Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-12-12

and 1 come honestly by my belief il
the supernatural. And now 1 want yor
to do me favor. My mother used tt
tell me that when 1 had any ungratified
desire could wish for its qualification
and get my wish by the aid of my opal
ring. In order to do this, must wish
the ring on some lady's hand, and she
must not tell soul who placed it there
and must not tell her, even my wish
But will say this, my wish is good
one concerning only myself, and if it is
granted will make me very very happy
Now, please permit me to try the charm
ON your finger. 1t is said to be all the
stronger if the lady wears no other
ring. You, see, wear no ring. Now,
let me wish my opal on your hand for
one week, and so obtain the thing I de-
sire? 1t seems foolish to you, know
but tried it once, with this very ring,
on friends hand, and my wish came
true. Now, please, humor my whim.'
Laughingly, Lulu Raynor held out her
slender, unringed hand. eyes, I will
humor your whim, and be silent as the
grave, and let the charm work if it will.
No, do not wear rings, simply because
1 cannot afford good ones, and abhor
cheap jewelry. This ring is beauty,
and, think, very becoming to my hand.
l am afraid | shall be unwilling to give
it up when the week is past. There now,
how it glows! Oh, kind watches and
sprites of the air, 1 beseech you conspire
together and grant this young woman's
wish, at the same time grant my wish,
which is that l may possess ring of
my own like unto this one."
So happy, laughing, light-hearted
Lulu Raynor chatted and ratified away,
unsuspecting as she was mirthful. Full
of life and spirits, she delighted in mis-
chievous frolics, and this wishing ring
seemed to her a capital joke. How it
would mystify her friends.
She went down to dinner radiant and
sparkling. Her seat was just across
the table from Carl Webster. The light
came through the window and fell in a
blaze upon her opal ring, streaking her
white hand with blood-red shadows.
His eyes were riveted upon it for one
moment; then he pushed his plate,
his dinner untasted, and rising hastily
begged to be excused, as sudden in
disposition had seized him. The host
ess and the guests looked after him in
surprise. What could have come over
the composed, dignified Carl Webster?
He went to his room and did not come
down till just at sunset. Then lie car
ried his satchel in his hand. "Mrs.
Wilson," he said to the hostess at whose
hospitable mansion he had spent four
weeks, 81 am going home. 1 suddenly
discover that it will be impossible for
me to remain here longer. L thank you
for your many kindnesses and for the
enjoyment 1 have had under your roof.
Please give my gOod-byes to the guests,
as L must hasten to catch the evening
train"
Mrs. Wilson had not time to collect
her scattered wits before he was off,
striding down the road to the village.
Great was the CONSERVATION among
the guests that evening when Carl Web
ster's departure was announced:
Sooner" cried Senator Delaplaine, who
had ridden over from his residence to
spend the evening, as usual, at Mrs.
Wilson's. "WLy which of these ladies
has driven him off? Miss Helen, is this
your cruel work? l saw you talking
very earnestly with him yesterday"
Miss Helen laughed and looked con-
scious. "No," she said, 81 did not drive
him away. 1 knew that he was going,
however. He told me yesterday that he
must go home to-day"
"Ah! l think understand the state
of affairs" responded the senator dry
ly, while the hostess said, Naughty
Helen, to steal march upon us so;
and the guests looked wise and Helen
blushed and ran away out of the room.
But once alone, she bit her lips to keep
from screaming outright with rage and
indignation. "Well, my plans worked"
she thought, "and Lulu Raynor has lost
him. But what better off am L? He
has gone without one word; but then l
must make it in my way to visit my old
friend Nora Bailey this summer, who
lives within u stones throw of Carl
Webster's home.''
Up in her chamber that night Lulu
Raynor buried her face in the pillow
and wept. "Gone," she sobbed, ''witlr-
out even friendly farewell; gone, as
the betrothed of another, after all that
has passed between us, Oh! 1 will tear
his image from my heart if life comes
with it,
And with his face hidden from view
by his hat, Carl Webster drew himself
back in the darkest corner of the rail-
way carriage and thought, "Heavens,
that blazing opal ring burns into my
very eyeballs; L cannot shut it cut.
should have hoped against hope even in
the face of Helen Merriman's assertion
but for that ring, which proved her
words too true. And she, Lulu, so seem
ingly truthful and frank, can it be she
meant to deceive me with well-acted
lies, or did she love me and sell herself
for gold? Either way leaves me little
comfort so long as she is lost to me-"
Just two days later Miss Helen Mer-
riman announced that she had received
letter which called her home. She
packed up, and left almost as suddenly
as Mr.. Webster had done. But she did
not go home. She went to her old
friend, Nora Bailey, to make the long
promised visit. And the second day af-
ter her arrival, who should she meet
but Carl Webster. "Why, where did
you drop from?" he cried in wonder.
81 thought you were at Mrs. Wilson'S" !"
$50 l was" she answered, "until day
before yesterday. The very evening of
your departure, received a letter from
an old friend here, Mrs. Bailey, begging
me to come down this week rs mutual
friend of ours, one we have not seen for
wears, would arrive this week, stopping
but two days on her way to California.
came on. And now the friend sends
a telegram saying it will be impossible
for her to come this route. However, l
mean to stay and make visit now l