Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-09-14
THE LOST RING;
now GODFREY HAVEN WON HIS BRIDE.

nv fingers, as i STOOD unuef the gasngnt,
waxing the diamonds shoot forth their fiery
lines Of dazzling brilliancy Close examina-
lion proved it 10 be most beautiful, and
valuable jewel, heavy, gold ring, with a
,Ijad of blue enamel In the centre of the
Shield sparkled one large diamond of purest
wafer. and above II number of smaller
,,"nes. vet each of remarkable beauty and
nnrty, were grouped In the form of cres-
cent had never seen gem more valuable
and unique, but Its possession was simply an
annoyance 10 me.
Was making a hasty business trip from
nv home In D., Ohio, through some of
he large Eastern cities, and had stopped In
New York for few days, having resolved
10 crowd two weeks work into one If pos
sble.
ness were closed, had eaten hasten dinner,
and gone to the theatre. Meeting some
friends, we had supped together, and talked
until tile clocks warned us that we had stolen
more than one hour from new day. Upon
INV return to my hotel, tired and desperately
sleepy, had found, upon the stairs, the ring
| have described. 1t was then after two
o'clock, evidently no hour to trouble the
sic, DIV clerk down stairs about the matter, so
Ipnt it in a safe corner of my pocket-boOk,
and retired.
The next morning, rising late, and feeling
very much hurried, merely mentioned In the
office that if any one inquired for diamond
ring, | had found one, and went leisurely
"a6out my business" During my travels
about the city, l took the ring to a leading
jewelers. and found his estimate of the value
If the stones even higher than my own.
''rhe workmanship is exquisite" he said
to me, evidently not done in this country"
NJ. hat rts 10 NJ fi.a hnfa
advertised my windfall for three days, and
considered that had done all that could be
expected. Still did not care to wear what
was really not my own, and put the ring away
in private drawer in my writing-desk with
some other valuables, charitably hoping the
loser was wealthy enough TO bear the loss
philosophically. When | left New York, |
gave my address at the hotel and newspaper
Office; but year later no word of inquiry
respecting the ring had reached me.
The business firm of which was the junior
partner required my services as sort of
travelling agent, my sojourn In different cities
lasting sometimes for months, sometimes only
forafew days. Wewere introducing through
out the United States new and valuable
patent, with success that was rapidly making
us all men of wealth. being the youngest
in the firm, and having, the others were Kind
ready tongue, was chosen to point out the
merits of our bread-winner to the merchants
who could dispose of it for us.
One of my trips Southwark year later
than my visit to New YOrk-found me set
tied in New Orleans, with letters of introduce
ton from many of the leading merchants of
other cities to those in my new abode.
was soon assured of pleasant social
standing, and one of the most delightful
homes where | was made welcome was that
Of Monsieur Lecourt, French gentleman,
and o merchant of high standing and large
wealth, who owned valuable plantations not
far from the city. He was a tall, stately
gentleman, with white hair and mOustache,
and grave face, that was often Swallowed
by deep sadness, though it never failed to
light up in courteous welcome when | APP
preached
| called twice, and spent the evening in the
library with my host but the third time, as
the servant opened the door, a lady rose from
a seat beside the old gentleman, and moved
toward the door.
stay, Adela," he said; this is my friend,
Dir. Haven, of whom have spoken to you.
My daughter Adela, Mr.. Haven"
The lady returned my greeting, and re-
sumed her seat beside her father, and as we
conversed in the best French | could com
uldllu, lOuuu my eyes WhuueIluB cNSI W
rest on her face and figure.
She was tall and slender without being thin;
the figure was exquisitely rounded, and pos
sessed peculiar willowy grace in Its droop-
ing attitudes and notions The face was very
beautiful, a perfect oval, withregular features,
and large, soft brown eyes, shaded by long
lashes, black as the raven hair above the low,
broad forehead. But upon the fair face, in
the graceful dropping figure, was visible a
deep, settled melancholy very painful to wit
ness in one who could scarcely have stepped
out of her teens. Her face was always pale,
and looked like marble contrasting with her
deep mourning dress. Her voice was always
low, and had an accent of sadness in every
tone,
Monsieur Lecourt was deeply interested in
my patent, and inclined to make some invest
ment of his idle capital in the enterprise, so
that we were often together discussing bust
ness, and 1t soon became matter of course
to find Adela with her father in the library.
1t was evident that the bond uniting the
two was very close, and that the father rarely
moved unaccompanied by his daughter 80
II was that we became trio often seen in the
library, Adela grasping with clear intelligence
all the advantage in her fathers proposed
venture, and questioning and overcoming all
the objections Yet, business once over,
Adela was also ready for general conversa-
ton, proving in her every word not only q
refined, cultivated intellect but a familiarity
with current topics rarely met with in lady,
and doubtless due in great measure to hel
fathers constant companionship.
As months of my sojourn passed on, l per
ceived little changes in Adela Lecourt, thai
seemed to promise that the heavy cloud evil
IDENTIFY resting over her young life was rolling
back somewhat. She would smile oftener
and noted softening in her dress, and al
improvement in her manner. Soft white LACE
replaced the heavy black Grape at her throa
and wrists, and she wore her hair in looser
fuller fashion. The long white hands tina
had rested in listless idleness upon her laI
now busted themselves with pretty feminine
work, embroidery, and soft wooden trifies
True, the work would lie often neglected
we spoke of topics that interested her, bu
then her eyes would kindle with an enthusl
asm they never showed in the early days Of
our friendship.
1t was friendship true and sincere. knew
was welcome to daughter as well as father
and for the time / asked no more than tn
cordial greetings given me so freely. Some
times we formed parties for horseback ride
to the plantations, and l found Adela tn
centre of loving friends but liked best GU
long home evenings, spent in the library
drawing-room, or wide garden summer-houst
as the within of the moment dictated. Calm
even, and meventful, our friendship kne'
no waverlngs, and seemed likely to endur
through life.