The Republican journal., 1874-09-10
"Then we're engaged"
"1es-for the present"


ried, or till you wish to break it."
Where's the ring?"
'tOh l have one up-stairs-an old one.
| suppose it will answer to cover our little
arrangement"
How splendid of you, Doctorr'
"Now you must go. Old Mrs Davis is
soming soon with her neuralgia. Shall
tell her ~
Tell her what p
"Of the engagement"
Yes. Just hint it, and before night
the town will know it"
And they did. How they snatched up
the stray morsel of gossip and stirred il
into their tea with the sugar. Fortunate
circumstance 1t soured on their stomachs
the news, not the tea Even the sugar
and the good Bohea did not save them
from expressing with beautiful freedom
just what they thought about it.
"Such an old goose to be taken in by
that designing Sally Depford! The mink
the little contriving-a arttul-"
Such language 1t is not pretty His
tory like this cannot stoop to report all
that was said concerning the last new en-
gagcment, AS for Sam Barrett, he faded
beautifully away. and actually disappear
| ed, He suddenly found 50 tip-top chance
tor business, you know, in New York.
Ought to 90 right on and fix it up
His parting with Sally was not particu-
larlv affecting. She wouldn't allow it
That curious, antique, diamond ring flash
ed in his astonshed eyes, and his affection
melted softly away into nothing, like the
clouds of white steam under which he es-
capped in the $40 P. NJ. express. The
whistle echoed among the Wauchu-
setta hills, and the gentle Sally heard it
without II sigh.
Some OF the other girls could hardly
| forgive her tor driving away the only
available young man IN the place, but
| they soothed their lacerated feelings with
the sweet hope that, as the summer vaca-
ton was near at hand, a new importation
of city visitors from Boston and New
York might, ''malle it gay again, and
| spread wide once more the matrimonial
| horizon
The suddemess and complete success of
the victory rather surprised the victor.
She had succeeded beyond her eXpccta-
tions: Now that it was all over, she
would return the ring, and-well, no.
perhaps she might keep it just one more
night Cousin Mary Depford was coming
TO spend thenight, and 1t would be rather
amusing towear the ring a little longer
and to lether into the secret She would
return the ring in the morning.
Pleased with this unspoken plan, she set
| the ring lirlner on her finger, and prepared
to receive her company.
Cousin Mary Depford was charmed
with the ring, and was protuse in her con-
gratulations Sally took them quietly
enough.
Its all Joke, You know, dear"
a .joke.'
"Nes, dear, Il little-well-game, if /
may 50 speak"
Cousin Mary was properly shocked. In
the retirement of their own room she ex-
pressed her mind fully, and declared she
would not wear the ring another moment.
1t was a prctence. and-a shame to do
such a thing.
Sally was startled, and pleaded the
dreadful necessity of the case.
''IIe was such a bore, you know, and
| really-what could | do? 1t was all in
fun. There's nothing serious | mean to
return the ring Tomorrow
II wouldn't wear ii another minute ii |
were you, Sally Depiord''
Sally laughed and still retained the
rng She would return it tomorrow,
She would wear it one more night for it
was ally,-Such handsome ring,
The Doctor behaved beautifully He
only called once, and didn't even ask her
to ride OF walk.
''lIe walks so ast,-anu rs for that old
chaise,-you know how it crcaks"
1t was Il very proper engagement.
Rather cool, perhaps What could you
expect? He was past forty If a day they
said
She did not return the ring the next
day 1t rained She sent note to the
Doctor the following day, asking him to
call for it. He was away,-wouldill' be
back Til Monday. OF course she must
wear the ring one more Sunday; and she
did,--in spite Of Cousin Mary Deptord'a
| remonstrance
On Monday She carried the ring still on
her finger, to the Doctor. He was Just
starting off ON Il professional tour when
she came, and he was so merry, and there
were so many things to talk about, that
she quite forgot the ring. Besides, there
stood the Widow Brigelow in the next
yard, pretending to hang out her clean
clothes ON the line, and watching with
| both eyes.
Cousin Mary Deplorl was harassing
They had Il lutte tiff after the manner
of girls, and made it up on the strength
of Il promise from Sally that she would
certainly return the ring tomorrow.
On the morrow, she started, ring on
finger to duly return it, He was not at
home. She went again Just before tea
time, lie was at tea, and pressed her to
stay and take supper with his good old
housekeeper and himself She hesitated
moment accepted. She could
quietly hand him the ring after supper,
and in the meanwhile she might as well
''have a good time"
The fine old house, the elegant dining
room, and the cosy table set for three,
We're charming. The Doctor was good
talker, and cultivated and refined i'll his
manners. Sle had been obliged to bear
much wretched gossip for the last week
or two. 1t was quite proper she should
stay to tea 1t would be rather amusing
to see Just how it would seem to be en-
gagged She might as we'll have good
time for it would soon be over. She would
return the ring as soon as the housekeeper
retired. The housekeeper did nothing of
the kind. AS soon as tea was over she
took her knitting, and sat down by the
open window in the paror, where she
uuuAa .,oo ,ything that hanpanpd both
in the house and in the garden.
The Doctor acted his part to perfection
He was not too attentive to attract attention
from the housekeeper, nor did he forget
tor q moment to be watchtul of his guests
happiness.
At 1890 T.. NJ, Sally returned to hen
own room, looking wonderfully serene
and happy. Cousin Mary Deptord was
silent and watchtul Presently she saw
something, and said:
go Sally"
"Well, dear?"
'Where's the ring? ?"
80 my love! quite forgot all about
it, did, indeed. lll take it right back
Tomorrow
As tor the Doctor. he sat up half the
night pacing his room alone and in the
dark. At midnight he was called out te
| Gao Gonna 1i ictont patiant He waS Glad tC