The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-01-04

anu W as tftiS StfI tle same
He closed the book. and looked at me
in silence This then was his mystery. /
endeavored to disapprove the statements
urged their reliability, referred him to
eXposltions OF similar tictions, and appeal
cd to his reason and Judgment but to no
purpose.
NO" SAID he, Il should be glad
enough to think with you, and accept
your views, but am not ordinarily super
stitious, or even susceptible, but look at
the chain OF circumstances here involved.
My father comes across that rare book al
together by accident. He buys it at an
extravagant price. He is not an anti
quarian or collector, and is, generally,
frugal man. The book is brought home
and within my reach. find this ring in
the only fish | catch during the dav, and
that when am returning home, without
expectation or intention on my part
have no knowledge that the article Is
Italian. l have never looked into the
book. Yet | am led to consult the one
with regard to the other, and find there
minute and particular description of the
object, and more than that, an awful in
tlmation OF the wearer's fate. Is all this
mere chance, and am | to regard it as
such? l cannot believe it So | am re-
qulred to recognize the force of such a
conjunction. am bound to accept the
description, and in doing this, | cannot
ignore the prediction | am a doomed
man, and my shadow walks ever with
me-"
Iauslng tor moment, he abruptly ask
ed, How can ever ask Edith Talfourd
n a ! II t,,1 /,
for years"
The overtasked system gave way, and
the poor fellow bowed his head and wept
like a child.
| won't say that was astonished. |
think had already arrived at a degree
OF amazement beyond which any further
attainment was physically impossible.
Even this last development failed to excite
the wonder which, under other crcum-
stances, it might have induced. | believe
was. more affected by its suggestiveness
than by its reality That A man, such a
knew lcisler to be, could be impeled
by a mere idealism to such a renunc;.tion
was simply nexplicable. Certainly no
words could do Justice to the subject, or
express the varied and conflicting emo
tions of my mind. 1t was Il clear case Of
monomania, and needed measures ! was
not able to apply.
During the winter | SAW Edith Tai
tourd occasionally, most frequently in her
fathers pew at Trinity. where | went on
Sunday afternoons. She was sweet
looking girl, rather petite. with golden
hair and blue eyes, and a wsttul express
sion upon her face as though there might
be something she sought and had not
gained. liked to watch her as she bent
over her prayer-book in all the sincerity
OF her pure and earnest heart, and ioincd
soft and sweetly in the intoned responses
Whether she ever suspected Lcisler's love
| did not know, though | was assured
tnat he had never revealed it in words
He had been frequent visitor at the little
house in Maiden Lane where her father still
lived and kept his opticians store, though
now for months he had never been near
the place. She could not but notice his
continued absence, though how it affected
her, with my limited opportunities could
hardly determine And so the bleak
winter passed by and the spring came,
and with it hoped for a change
1t was 4 lovely day in March, such as
that variable month sometimes developes
Us al tttlIitSl VI lliOSC 10 lOllOW Win no
harsh winds or chilling trosts to recall the
season that had past. Leisler had spent
the afternoon over his old book, and put
it down only to 60 over its contents mem
tally had began to notice evidences Of
failing health with an increased devotion
TO the pursuit of his idea His earnest
ness was such that i. had impressed me
to a certain extent with the reality of his
Snr,nncitiApc ,ubiln at tbo :.
forced me to the conclusion that the i'm
agination could be dispelled only through
one means. | was confident that if the
ownership of the article could be definite
ly established, and the conviction brought
home to his mind, he might be saved
And to this end | labored; but as vet to
no purpose. On this afternoon | urged
him to put away his book and come out
with me, a suggestion which to my sur
prise he proceeded to follow We walked
through the street slowly and silently till
we approached the little store of Mr.. Tai
fourd, when | remembered | needed a
thermometer, and took my friend in with
me. Edith was standing by the counter.
A slight color spread over her features as
she bowed to Leisler and myself Her
father was out, she stated, but she would
be happy to attend to our wants. ex-
pressed my desires, and while inspecting
the article entered on general conversa-
ton into which, with some effort. Leisler
was drawn As his hand rested on the
case, the ring came under Miss Talfourd's
observation.
MAY look at your ring, Mr.. Lesler N
she asked II believe it is considered
curiosity"
Excuse my taking it off" he answered
with some hesitation, as he extended his
hand
The simple interest on the face of the
one contrasted peculiarly with the morbid
excitement exhibited by the other The
scene was study for an artist. | stood
apart and waited result She looked
for moment and then asked:
"What is the inscription, Mr.. Leisler 2"
"Inscrption ?" he exclaimed.
why yes" said she, There is certain
ly an inscription there"
81 wish there might be-" he returned,
with gloomy incredulousness.
"But there is" she repeated, with evil
dent excitement. Cant you see it?"
indicating the scratches on the face of the
stone. "These marks are so regular that
there can be no doubt of it. Come to the
window, Mr.. Leisler, and look through
this microscope"
You look, Miss Talfourd; I cannot"
She fitted the microscope to her eye,
and bent over his hand After moment
she looked up, and saying, ut is not
sufficiently powerful" adjusted another
instrument
The strain was too severe for his over
tasked mind.
'Read it," he exclaimed, .'for Gods
sake read it, Edith, if you can"
The flush deepened on her face as she
looked. She simply said:
81 can read it. Mr.. Leisler''
"Read it," he answered, as the work
ing of his face indicated his suppressed
excitement.
at is quotation" she said, "from the
Song Of Solomon, and written in the origi-
nal Hebrew. 1t reads: Il will seek him
whom my soul loveth' Mr.. Leisler,"
she added, Il can tell you the story of
that ring. 1t is as remarkable, as it is
true"
$50 on" he said, as he grasped the
countar and awaited her recital Won