The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-03-19
SAVED BY A RING.


He had heard the boats keel CRATE on
the sand half an hour before, and he
knew his ship but waited for him in the
harbor below 20 lift her anchor and
away ; and when before had he been last
on boardl Standing IN the deep en-
brasure of q window, q glance without
now and then showed him the two sailors
walking impatiantly up and down the
beach but still he fingered, Watching a
little figure that danced as lightly as if
Capt. Charley Grayson were no more to
her than any other sailor that came and
went from Rockport.
The least bit of figure it was, with
great, deep, baby-blue eyes, a skin white
as milk, mouth like ripe cherry, and
hair, not gold nor fax, but just yellow,
with not a straight inch in one of its
curling threads. Capt. Grayson looked
at this pretty creature, and asked himself
if it wasn't all dream that that cherry
mouth had kissed him only the night be-
fore that the yellow curls had fioated
over his shoulder while the baby-blue
eyes had looked up In his dark ones, with
tears for his going. She hadn't missed
dance that evening, but never once had
danced with him and as for the air at
the North Pole, that he had breathed
more than once, it wasn't to be compared
with the atmosphere that surrounded her
and to spare, he thought, for everybody
else.
What did it all mean2 Was it true
what Basil French said of her, that Viz
ginia Lawton was the veriest hirt in
Christendom9 He couldn't-he wouldn t
believe it. Well, the stars were growing
pale in the skies, and he must be gone.
But he must speak with her first, If he
had to interrupt her in the midst of a
L.
everlasting love to woman one night
and leave her the next for voyage half
round the world without q word?
Fortune favored him little, for Just
then, for the first time since he had en-
tered the ballroom, Virginia stood little
apart and alone between the dances.
Capt Grayson crossed the room, and
said, almost imperahvely, ssCome out
i into the garden minute, Genie. 1 must
] be gone In five minutes. %
g Indeed, Grayson," she answered,
coldIY, '' the dew would do neither me
nor my dress good, fancy. Since you
are going, good-by !"
And, quick as flash, she slipped a
ring from her finger and as she gave
him her hand, as if in farewell, she left
the ring-the ring that had been the
token of betrothal-in his hand as she
withdrew her own.
Then the music began again. Some
body came up, and claimed Virginia for
the dance, and Capt Grayson found him
self out in the garden about a moment
afterward, without the slightest recol-
lection of coming thither. The ring was
still In his hand. Should he cast it away
Somehow he could hardly do it. She had
worn it on her little white hand, and he
was one that was slow at unloving. And
as he held it, feeling more bewildered
than angry yet, Basil French, his old
friend, came up the gravel walk.
ssYouhere, Charley2" he said. tsWhy,
/ thought You ont of sight of Land by this
time What's up, old fellow 2"
Everything" said Grayson, impul
sively, opening his hand, and disclosing
the ring.
Basil French laid his hand ON his
friends shoulder.
at didn't think you were so hard hit
Charley. She has served you better than
most. ," he added, a little grimly. ss
think her jewel-box must be quite well
filed"
At that, the ring sped out of Capt
Grayson's hand with emphasis.
stGood-by, Basil, he said. Ny mel
down at the boat have waited long
enough for this fools play -
Basil French remained O while Longer
in the garden after Grayson's departure
pacing up and down the walks with {
quick step, and smiling once In q while a
if his thoughts were pleasant and ye
the moonlight falling full on his face
scarcely showed pleasant smile Onc'
he stopped, and picked up something
and put it in his pocket.
Who knows but it may save me buy
ing one he said IN low undertone
1.-TWO engagement rings exactly aux
would be romantic coincidence, and q
women love romance pretty fools :,
You've had merry night OF 1t
haven't you, child said Ar. Lawton, q
the carriage whirled them homewards
last, Just as the gray dawn Was peepanl
over the hills TT was such an old 1901
seeing you 90 gay, that couldnt = pear
take you away, and here's deyngns cloe
at our heels. Come, your old father
about as rood to Won as any OF thos
young popiniays could be that We're 9
thick round you tonight, eh, Genie
The Young girl crept little nearer ne
father, and laid her cheek fondly agaanf
his. How happy he thought she Wa
his gay, light hearted Virginia
everybody could be 30 cared for ~
protected as was this fair child OF ms
All, but there is no garrison for
Woman's heart, no fortress through VINO
the arrow of txeachery and deceit ma
not find its mark
Virginia Lawton's feet had been m1c
lighter than her heart that night 1or 20 y
was proud and had plenty OF spl11ss s
all her childish look, and no man Anoaa =
imagine that she wore the willow Tor hln
She had come into the ballroom Will
shadow on her bright spirit, it - fEues e
the parting that was so near bat to
wretched when one loves and - aoVe
again is hardly possible. 1oufns az
hope, and love build such ra1nbo
bridges ACROSS absence. Some capE1s