American citizen., 1874-10-17

thought she walked up alone to the
Postoiiicc through the village street to
get the evening mail 1t did seem rs if
/ the whole town were waiting for their
letters. 1t was too warm for gloves, and
in her haste to get her letters she forgot
the absent ring.
Such a lifting of eyebrows and whis-
I pering, Flushed and angry with her
! self, she darted out of the letter office
only to almost run into the doctors
arms.
She hid her hand in the folds of her
dress, and with Il forced smile bade him
good evening. He spoke pleasantly,
| smiled, and passed on. In Il moment
| Sally heard his footsteps behind her as
she walked rapidly home. She would
not turn nor speak to him on the public
road-and that would only make matters
! ten times worse. What was she to do?
1t was dreadful. How she wished she
| had never touched the ring,
To her surprise he overlook her, and
quietly and firmly put her arm in his.
| For a moment she experienced Il sense
of unutterable relief and satisfaction.
She leaned upon him for support, and
was gratitied as he seemed to draw her
closer. How good in him to come to her
rescue,
! The curtain has not been rung down
yet, Miss Dcpford."
| The curtain, Oh, he was only carrying
out the joke, With IL forced laugh she
| took the hint, and in moment was as
merry and chatty as ever. Once the doc
tor looked ut her in questioning way,
| and once he was silent for Il whole min
ute.
They walked on arm-in-arm up the
village street, and at the sight half the
town was dumb with astonishment, and
the other half whispered the dreadful
news about the missing ring.
Little did they care. They walked on
and on, and almost before Sally was
aware of it they arrived at the doctors
gate. The doctor opened the wicket,
and with smile held it wide for her to
enter
She paused. Was it right? Was she
not carrying the joke altogether too far?
The blood mounted to her temples, and
she was silent.
"Wil you not come in, Miss Depford,
and make little CALI"
No-I-thank you. Not-now."
She put out her hand to sustain her
self, and laid her ungloved fingers on the
top of the gate-post. She felt ready to
faint with modification, shame and dis
appointment. This was the end. 1t was
only joke-a pretense-and-
Miss Dcpford," said the doctor, in "a
low voice, "where is my ring?
She snatched her hand away, and, hid
ing it in her dress, turned away to hide
her face
Pardon me, pardon me, Doctor; l am
much to blame. | didn't mean any harm,
and hated-hatcd -"
Hated whom?"
That-Sam Barrett; and was so glad
to escape from him that | am afraid I've
done very wrong-very wrong indeed"
How so?"
I'm carrying out this dreadful, dread
full joke, as you call it. l am well pun
ished for my folly. l took the ring off
because | must-return it to you"
But-Sally-I do not wish you to re-
turn it."
She turned around amazed. What did
he mean? One glance was sufficient.
"Come in-please-my love"
She took his arm again without a
word, and they walked slowly up the
gravcled path toward the old mansion.
The housekeeper came out and bade them
welcome in grand and impressive
manner. The evening shadows fell on
the lawn. The crickets began to chirp
in the grass. The air seemed laden with
the peri Ime of summer flowers. The
ancient ivy seemed to even vaguely hint
of autumn as it hung in motionless fes-
toons from the walls. There was Il sober
air about the place, far different from
her girlhood's home The doctor offered
her AN armchair on the wide piazza.
How courtly and dignified his man
ners. His hair was gray-with honor
able toll. He leaned over her and whis-
pered:
at is an old fashioned place, and l
am such an ancient, solitary
"Hush. it's home-our home"
The housekeeper turned proudly away
from such childish nonsense, and fur
lively wiped IA tear for the lamented, sol
itary goose.-American Homes.