The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-01-25

that morning with these words
My DEAR Miss NEWT; N:-You were
right ia the guessing. The steamer ar
rived last night, and in accordance with
your promise, trus. you will accept and
wear the enclosed this evening, when you
will welcome my sister to her adopted
home, and oblige your true friend.
W. BRAYToN.
l touched the spring of the case, 1t
few back and there, on its cushion of
snowy velvet, was ring, whose cluster of
diamonds seemed to leap up suddenly
and catch down the morning sunlight in
to their clear hearts. as gazed 5ewilder-
ed unon them. Aunt Mary efapped her
hands 10 admiration and delight.
What magnificent gift, Carrie. Mr..
Braytsn has really outdone himself"
But Aunt, L cannot, Z ought not to
accept this. I am sure Harry would dis
approve of it.
What an absurd child you are. 1t
would be so impohte> too, after you prom
i~ed Mr.. Brayton to accept and wear it.
What would Mr.. Bravton think of you?"
but the wishes of the man l am to
marry, are of mightier law than any con
ventional ones. Aunt Mary"
sWhat pity did Mt haVo the bring
ing up Of you. Those squeamish notions
of yours, positively mortify me. For my
sake, if not for your own, hope you
will not be so rude as to break your prom
Use of wearing the ring tonight. 1 am
happy to say, you are the first girl l ever
knew to be contented to be the slave to
any man."
My pride was aroused. 81 assure you
Aunt, it is not from any fear of Harry
that refuse to wear the gift, but un-
der the circumstances, l think have no
right TO receive it,
But you have so already, and can
only make yourself very absurd now, by
refusing it.
This was true, and. influenced by her
arguments aud her greater knowledge of
social rules, [ reflected somewhat after
this fashion : 1t might bet really did
seem impolite, unkind to return the ring
at once. had viewed the matter as
jest, but MIR. Brayton, it seemed, had not
Would it not be much pleasanter to wear
the ring that evening, returning it at the
same time and telling him candidly my
reasons for doing so ? At least resolved
on the plan.
did you think [ would never come,
Aunt" Anna has been so long arrang-
ing my hair. But 1 am quite ready now
Harry is it possible ~
1t was evening. and, just dressed for
the Soiree, I hurried into the parlor where
Aunt Mary had been waiting for me sew
eral moments. I had caught up my
gloves and shawl as it was growing lat e,
and the carriage was at the door, so with
these in my hands, I confronted Harry,
whom l did not expect till the next day.
He did not come forward and reach out
his hands to welcome me. Ee stood
there by the mantle, white and stern, his
lips pressed together, with that expression
of pride and will, which struck out all
the tenderness from his face and left
nothing but the hare, stearness there
My Aunt was nervously pacing up and
down the room: excited and angry.
Carrie said the low, firm voice of
Harry, [ have heard from your aunt the
history of that diamond ring on your
finger. 1t is my wish that you should re-
move 1t this instant.
The tone itself. to say nothing of the
words, was command. If it had been
a request, or an entreaty, I should prob
ably have complied with it.
Il should like to know first your rea-
sons for such a command as this. Harry
[ answered haughtily, while my Aunt in
terposed.
Il hope you won't be such simple
ton, Carrie
My reasons you know already, SO
there is no necessity for repeating them.
The woman who is to be my wife shall
never receive such gift as that from
any young man.
Il would not have believed this of you,
Harry !" (Oh, it is terrible thing when
pride gets the master of two loving
hearts,.
Carrie, we will not waste words. Once
for all, will you remove that ring from
your finger, and in my presence. inclose
it to the gentlemen who had the audacity
to send it to you %
1t he had known I intended to give it
to Mr.. Brayton that very evening, it
would have sofsened his words, but had
intended doing this before / informed my
aunt, as I dreaded her representations
| was too proud to disclose my intentions
now, and in her presence.
And what if should prefer to choose
my own time and manner for doing this,
Harry?'' was my very compromising re-
Spouse.
That is, you may not do it at all. I
shall make no further requests but if
you do not comply with this one, on the
spot, you dissolve our engagement.
And |, God forgive Unanswered, Every
we'll! be it SO then Harry"
He turned with his slow, firm tread,
into the hall, stopping only once to
say good night," to my aunt.
l could have called him back, if it had
not been for my aunt's presence. But
he went out and returned no more.