The Van Buren press., 1876-06-27
MISCELLANY.
The Story Of a Ring.
From Harpers Weekly ]

1t seemed to me the most unfortunate
position in the world
had arrived, about ten minutes be
fore, at the house of an aunt whom ha1
never seen, aud who was sick. | was II
be her nnrse and companion. Her sa.
want had shown me into this wretched
trap as l now called it, in anguish Of
spirit, though it WAS really pretti,
cheerful little room, opening by cur
tanned arch from the parlor, informing
Inc that the housekeeper would be there
Immediately 70 conduct me to my aunt
sASJlnt y a-roycrS --.t Straigar--.~
Two ner.or~ mad entered the room All
instant after had seated myself. 1t was
twiligbs, and the lamps were not yet light
ed. i was wholly invisible, and they ev
identity imagined themselves to pesess
the solitude betitting their conversation
The farce may as well end here" had
said a woman's voice at the moment OF
her crossing the threshold. "For my
part, | am weary of the play. l no lon
ger love you, and l will not pretend af
lection merely to feed your vanity, which
is as llimitless as your. impertinence il
persisting in attentions that you see de
test"
1t was the most intolerably proud
voice that could be imagined.
IL still love you, and you know it
And have far too much faith in you
former professions to credit the words
put into your mouth by the anger of an
unfortunate moment. You are utterl.
mistaken in your supposition. My low
for you is always" e
"Your love for me! You- love!" will
an accent Of angry scor4. that de6es de
scription. Never dare to mention t,
me again word that you cannot com
prehend. 1t is All insult to me to hear i
an insult that will not endure. An,
to cure your apprehension ofmy repen
tance, let me tell you that |, who 'knov
the meaning of this word you speak s.
glibly-I love some one else" 1A-
She stepped swiftly to the window ant
threw it open. There was an instant
silence. There was audible the rustic O
her sleeve as she tossed something fror
her with force.
! "I've thrown your ring away she eS
planned, with nonchalance in extraordl
nary contrast with her former violence
II threw it toward the cistern. Posi-
bly, it has slipped through some crevic
or other, and gone down into the water
hope SO. In that case it is impossibl
that the sight of it can ever again instil
me with the remembrance that l hav
worn it. Permit me to wish you an es
ceedingly good evening""
1t was easy to imagine the mockin
reverence of the courtesy she now swer
him; then she was gone. lmmediatel
after. and silently, he also left the apar
ment
They did not 60 too soon, whoeve
they were. A cold perspiration damn
ened my forehead; l really tremblet
The yehemence of the feeling engaged
the certainty felt by the actors of the
complete isolation, and my own lnnocei
guilt in overhearin , all, quite overpowe
ed me.
Half a minute did not elapse after Il
last sound of the gentleman footstef
before the parlor door again opened, an
a prim little woman entered with lam
in her hand She looked in all the co
ners, as one might search for droppe
pocket handkerchief. and at last percei'
ed the new coEer.
"Ah, miss, have kept you waitin
| quite time to be sure." But your au'
took a sudden notion to put mustal
draughts on her ankles--though ID
Richardson had just gone and he new,
thought of ordering them and has
them she must. And ! supposed you
be comfortable here" 1
"Quite comfortable. thank you. II
servant said you VIC uld come presently
swell, you'd best have some tea b
fore you see your aunt She told Inc !
give you some. l shall try to iind som
thing you like ;'though what with all the
people flying about the house that ha