Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-03-05
Selected sflisfellanp
AN ENGAGEMENT RING.

Edward Elwood kissed his mothers
pale, peaceful face that was lifted to his
own with pride that was deeper because
of its eloquent silence, and then started
off through the streets to the engine
house. A splendid, manly fellow he
s-musculnr without being too heavy
and as graceful in his bearing and gentle
in his manner as if he were pet of la
dies society rather than the engineer of
an express train between and the
city.
Everybody liked him, from the fireman
to the mother who idolized him, from
the passengers on the train, who did not
hesitate to bow to him, to May Clifford.
with her canny blue eyes that had
wrought incurable harm with Edwards
large heart
This morning, a warm, beautiful
morning 10 late autumn, Edward went
needlcssly out Of his way to the engine
house
There was certain tender longing in
Edwards heart this morning that fairly
forced his feet in the direction Of May
Clifford's house, il perchance he might
be rewarded by glimpse Of her bright
eyes, or merry " Goodbye" as he
passed the gate.
He loved her dearly.
He wanted to tell her so, too, and was
going TO the first real good chance he had
And this bright September morning,
after he had kissed his mother good bye,
and left his quiet, cozy home, that his
own hands had earned and paid for. this
great love for May Clifford came flowing
up in his heart so strongly that, for once,
he ran risk Of being minute or so be-
hind time.
He walked lcisurely and looked at bis
watch-the company had given him
that, and be was proud of it--and found
that he had five minutes time yet.
Was May going to gladden. bis eyes
this morning?
just then, as she passed the first gate,
she came down to the gravel walk, fresh
from the sacred baptism Of sleep, with
her blue eyes dewy and her lips and
checks as fresh as newly opened roses
She gave little start, half natural
and half affected, but wholly charming.
and held out one hand-tbe other held
up the skirt of her light blue wrapper.
Why. Edward aren't you late 2"
He took her band and crushed it
slightly in his strong palm, and looked
some Of the love he felt-enough to
make her cast down her sweet eyes and
avert her pretty, flushed face.
Not necessarily, | think. / came
round this way several minutes earlier on
purpose to see you Amt the fates
good to grant me this meeting =
He was so romantic--so poetic, this
brave, handsome engineer, who would |
have bis hands blackened with toll SO
shortly after.
May just barely thought that, then
smiled as she knew it wasn't so much !
the fates to be thanked for the meeting |
as herself, seeing that she had been up,
dressed, and watching through the win
dow for half hour or more
But she never told Edward that
She only smiled, aud made him think
what exquisite teeth she had and what
sweet, dimpled mouth.
- will be late, he said. after be
had watched her. almost grecdily sec
oBd or two, :" but what wanted par
ticularly to tell you was to meet me down
by the station when the train is due to-
night I want you to walk up with me.
VIII you? I shall have something for
you, if you'll have it"
He looked in her happy eyes a moment,