well, and well to do-one
ofthe sleek darlings of the w orld, as
Evelyn says in '' Money I will give
you advice, ifyou insist upon il, which
l take to be q pretty good proof of
friendship. I will even write you an
taoresticsifTypu think your lady love
can be won by poetry. In short l
will do almost anything but lend you
money that cannot do. But that, l
fancy. is the last thing that you would
expect from me. rie.ias 3,sss-yE7
He shook. his head, I. .Have you
anything 70 drink s7- The suddenness
of the question made me smilep in
spite of my ny Sell. lff1oor
What will You have. Monsieur
Gurneyi?e Chateau fMargean og Yer;
zepey ?-Bqt, perhaps you weul8 like
some Hungafian Wine, or bottleSol
Johannisberg?'" ays,1 -.
Whatever you have, sir; whstegef
you .1aYf;. laYYff 1Ha d0Ha ->e,
/ remembered that / had bottle,o
sehpapps in the the neg next room, and 5Hpsss
to get it. 1 passed out into the -haA
and grpped my way. along tile entity
until t reached the door that led into
the sick chamber. There was a candle
burning in the corner when l entered
but was shaded, so seffectually hat
had to light match. The flask fol
(which 1 came was in 2 little cabinet
at the head Of the bed, I moved on tir
toe to the bedside, and bent my Nface
close down to that of the child.
could not see him distinctly, but / fell
! his short qafckbreath ; 1t was like the
blast of a furnace. touched his hafit
he was consumed with fever. 49.Heis
no better, sir" the nurse whispered
"but he is sleeping soqndly, and so ii
his mother, she is worn out" Turn
ing my eyeseirlfhe direction of TIL
lounge, l saw my wife stretched upor
it,. IL stole softly toward her, ans
kissed her forehead. She moved hel
lips, but no soundT came; she wa
breathing in sleep silent prayer foI
her darling. d8d9KIL .bJU.
| When I re-entered my chamber nay
heart was sad, and so, seemingly, wa
that of Arthur Gurney, for his fac
was buried III his hands.
He reused himself with an effort
and, taking cigar case from his pock
ct, offered me cigar. placed TIN
bottle and glasses on the table, ant
proceeded to twist paperrlishtel
but he anticipated me with the blanl
side Of Q letter, which noticed IVA
edged with black. AS he bent for
ward to light it at the leader Whic
hung between US, saw large rim
on his fnger-an engraved seal rims
with curious setting. saih10i'
"That is a strange ring Of yours
, Mr.. Gurney." 1 observed, after w
had lighted our cigars, "may I loo
!. at it?" 79ihrl'' %
"Certainly," and he handedaitst a
2 me. ..il2s u
| 1t was e jasper signet of large siz'
The stone was remarkably fneysan
l apparently clear, but on scanning :.
s closely saw that it was flecked wit
9 red spots. They wereismall and din
e except where the stone had been aei
n graved there they were larger an
y brighter. 1t was as if the stone ha
2 been inserted in q bloody foil.-whiC