Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-16
Srlettr0 StOrp.
A BRILLIANT ADVENTURE

The time was about fortnight before
Chris mas. There were not many trsv-
elers. aGd l had a compartment 10 the
early tidal train 10 my self. My destination
was Paris, my errand TO convey from my
father & London Jeweler aud silver
smith o. his agent in that city very va
uable brilliant ring. The di4monds in
it ere worth i've hundred pounds, if they
are worth u penny" my isthet hsd said
to ne; $50 hope you will take special
care ol The ring, Ned, and neither lose it
on Jhs way nor allow yourself 10 be rob
bed o. IT," smiled a little suPerciliously
IS ms father spoke. As II Il wo,e a, all
likely ,hst should either lose it or allow
il % be stolen from me l was Just turn
ing cr,-ln3-,werty, and nv father bad
- gi.h. 20 speak to ne Is :! were still
u hoy.
had 20. The ring sale 10 an inner
p0css, OF mr wci-tc1a,, as took care 10
assure myss't. fsom ;ime TO time. had
uvt seen j, slice my t4tAer pu, it iGto the
mucycNc.-.incd COX in which i, was still
shut up. Wacu | had faishod my first
ciG=t aud had co, through the morning
news. the thought struck me that ! nigh,
IS WEI have another look 81 The ring -
There could be 20 harm in that. YOU know.
l ,oos ,Aa box on, o. is hiIi9S-plsce aud
oocrcd f.. Nv eyes were dazl.ed as |
looked There lay the Iar.iug 10 lis nest
of purple velvet. Who could have resis-
ted tue pleasure og taking it out anI try
iug j, on? Certainly no.I I. First on one
finger a1d then on another tried it
Had j, been made for the third finger Of
my right hand, j, could not have fitted
me better. !, looked simply exquisite.
Now came to thick Of il. was there
or coa,d there be a safer hiding place for
the rius than my dagger? had only TO
keep my glove on, aud not a soul would
know anything about it, It was tar safer
there than in NY pockei. 10 such case
to hesitate was folly.s placed the ring
oa my finger, aud put the empty box
back IN my pocket. As I was there alone
there was uo,occasion TO put my glove on
iu.t then; so | unused and smoked, and
watched the many coloIed rays OF light
that flashed from the brilliant. and wor-
dered what great sweil's finger the ring
was destined TO decorate. How wished
lhSt could call il mine
There was no harm in dazzling the eyes
o. the ticket collector with it. lie was
only railroad official. Bat l took care
TO pull on my glove and button II before
alighucg from the train. a quarter OF
an hour later we weEe steaming out OF
Dover hsrbor.
There were not more than dozen pss-
sengers on deck. The day was cold and
clear. with just enough sea TO make the
VOYAGE unpleasant for bad sailors. Ouly
two ladies were visible. One was a stout
middlC-aged person, who was eating and
drinking Dearly The whole way across
evidently an old salt. The other was
well, sinply the most charming creature
had ever set eyes on. In point OF fact.
could not keep my eyes of her.
passed her and repassed her, as paced
the deck from end 10 end, and every time
that passed her looked at her. hat
lovely zrey eyes! What superb yellow
tai.' But as Tor her complexion, 1t
Wuu.d uved poet TO describe its wild
ltse AIMS. O4ce or twice her eyes met
iuiac iusl Tor 4 moment, and II struck me
thai they were full OF wiAtiul sadness.
So tar as could Judge she was entirely
alone We were about halt way across
When. as passed her for the hiteth ume'
she spoke: Would monsieur have Inc
GOODNESS 10 ask the steward TO bring me
4 lille coguac - She spoke In French.
As the song says: Her voice was low
and sweet | was too fultered to answer
her. could only bow and grIn' and
make a bolt lor tie stewards den. oi
course I took the eognac to her myself
You should have seen how pretiily she
thanked me. She slipped il as a canary
might DO If that bird were in the habit oi
drinking brandy. Il hope that maden-
oiselle is somewhat revived, " | venluitd
to observe, presently
Yes, very much revived, thanks 10
mspsieur. Bal am not mademoisei!e
lam q widow" She pressed her hsnd-
kerehief to her eyes SIS she spoke. How
interesting, nay, how touching was 'hlS
simple confession! The wisIiul sorrow