The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-18

enough to go to the hotel ana Dack
again dozen times before we leave ---
Junction"
"I left the handkerchief on the table
by my plate, Bob, I think" she said, as
he turned to leave us "but 1 cannot
be positive. Imay have dropped it in
that little room where l washed my face
and hands or it may have fallen while
I was going from the hotel to the cars.
As long as you are going back, please to
look for it everywhere, for I do so hate
to lose it."
"Ill do my best" he said and bound
ing off the train, in moment was gone
II know you must think me very silly,
Mr.. Savage" she said, turning to me,
with a pretty little deprecating tone
and glance; "and very selfish, too, per-
haps, to give poor Bob so much trouble,
Just for handkerchief; but, indeed, 1
do value it so highly Your daughter,
perhaps, would feel just as badly if she
were to lose her most valued wedding
present"
"I have no doubt of it," 1 said. "I
assure you shall draw no uncharitable
conclusions from conduct and feelings
so natural. l remember that Hattie
seemed better pleased with some of her
more trifing presents than She did with
many that were of q far greater none
tary value"
"That was just the way felt" she
continued, eagerly" particularly about
the handkerchief. Cousin Lou was
poor, and in very delicate health; and
the little gift, which she had spent
many wearisome hours in preparing,
seemed to me more truly love-offering
than anything else that was given me
except, of course, Bob's present" she ad-
ded, quickly, a pretty blush suffusing
her ingenious face; che gave me a
cluster diamond pin. Wait will show
it to you;" and, after momentary fum-
bling at the collar of her Dress beneath
her mantle, she drew forth a small pin,
set with very pretty brilliants, which
she exhibited, eager as child, for ad-
miration of her treasure. els it not
prettyp L do like jewels SO much, par
ticularly diamonds. 1 noticed your
ring almost as soon as l saw you. 1t is
q real diamond, is it notf"
1t was diamond indeed-a solitaire
of first water-valued at seven hundred
dollars; and of which, old as l was, l
was almost as proud as little Fanny of
her pin. I had bought it of a friend
who, by unlucky speculations, had been
reduced from affluence to poverty; and,
at the time, had taken it rather to ac-
commodate him than because 1 cared
for the jewel; not having any immedi-
ate need for the money thus invested,
however, had been content to wear my
diamond until now. 1 should really
have disliked to part with it.
Amused by my companions ndioete,
held up my hand so that the light might
fall upon the stone. She gave little
cry of ecstacy:
| II never-never saw anything so
pretty! Would you mind letting me
look at it in my own hands? But, per-
haps," she added, coloring at her own
boldness-" perhaps you don't take it
off would not take my rings off for
the world one is my engagement-ring,
and the other my wedding-ring; Bob
gave me both"
laughed outright.
Excuse me, my dear young lady,
but it seems laughable enough to gray
bearded old fogy like myself, to hear
you gravely imagining any idea of SEN
timent could be attached to ring
wore. Examine it, if it pleases you;
have not the least objection to take it
Off"
handed her the ring, and she slipped
it on her own tiny forefnger, holding
her hand in various positions to view
the effect. AS she thus moved to and
fro, in raising her arm quickly, there
fell from beneath her mantle a small
white article, which she caught up with
an exclamation OF mingled annoyance
and delight. 1t was the missing hand
kerchief, which had been all the while
clinging somewhere about her person,
and had thus unexpectedly come to
light.
"Oh! how glad am to think it is not
lost" she cried; "but poor, dear Bob
what will he say when he finds what
fools errand have sent him on Dear
me, what pity! wonder whether l
could see him anywhere! 1 will lower
the window, and look out; if 1 wave my
handkerchief, and he can see it, he will
know what it means"
She made an attempt to lower the
window as she spoke, but, as is custom
ary with car-windows, it proved refrac-
tory, and leaned over her to assist her.
The window was very obstinate, and it
was some moments before succeeded in
lowering it. She leaned out when I
had done so, but nothing could lie seen
of Bob.
HE has not been able to find it," she
said, uneasily; "and he will look in
every likely and unlikely place for it,
question the servants and landlord, and
give himself no end of trouble. l can
not forgive myself for being SO needless.
Oh, dear wish could get out and go
after him. Do you think l could Z"
and she glanced with look of childlike
appeal at me. ....
"By no MEANS" / said rising, "you
are in my charge, you know, and /
could not think of allowing you to take
such step. I will go myself, if you do
not object to remaining here alone"
"Oh, I don't mind that at ALL" she
answered; "but cannot bear the idea
of putting you to SO much trouble"
saw, however, that, in spite of her
polite remonstrances, she was really very
anxious for me do as had offered so,
with nod and smile, 1 jumped out of
the car, and started off briskly in search
of Mr.. Fry. ... .-.....
did not meet him as had hoped l
should, nor could find him at the hotel,
though l looked through dining-room,
wash-room, and even the kitchen in
search of him; and after spending fifteen
or twenty minutes in thisfruitless search,
/ turned my steps again toward the car,