Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-12-12
From the Saturday Evening Post.
THE OPAL RING.
BY ELLA WHEELER

THE OPAL RING.
BY ELLA WHEELER.
Miss Helen Merriman sat on the rus
tic bench under the spreading branches
of the maple and looked up at Carl
Webster, who leaned against the body
of the tree, idly watching the party of
croquet players few rods distant, or
rather watching one of the party, for
he saw only Lulu Raynor in her piqu-
ant croquet drees and hat as she
knocked the balls here and there, keep
ing the whole party in an uprOar with
her wit and satire.
Miss Merriman saw the direction of
Carl Webster's dreamy eyes, and her
own blue orbs flashed with sudden re-
solve, and she set her lips firmly.
How very brilliant Miss Raynor is
to-day" she said sweetly. "She seems
to be the life of the whole party
eyes, unusually Brilliant" Carl an
swered, absently.
"And 10 WONDER" Miss Helen con-
tinued. "Most any girl would feel in
good spirits who stood in her shoes to-
day. That is, mean any girl who was
ambitious for position and station, as
Miss Rayner is.''
She watched him narrowly, while
she spoke, from under her long curling
eyelashes. But Carl Webster was re-
served man, ,outwardly cold and naughty
and he was not likely to betray any
emotion at Miss Merriman's words. He
only turned his head slowly, knocked
the ashes from his segar, and asked
quietly, "What especialreason has Miss
Raynor for being in usual spirit to-
day?"
For one second only Miss Merriman
hesitated. There was still time to re-
treat. She could answer his query by
saying that the sensation which Miss
Rayner created at the preceding eve
ming was what she referred to; but no,
the time had come when she must make
a desperate move, or lose the game. So
she lifted her sapphire eyes to the face
before her, and with a most natural ex-
preston OF surprise, asked:
"Why haven't you heard? Hasn't it
been made publi YETI"
"What been made public?" was
Carl's only answer.
"Why, Miss Raynor's engagement to
Senator Delaplaine. 1t took place last
night, You know
"But do not know it, neither do l
believe it," he said firmly. "Miss Ray
nor would not sell herself to man who
wears the name Senator Delaplaine
wears, handsome, rich and high in the
social circle as he may be and as he is.
1 do not believe it,
"But it is true, nevertheless, Mr..
Webster. know it to be so."
"How do you know it?"
His dark, magnetic eyes were bent
full upon her face. She felt their pow
er to her very finger ends, but she look
ed him bravely i'm the face without
finching, and without blush or a
tremor she told him an absolute false
hood.
"How? Why, 1 heard it with my
own ears. was in the conservatory,
resting after polka, and my compan-
ion had gone for an ice. They, Miss
Raynor and the Senator, were outside
on the piazza. They stopped exactly
under my window, and l could hear
every word of his proposal, every word
of her reply, which was consent. 1t
was done SO hurriedly had not time
to get away. He spoke, told her he
loved her, asked her to be his wife, and
she said yes. No doubt it will be an
nounced soon."
Carl Webster had looked her quietly
in the eyes while she spoke, not mus
Gle Of his face moving. When she fin
ished, he turned away, tossed the re-
mainder of his segar into the grass,
and said, bowing, "Thank you, Miss
Merriman, you have done me great
service.''
He walked out near the croquet party,
and stood a moment watching Lulu
Raynor. She felt the magnetism of his
gaze, and looked up, flushing slightly
as she always did under his eyes.
al am completely routing my oppo-
nents, Mr.. Webster" she laughed, "and
am sure of winning the game"
"Miss RaynOr is very fortunate" 7"
Carl Webster answered, bowling. " Her
skill in all games of chance ensures her
success. 1 congratulate her with all my
heart upon her recent achievements in
outstripping all others and winning the
game"
She looked at him, SURPRISED at his
words, which she felt sure contained
some hidden meaning, but he had turned
away, and was walking leisurely to-
ward the house.
Helen Merriman sat very still, buried
in deep thought for some moments. She
had made desperate move. She had
played her last card, and now she must
not throw up the game. She felt sure
Carl Webster believed her story, and
now the thing was to keep up the de-
ception. If she could only bring proof
of her statements in some way, if she
could only make things appear as she
claimed them to be.
She went up to her room soon after
Carl Webster left her, and sat down be-
fore her jewel-case. She looked it over
carefully, and at length selected bla-
zing opal ring, set in fine gold. She
\ had not worn it in years, her hands be-
ing loaded with rings she preferred tC
the opal. But it was costly, elegant
thing, though a trifle too heavy for ;
Ilady's hand. She waited until sht
! heard the croquet party return, ant
heard Miss RaynOr enter her room
Then she crossed the hall, and tapped
on her door. Being bidden to enter
she glided in, and stood before Mis-