Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-07-21
MISC EouS.
TRUE THROUGH ALL.

81 READ an incident of the late war, which
g may not inappropriately be called here the
story of the ring. 1t relates to a circum-
stance which occurred when the old medical
college military prison. A party of
young men-six | believe-had been arrested
somewhere in the interior of the State and
brought to the city as prisoners of war
Months passed in weary confinement. Ex-
pectation and ''hope deferred makes the heart
sick" and these men grew weary of their long
imprisonment. They worked hopefully aud
waited patiently, and the period of their de-
ivernnce came at last. An excavation under
the walls and bribed guard was all there
was of romantic interest in tho flight But
after getting far away from the prison one of
the fusityes stopped short and announced
his intention of returning.
"Return :" said his companions, "wby, you
will be taken. The guards have been changed
ere this, and our escape no doubt discovered"
True" he said, "but still must return"
So far the writer listened to the narrative
as it was related by one of the fugitives one
night near the close of the war, in a quiet
little house nestled among the Lex;ngto
hills. The narrator was the centre of scene
OF gayety and brightness, village party, but
one whose culture and refinement was as
SSS'SSNS'S
in the city A lady sat neer him listening
eagerly to what he said. Even aftor the lapse
of so many years I can coniure now the beau.
tltul vision her memory recalls. A classic
face, with great luminous eyes, and a figure
as taultless IN contour and outline as the
Medicisn Venus. The face was sad, even in
that scene of pleasure. The shadow of some
great sorrow hung about her life, and all the
rosy hopes of her youth had faded in their
bloom.
had noticed an evident constraiut in her
manners. when in the evening she was brought
in contact with Mr.. w, one of the guests
They appeared to mutually avoid each other;
or rather he retrained from paying attentions
that he feared would be considered disagree
able. Aud yet gossips said that they had
once been lovers.
''But to return is DEATH" I urged upon
my friend, said the narrator You will be
shot if taken''
81 know it," he said, "but still am going
back"
These words were quietly spoken, but there
was an iufexible determination in their tone
which almost appalled, me. l reasoned and
demonstrated in vain. ] showed him the
certainty of capture and the possible death
that awaited him. It produced no impress
sion. llo listened to me quietly, sadly 1
thought, but his resolve was unaIterable.
"But why" l asked, out of patience with
his obstiuacy, "will you incur this risk 2"
81 am going back for my ring" he said
At these words the eager listening lady
started visibly, and her face flushed scarlet.
But the narrator did not perceive it, and went
on with his story.
"What Iing?" I asked-"not that little
gold circlet saw you wearing?"
IGTas ~ he said Tho "a g
friend. I laid it aside as we were working
under the wall, lest should break il, and in
the hurry of escape 1 left t. ne we're
scarcely outside the wall -
1t, but would not peril your e.
turning then. Now you are safe, an
back for my ring"
But why peril your life for a trife like
that 2"
81 told you it was the gift of dear friend;
a lady 1t is the pledge Of my troth to her
II lost or gave it away she would hold me
foresworn. lfshe saw me without it, should
stand in her eyes traitor. l took in those
conditions, and must go back"
There was no doubt of the lady's interest
In the narrative now. She leaned forward in
her chair. . Her whole soul was absorbed in
listening. Not word, not an accent escaped
her strained and eager senses. Nv interest
in the story had given way to my interest in
the lady never saw such intensity of feel.
ing in my life.
81 expostulsted with him." continued the
narrator; 81 ridiculed the idea; what value
is the rfng Tell the lady you lost it r.
Not So he said. she could then eay I loved
liberty and personal freedom better than the
gift she gave me-"
''And he returned ?''
1t was the lady who asked the question:
Her voice was very low, and the INQUIRY came
with choking utteraDce.
'He did, and served for his pains nine
dTeary months of imprisonment, a solitary
captive, with ball and chain"
And the ring" we all demanded eagerly.
"He did not find it."
Even as he spoke, the lady rose from her
chair and passed across the room to where Mr.
". was sitting.
AS quick thought it flashed upon US,
these were the parties.
heard her say as she came close to his
side 5! 81 did not expect from you impossi-
bIIItles. You should have told me the story"
The cad mask had dropped from her face.
her eyes were full of tears but not of bitter
ness
1t is useless to tell of the happy wedding
that ensued of the joy and merry making of
the guests Our fair readers can imagine
that. And so ends the story of the ring.