The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-06-16

Ii was easy 10 imagine the mocking
reverence of the courtesy she now swept
him; then she was gone. Immediate
" after, and silently, he also left the
apartment.
They did not 90 too soon, whoever
they were. A cold Precipitation damp
ened my forehead; l really trembled.
The vehemence of the feelings engaged,
the certainty felt by the actors Of their
complete isolation, and my own inno-
cent guilt in oyerhearing, all quite over
powered me.
Half minute did not elapse after the
last sound Of the gentleman's footsteps
before the parlor door again opened,
and prim little woman entered, with
n lamp in her hand. She looked in all
the corners, rs one might search for a
dropped pocket handkerchief, and at
last perceived the newcomer
"Ah, miss, have kept YOU waiting
quite time, 10 be sure' But your
aunt took a sudden notion to put mus
tard draughts on her ankles-though
DR.. Richardson had just gone, and ne
never thought of ordering them'-and
have em she must. And | supposed
you'd be comfortable here"
"Quire comfortable, thank you.
The servant said you would come
presently"
"Well, you'd best have some tea be-
fore YOU see your aunt. She told me
TO give YOU some | shall try to find
something you like; though what with
all these people running about the
house that have got no business here
this company, mean-l don't know
whether ! am on my head or my feet. "
received the refreshments she
brought me gratefully, after which |
was conducted 10 my aunt's room.
Consideration for the feelings Of 9th
err people was not one of the old lady 5
characteristics, and after a few dispar-
aging remarks on my personal appear
ance, was dismissed for the night.
The sun was just rizen next morning
when | took courage to step outside
and look about me. The grass was
very wet with dew, but how it sparkled
in that fresh light All at once stop.
ped and stared before me. There
glittering in the grass, lay a ring.
stood like one fascinated, gazing at il
very foolishly, for | knew well what
ring ii was. Presently / heard some
one calling far off. and not stopping tc
think, / picked the ring up and ran
back to the house, all trembling.
At breakfast | endeavored 10 discover
the hero and heroine of last evening"
drama. Two of the ladies were sisters
tall, languid blondes, very beautifully
dressed, and very dainty. They trified
elegantly with their knives and forks
and carried on airy summer-mornine
firtations with two gentlemen, who
were each dark, and, like the ladies
dressed with care little too exquisite
The third lady, Miss Huntington, was ;
little person, with soft, pleasant, viSa
cious manners, in whose conversation
was always 4 concealed sarcasm. BIZ
it was far too Indifferent and too goo,
natured to belong TO the lady of las
night. Besides, her sweet mockins
voice was as different as possible from
the deep, passionate tones that had 81
thrilled me- And of the four gentle
men present, certainly not one at all re
sembled the portrait had painted fol
my hero. was puzzled, and felt sadll
guilty again as thought Of the ring ly
ing all silently there in my pocket, AND
carrying everywhere with it stor,
which knew and had no right to know
Day followed day, and the days melt
ed gradually into weeks. When thu
novelty Of my position was over, ]
proved not nearly so terrible As it haC
seemed at first. Aunt Agnes said man,
harsh things, but she did not mean then
all. and the goodness of her heart com
pensated in some measure for the as
perities of her tongue.
saw great deal Of DR.. Richard
son. He was more than kind. III
thought my life lonesome and joyless
and brought me many books that hac
longed for, and interested himself il
little things that happened, talking will
me often, and always leaving me hap
pier than he found me.
But there was one thing that troubled
me much. | sometimes fancied-an,
with unaccountable distress-that il
DIR. Richardson / had discovered TIL
owner of the ring. Certain tones Of hi
voice pierced me like a sudden pain
they carried me back so vividly TO tina
unfortunate hour in the dim little al
, cove. Yet when | looked into his fac
again, and into his eyes, so content, s.
frankly happy, this Imagination melte,
into sweeter dream. But il returne,
again and again, and always with deep
er pain.
The visitors / found on my arriva
were long since gone. Miss Hunting
don lived in the neighborhood; and ]
, would, perhaps, be proper TO say tina
we were becoming quite intimate. ha'
not all the talk and revelation been Oh
her side. /, for my part, had no ad
ventures, and il seemed to me not in
terestirg 10 offer theories to one wh'