The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-22
THE ENGAGEMENT RING.

Edward Elwood kissed his mothers
pale, peaceful face that was lifted to his
own with pride that was the deeper
started off through the streets to the en-
gine house. A splendid, manly. fellow
he was-muscular, without being too
heavy, and as graceful in his bearing and
gentle in his manner as If he were q
pet of ladies' society rather than the en-
gineer ofan express train between -
and the city.
Everybody liked him, from his fireman
to the mother who 1doliZed him, from
the passengers in his train, who did not
hesitate to bow to him, to May Clifford,
with her canny blue eyes that had
wrought incurableiharm with Edwards
large heart. 5,
This morning, a warm, beautiful morn
ing in late autumn, Edward went need
lessly out of his way to the engine-house.
There was a 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 "good-by" as ne passed
the gate.
He loved her dearly.
He wanted to tell her so, too, and was
going to, the very first real good chance
he had.
And this bright September morning,
after he had kissed his mother goOd-by,
and left his quiet, cosy home, that his
own hands had earned and paid Tor, this
great love for Mary Clifford came flow
ing up in his heart so strongly that, for
once, he ran a risk OF being minute or
so behind time.
He walked lesurely and looked at his
watch-the company had given him that,
and he was so proud OF it-and found
that he had five minutes time yet.
Was May going to gladden. his eyes
this morning!
Just then, as he passed the first gate,
she came down the gravel walk, fresh
! from the sacred baptism of sleep, with
her blue eyes dewy and her lips and
cheeks as fresh as new-opened roses.
She gave little start, half natural and
halt affected, but wholly charming, and
| then held out one hand-the other held
up the skirt of her light-blue wrapper.
.sWhy, Edward, aren't you latew
He took her hand and crushed it slight
| ly in his strong palm, and looked some
of the love he telt-enough to make her
cast down her sweet eyes and ayerted
her pretty, flushed face.
"Not necessarily, I think. / came
round this way several minutes earlier
on purpose to see you. Ain't the fates
good to grant me this meetingW
He was SO romantic-so poetic, this
brave, handsome engineer, who would
have his hands blackened with toll 80
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 chat she had been up,
dressed, and watching through the VIM
dow for a half hour or more.
But she never told Edward that.
She only smiled. and made him think
what exquisite teeth she had and what a
sweet, dimpled mouth.
IL will be late" he said, after he had
watched her, almost greedily second or
two; .sbut what wanted particularly to
tell you was to meet me down by the sta
ton when the train is due tonight. I
want you to walk up with me. Will you?
/ shall have something tor you, ii you'll
have it,"
He looked in her happy eyes moment,
then pressed her hand, raised his straw
hat with such kingly grace, and was
off.
And May, all flutter, with her cheeks
burning, her heart throbbing with deli.
cious ecstasy, looked after him with
fond, blissful pride.
He was her lover. Elwood did love
| her. She knew it as we'll as if he had
said it in plainest English.
| And she?
Well, it needed not single glance in.
ward to decide whether her heart was
her own. He had had it these months
back.
So she was to meet him at the station
that night? May knew when his train
| was due as well as he did himself.
Would she go? Would she stay away?
She smiled happily to herself as she
decided the delightful question.
He had something for ner.
| All. there was the sweetness OF it all
for she knew he was going to give her the
precious gift of his lOve-the taking oi
which would make her SO supremely con.
tent.
She went back into the house quiet
and so happy, thinking, wondering what
dress she would wear, that she might
look her very best that Edward might
look at her, and think how fair she wds
to see.
|
That had been delightful ride.fOr Ed.
ward, as he dashed through the long,
narrow valleys, over wide, far-spreadine
meadow lands, under leaiy arches, and
over bridges.
He was unusually light-hearted, and il
seemed as if his engine knew and sympa'
thized with his expectant joy in every
throb OF its huge iron pulses.
| He had an unusually merry greeting
for everyone that trip, and more thar
one per in turned for a second look al
the handsome face, all alive with bright
fires Of hope and cheerful content.
There were three or four hours to spare
before Edward made tle return trip
the trip that would bring him to Ma,
Clifford's side, and when he had brushed
and washed up little, he went on 1
little business Of his own that took hin
into one OF the jewelry establishments
where he selected wide gold band tha
he was very sure was the size OF May'i
engagement finger.
It was very elegant, perfectly plain
and he had engraved on the inner sid
while he waited, the sweet legend
"May from Edward. Fidelity"
His heart was beating a little NOR
than was natural, when, with the Grim
son velvet case in his vest pocket, he re
ceived the sign, "all ready" and the bel
T rang for starting.
His brave right hand was actuall.
trembling as 1t opened the throttle all 10
love of winsome May Clifford.
!, On they sped over the rails that glide
, and undulated through the green c0un
try like twin silver SerD6ntS.