New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-01-04

won't say that was astonished think
/ had already arrived at degree OF amazement
beyond which any further attainment was
physically impossible Even the last develop
ment failed to excite the wonder which, under
other circumstances, it might have induced.
I believe was more affecte3 by its suggestive
ness than by its reality. That man, such as
knew Leisler to be, couid be impelled by .
mere idealism to such a Remuneration, was sim
ply inexplicable. Certainly no words could do
justice to the subject, or express the varied and
conflicting emotions Of my mind. 1t was Q
clear case of monomania, and needed measures
was not able to apply.
Daring the winter saw Edith Talfourd &C
casionaly most frequently in her fathers pew
at Trinity, where went on Sunday afternoons.
She was sweet looking girl, rather petite, with
golden hair and blue eyes, and wistfvl express
sion upon her face as though there might be
something she sought and had not gained. l
liked to watch her as she bent over her prayer
book ia all the sincerity of her pure and earnest
heart and joined soft and sweetly in the in
toned responses. Whether she ever suspected
I.eisler's love l do not know, though was as
sured he never revealed it in words. He had
been a frequent 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 limited opportu-
mites could hardly determine. And 30 the
bleak winter passed by and spring came, and
with it hoped for a change.
1t was a lovely day in March, such as that
variable month sometimes develops as an
earnest OF those TO follow; an almost perfect
day. with no harsh winds chilling frosts to
recall the season that had past Leisler had
spent the afternoon over his old book, and put
il down only to go over its contents mentally.
| had begun to notice evidences of failing
health with an increased devotion to the pur
suit of his idea. His earnestness was such
that 1T had impressed me to a certain extent
with the reality of his suppositions, while at
the same time it forced me to the conclusion
that the imagination could be dispeled only
through one means. l was confident that il the
ownership of the article could be definitely es-
tabiished, and the conviction brought home to
his mind, he might be saved. And to this end
labored but as vet to no purpose. On this
afternoon | urged him to put away his book
and come out with me, a 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. Aslight color spread
over her features as she bowed to Leisler and
myself. Her father was out, she stated, but
she would be happy to attend to our wants.
expressed my desires, and while inspecting the
article entered upon general conversation
into which, with some effort, Leisler was
drawn. As his hand rested on the case, the
ring came under Miss Talfourd's observation.
May look at your ring, Mr.. Leisler?'' she
asked. :" believe it is considered 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 peculiarly with the morbid excite
ment exhibited by the other. The scene was
a study for an artist. stood apart and waited
result. She looked for INC ment, and then
asked
"What is the inscription, Mr.. Leisleri"
Inscription ~ he exclaimed.
"Why, yes" said she, There is certainly
an inscription there
81 wish there might be-" he returned, with a
gloomy incredulousness. rss rs
''But there is" she repeated, with evident
excitement. Cant you see it2' indicating
the scratches on the face Of the stone. "The
marks are so regular that there can be no doubt
Of it, Come TO the window, Mr.. Leisler, and
look through this microscope
"You look, Miss Talfourd cannot."
She fitted the microscope to her eye, and
bent over his hand. After moment she looked
up, and saying, 'it is not sufficiently power
fui, adjusted another instrument.
The strain was toe severe for an overtasked
mind.
Read it, he exclaimed, "for Gods sake,
read it, Edith, if you cam
The flush deepened on her face as she looked.
She simply said:
81 can readit, Mr. Leisler"
"Read it" he answered, as the working OF
his face indicated his suppressed excitement.
at is quotation" she said, "from the Song
Of Solomon, and written i'm the original He
brew. 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 as it is true"
go on he said, as he grasped the counter
and awaited her recital. Wondering, perhaps,
at his anxiety, but exhibiting in her eager
manner her interest in his behalf, she began.
"My grandmother's dear friend was Salome
Renwick, a Jewess by birth, lovely charac
ter, and talented mind. She taught me out
of her Hebrew Bible the language of her
fathers, and told me Of their conditions. When
| knew her she was very old, though still re-
tanning all the charms that had made her whole
life brilliant She was married, think, in the
year 1890. Her husband died twenty years
after, and thenceforth she lived with my grand
mother. At the time Of their marriage Mr..
Renwick caused two rings TO be made, each an
exact pattern OF that of iieman, the singer, a.
described in the Talmud; . broad plate OF
gold, joined TO an oval disk OF ehrysoprase,
which was minutely inscribed In Hebrew
characters, q sentence from the Canholes One
of these he wore himself. the other he gave B.
his wife. His was buried with him. the other
his wife lost from her finger Ia the Atlantic, at
Cape May She often told mo the cirsam
stances, aud inourned the loss, while she de
scribed the ohject par,ic alarly that ] uoad
not but remember and ideutlfy H. There 10
not the shadow of doubt bat whas thl. ~ the
sane--thai the iaissing ring @na yoats srs
identical"
IIow I'D che die, ssksJ i.sislsr. as
rup'ly
calmly sal peassluly. At hs1 ssms, ~ss
the response
AID her hal aud p
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u d'd not hdlo~ itssa ans ssre'ass h. shs
elements 20
Neas ~hsistsf
- An shat ves the lasftitissa
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'he masslias hlusb sHals ssssarss.d hes elsieA.
sts replied
wsll ssst hl,s whass sag saal lessih
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De- bed secs 81 - lss rlafF 80 ihs zee
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lawsd head With ths ssasy, che Assrlew a
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nom ils maliHa lnasssss bad sressi 40 be
iuse hlsa,