The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-07-25
MAY AsHLEY,S RING.

cannot answer e, so all there is for us To
do, is to part"
They were walking by the river side,
that still September night,-May Ash
ley and Harry Sim. The mellow moon
hung high in the heavens, and shone
down upon the broad, ripping river,
and the far stretch of meade ow-land be-
yond it, and the lovers standing to-
gether by an old tree, that witnessed so
many interviews in years that it had
rustled and whispered there by the river
path.
May was but seventeen-proud, iupa-
tient and sensitive. There was hasty
flush upon her pale, pretty face, and a
stormy light in her eyes. Harry Sim
stopped, and took both the tender rest
less hands in his.
"You don't mean it, Mayl You are
angry now, but you surely cannot mean
that!"
"Cannot I? You think, then, that 1
am so much your slave that / will sub
NIT to anything you choose to say or
do! l will show that / can live without
your favor or your smiles. can 90
away from here and strike out path for
myself. You may marry Hattie Gray,
if you prefer her to me, and will
never"
"Now, May" interrupted Harry,
'there is some nistake. l think 1 can
explain"
mo, it is to late, now, you must not
try! l gave you chance, and you
would not. I see you do not care for
me as thought you did when let you
put this ring on my finger" she said
drawing 1t off as she spoke, ."and will
never ask you for an explanation
againl"
Harry was growing angry. He did
not suppose May was in earnest, and it
provoked him to be set so cody aside.
Just as you please, Msyi" he said,
drawing back. You are in strange
mood Tonight, and will not listen to
ressonl But what are you going to do?''
he asked as she drew her shawl about
her and turned away; ''you are not 60
ing?"
"Yes," she answered, turning and
showing q face from which all color had
faded' leaving it white still, Eyes, am.
l am going where you will never see me
again. You will see what can do to
win a name and fortue for myself. And
1 will never forgive the heartless way
you have treated mel"
Never in long time, May" Harry
said still incredulous; "don't say any
thing you will be sorry for"
mo, will not" she replied, speaking
slowly and firmly. "In take that
never back"
She stepped to the river side, and
tossed the ring she had drawn from her
finger, far into the iippling waves.
"When you bring that ring back to
me from the river, then, and not until
then, will l forgive your'
And before the sstonished young man
could answer, she had turned, and was
fitting up the river path.
Then look of pain and apprehension
came into his face, and he looked eager
ly and wistfully after the vanished
girl.
"May, May, come backl" he cried, |
"dOn't leave me sol"
But she did not turn, and he would |
not follow. And so, for q moments
anger, these two who had loved each
other well, were parted.
"She will be sorry and come again
Tomorrow" he said to himself as he
turned homeward. "May is
proud, but she loves me TO we'll to cast
me off like this"
So the next night found him an anx-
ious watcher by the river side. But no
slender, graceful form, and proud pale
face was there to meet him, and though
he came night after night, henever saw
her any more fitting down the path to
the old tree. Theu his pride gave way
and he sought her at dreary boarding
house in the village, that had been her
only home since she came there two
years before, homeless orphan.
NO." Miss Strong replied, In answer
70 his inquiry, ''May Ashley amt here.
She got through dress. making for Mrs.
Campbell three days ago, and went of.
She didn'tsay where she was going, and
's long as she paid her board / didn't
,are. She's stuck-up piecel" with a
oss of the head, which showed that Nav
vas no favorite.
He wentfrom there to Mrs. Campbell,
! stylish young widow. She met him
with her most charming smile, but ii
hanged when he made his inquiry.
miss Ashley did not tell me whara (