The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-05-21

His parting with Sally was not par
ticularly Y affecting. She wouldn't allow
II. That curious, antique, diamond
ring flashed in his sstonished eyes, and
his affection melted softly sway into
nothing, like the c1otd of white steam
under which he escaped in the $40
p. m. express. The whistle echoed among
the Wauchusetta hills, end the gentle
Sally heard it without a sigh.
Some OF the other girls could hardl 2
forgive her for driving away the only
available young man in the place. but
they sOothed their lacerated feelings
with the sweet hope that, as the sum
mer vacation was near at hand, new
importation of city visitors from B0s-
ton and New York might "make it gay
again" and gpfead wide once more the
matrimonial horizon.
The suddenness and complete success
of the victory rather surprised The vic
tor. She had succeeded beyond her ex-
PectatiOns. Now that it was all over,
she would return the ring, and-well,
no, perhaps she might keep it inst one
more night Cousin Mary Depford was
coming to spend the night, and 1t would
be rather amusing to wear the ring 6
little longer, and to let her into the Sc
cret. She would return the ring in the
morning.
Pleased with this Unspoken plan, che
set the ring frmer on her finger and
prepared to receive her " company.
Cousin Mary DepfOrd was charmed
with the ring, and was profuse in her
congratulations. Sally took them
quietly enough.
8" It's all a joke, you know, dear"
"A joke !"
Yes, dear, & little-well-game, if
[ may 50 speak"
Cousin Mary was properly shocked
In the retirement of their own room,
she expressed her mind fully, and de
ciared that she would not wear the ring
another minute. It was a p-etense and
a shame to de such thing.
Sally Vas startled and pleaded the
dreadful necessity of the case.
He was such bore, yOU know, and
really-what could I do It was eli in
fun. There's nothing serious. l mean
to return the ring tomorrow.
g wouldn't wear it another minute.
if were you, Sally Depford."
Sally laughed and still retained the
ring. She would return it tomorrow.
She would wear it one more night
for it was, really--such a handsome
ring.
The doctor behaved beautifully. Ee
only called once, and didn't even ask
her to ride or walk.
" He walks fast, aud as for that old
chaise-you know how it creaks."
1t was very proper engagement
Rather cool, perhaps. What could you
expect? He was past forty, if a day,
they said.
She did not return the ring the next
day. 1t rained. She sent a note to the
doctor by a friend, the following day,
asking him to call for il. He was away
wouldn't be back till Monday. OF
course she must We the ring one moro
Sunday; and abe did, in spite of Cousin
Mary Depford's remonstrance
On Monday she carried the ring, still
on her finger, to the doctor. He was
Just starting off on a professional tour
when she came, and he was so merry,
and there we're so many things to talk
about, that she quite forgot the ring
Besides, there stood the Widow BigeIow
n the next yard. pretending to hang
)Ut her clean clothes on the line, and
with both eyes.
Cousin Mary Depford was harassirg.
They had a little " tiff, after the man
ner of girls, and made it up on the
strength Of a promise from Sally that
she would certainly return the ring to,
On the morrow she started, ring on /
finger, to duly return It. He was not /
2t nome. She went again just before !
tea time. He was ct tea, and pressed /
her to take supper with his good old /
end himself. She hest (
lated, then accepted. She could quietly /
hand him the ring after supper, and in |
.he meantime she might as veil shave .
I good time"
The fine old house, the elegant dining .
room, and the cosy table set for three,
we're charming. The doctor was good |
5alker, and cultivated and refined in his
manners She had been obliged TO bear
much wretched gossip for the last week
n two. 1t wOuli be rather amusing to
zee Just how it seemed to be engaged.
She might as wei have a good time. for
{ would soon be over. She wOpld re-
urn the ring as soon as the hOusekeeper
'etired. The hOUsckesper did nothing
IF the kind. As soon as tea was over
he took her knitting, and sat down by
be open window in the parlOr, where
he coUld see every thing that happened
20 h in the house and in the gar en-.
The doctor acted his part with per-
ection. he was not too attentive to
.t;ract attention from the hOusekeeper,
lOr did he forget for a moment to be
Of his guests happiness.
At 1870 p. NJ. Sally returned to her
,wn room, looking wonderfully serene
md happy. Cousin Mary Depford was
ilent and watchfuL Presently she saw
omething. and said,-
%. Sally =
Wen, d~ar?"
. Where's the ring ?'
8" Oh, nv love. I quite forgot all
bout it; 7 did, indeed. I'll take it
light back tomorrow.
As for the doctor he sat up half the
light, pacing his room alone and in the
ark. At midnight he wps called 10
co some distant patient. He wac glad
o go. The cool Iide through the
olemn dark gave him chance to think.
The uext day Sally boldly started for
he doctors, to Tetnru the ring. He
7as not at home. Of course she could
ot leave it with the hcusekceper. Be
ides, why should she take the trouble
o carry it to him Il Was not her
'lace. lie should ask for L.
Cousin Mary fairly ragged. For the
rst time Sally was really unhappy over
he matter, and in 8 little passion she
.ulled st the ring and threw 1t in a
raweT.
"Iu return it by mail, Mary ! Now
aave me il peace -
There was no peace. Without q
bought she walked up alone to the
through the village street to
ct the evening mail. It did seem as if
be whole town were waiting for their
stteGs. It was too warm for gloves,
nd in her haste to get her letters she
DrgOt the absent ring.
Such alifting Of eyebrows and whiR.
elingl Flushed and angry with her
ELF, she dar;ed out of the letter Office
My to almost run into the doctors
rms
She hid her hand in the fold of her
ress, and with a forced smile bade him
GOD evening. He spoke pleasantly,
miled, and passed on. In a moment
ally heard his footsteps behind her as
he walked rapidly home. She would