The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-01-20

Wy idIneT CoHics dCTono su0s AoAo oooA
altogether by accident. He is not an anti
quarian or q collector, and is generally a
frugal man. Tho book is brought home
and is within my reach. find this ring
in the only fish catch during tho day, and
that when am returning home, without
expectation or intention on my part. l
have no knowledge that the article is
Italian. Ihave never looked into the book
Yet am led to consult the ono with regard
to the other, and find there minute and
particular description Of the object, and
more than thar, an awful intimation of the
wearer's fate. Is all this mere chance,
and am to regard it as such? l cannot
believe it SO. I am required to recognize
the force of such a conjunction. am
a doomed man, and my shadow walks ever
with me-" Pausing for moment. he
abruptly asked, Chow can 1 ever ask
Edith Talfourd to share it with me? Aud
I've loved her for years.
The overtasked system gave way, and
the poor fellow bowed his head and wept
like child.
l won't say that was astonishsd I
think had already arrived at q degree of
amazement beyond which any further
attainment was physically impossible
Even this last development failed to excite
the wonder which, under other circum-
stances, it might have induced. believe
l was more affected by its suggestiveness
than by its reality. That > man, such Is
I knew Leisler to be, could be impslled by
a mere idealism to such . remuneration
was simply ine1plicabls. Certainly no
words could do justice to the subject, or
express the varied and conflicting emotions
Of my mind. 1t was clear case Of mono
mania, and needed measures was not able
to apply.
During the winter saw Edith Talfourd
occasionally, most frequently in her
fathers pew at Trinity, whore went on
Sunday afternoons. She was sweet look
ing girl, rather petite, with golden hair and
blue eyes, and a wistful expression upon
her face as though there might be some
thing she sought and had not gained.
liked to watch her A. she bent over her
prayer book in all the sincerity of her pure
and earnest heart, and joined soft and
sweetly in the intoned responees. Wheth-
er she ever suspected Leisler's love did
not know, though was sure he had never
revealed it in words. He had been fire.
quently 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 limit
opportunities. could hardly determine
And so bleak winter passed by and spring
came, and with it hoped for change.
1t was a lovely day in March, such as
that variable month sometimes developes
as an earnest Of those that follow; an
almost perfect day, with no harsh winds
or chilling frost to recall the season that
had passed. Leisler had spent the after.
noon over his old book, and put it down
had begun to notice evidences Of failing
health with an increased devotion to the
pursuit of his idea. His earnestness was
such that it had impressed me to certain
extent with the reality of his suggestions.
while at the same time it forced me to the
conclusion that the imagination could be
dispelled only through one means. l was
confident that if the ownership Of the arti-
Gle could be definitely established, and the
conviction brought home to his mind, he
might be saved. And to this end labored;
but as yet to no purpose. On this after
noon l urged him to put away his book
and come out with me, suggestion which,
to my surprise, he proceeded to follow
We walked through the street slowly and
silently till We approached the little store
of Mr.. Talfourd, when remembered
needed 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 my
self Her father was out, she stated, but
she would be happy to attend to our wants.
expressed my desires, and while inspect
ing the articles entered upon general con-
versation into which, with some effort, Leis-
Ter was drawn. AS his hand rested on the
case, the ring came under Miss Talfourd's
observation.
"May look at your ring, Mr.. Leisler?"
eIx ~. ! -.
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 popularity with the morbid
excitement exhibited by the other. Tho
scene was study for an artist. stood
apart and waited result. She looked for
moment and then asked:
"What is the inscription, Mr.. Leisler ?"
Inscription" he exclaimed.
"Why, yes" said she. "There is Ger
tainly an inscriptioned there"
~ wish there might BE-" he returned,
with gloomy incredulousness.
"But there is" she repeated with evil
dent excitement. Cant you see it ?" in
dicating the scratches on the face Of the
stone. "The marks are 30 regular that
there can be no doubt of it. Come to the
window, Mr.. Leisler, and look through
this microscope to her eye, and bent over
his hand. After moment she looked UP,
and saying, cit is not sufficiently power
full" adjusted another instrument.
The strain WAS too much for his over
tasked mind.
Read it," he exclaimed, "for Gods
sake, read it, Edith, if you oan."
The flush deepened on her face ~ she
looked. She simply said:
"I can read it, Mr. Leisler.'
"Read it." he answered, As the working
of his face indicated his suppressed excite
ment.
alt is quotation. she said, "from tho
Sopg of Solomon. and written in tho orgi-
nal Hebrew. 1t reads: Il will seek him
whom my soul loveth, Mr.. Leisler," she
added, 81 can tell you the story Of that
ring. 1t is as remarkable, Is it is true"