Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-22
THE LOST RING;
lN On, WW ~
PERCY HALFoRD's DESTINY.
BY MABEL 4. LANSING.

vety lawn, dotted with evergreens,
stretching down to the purling brook
that wound its course so near the stately
dwelling. The house was, at the time
our story opens, filled with guests.
Harry Grey was home from college, and
his beautiful cousin, Maud st. Lisle-
who had, the past winter, been the
reigning metropolitan bell-was there,
and her merry laugh rang through the
broad halls, and her light step was heard
tripping over the open verandah.
Judge Grey was a pleasant, social
man, free from all affectation or ostenta-
tion. True merit was worth more to
him than mere worldly possession, and
when Percy Halford first came to Mayton
and opened his little law office, Judge
Grey had extended to him more than
cordial invitation to visit his house often.
But Percy Halford was proud, poor, and
gifted. He had his way to make in the
world, and he could not afford to indulge
in the pleasures of society until he had
earned for himself a position among
men, and he had politely, but decidedly,
refused all invitations to mingle in the
society of the village
When Maud st. Lisle first came to
Mayton, she returned from a visit with
her cousin one day, and made many in
quiries concerning Percy Halford, whom
she had seen in the village. She re-
marked to her uncle
"A finer looking man | never saw.
He has the head and forehead of a
statesman. Do, Uncle, invite him to
call "
Yes" replied Judge Grey, " he is
gifted man, and one destined to make
his mark; but there's no use asking him
to call, he is such recluse that he will
accept no invitations. l have urged
him again and again, without avail.
However, I'll make another attempt"
And so he did Again he invited
Percy Halford to partake of the hospi-
talities of his house.
For weeks Percy had seen the bright,
intellectual face of Maud st. Lisle, as
she drove or rode through the village,
and he could not help admiring the we'll
turned, faultless figure, the well-posed
head, and the taste, the exquisite taste,
she always displayed in dress, and more
than once he felt inclined to break his
resolution, and accept the invitation so
cordially extended him by Judge Grey
to call.
For what man could day after day,
meet such lovely woman as Maud St.
Lisle, and feel no desire to make her
acquaintance?
1t was pleasant afternoon in June
Percy had turned the key in his Office
door, and sauntered off toward the green
old woods for a stroll. He was leisurely
returning toward the village, when
lady and gentleman on horseback rode
swiftly past them. Twas Maud st. Lsle
and her cousin Harry. He gazed ad-
miringly upon the gracefully poised
figure of Maud, until turn in the wood
hid her from view, then he murmured
Beautiful, indeed; but oh, no doubt as
vain and heartless as fair-the pride and
pet of fashions halls, the idol of brain
less, foppish men, the envy of gay, but
terfly women of the world. No, no,
Percy Halford, do notallow yourself to
be caught in such net.' itn
Just then the suns rays fell upon some
thing in the road, which glistened with a
thousand rays He stopped and picked
from the dust small delicately wrought
diamond ring, simple band of gold with
one solitary gem in the setting. As he
gazed upon the costly bauble, he said to
himself
1t must belong to Miss St. Lisle, as
she is the only one in Mayton who wears
such costly gems" He turned it over
carefully, and saw engraved upon the
,n,;Jaa To Mad f-ov, NIo,o y ,ub;ob
confirmed his supposition as to its own
ership. II will send it over, he said,
as he continued his homeward walk, and
mused thoughtfully as he walked.
After Percy Halford finished his sup
per, he repaired to his room, and as
usual donned his dressinggow and slip
pers, preparatory to spending the even
ing with his books. In vain he endeav-
ored to confine his attentions to the task
before him, in vain he endeayored to
think of something besides the bright
eyes and graceful form Of Maud st. |
Lisle. AT length he threw his book from
him, impatientlY exclaiming-
I" / verify believe am bewitched, and |
by a ballroom belle at that but | will !
soon dispel this deluaon. | will return
To think, with Percy Halford, was to
act; and carefully making his toilet, he
was soon ushe-ed into Judge Greys
luxuriously fur 'ished parlors, to await
the appearance of the lady he had called
to see.
Maud st. Lisle was surprised and
pleased when the servant announced
that Mr.. Halford was in the parlor, and
wished to see her. As she entered the
parlor Percy arose.
Mr.. Halford, / am pleased to see
you. My uncle has repeatedly invited
you to call, / believe, and we had al
most despaired of seeing you. Pray be
seated
Thank you," said Percy, still stand
ing, / called, Miss st. Lisle, to return
to you treasure you lost this afternoon,
and which | was fortunate enough TO
find" And he handed her the ring
Tears filed Maud St. Lisle's eyes as she
took the ring from his hand
Mr.. Halford, / cannot tell you how
glad j am to recover this little bauble
1t was a gift from the aunt after whom ]
was named-a dying gift, which have
ever valued highly. When ] discovered
the loss, | sent Harry back to hunt for
it, but he returned unsuccessful, and
you have placed me under lifelong obi
cations TO you.
1t was Percy Halford' intention to re-
turn the ring, and then seek his little
room, but when he entered his chamber
the village clock struck the hour Of
eleven. Ii
Time passed on, and the acquaintance,
thus commenced, soon ripened into init
macy. There was so much that was
congenial in these beings. Maud could
so well appreciate and encourage the as I