The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-05-29


be his wife. Upon my finger was his
betrothal ring, a large pearl encircled by
diamonds. 1t was trihe too large, but
after Walter put 1t on with loving words
would not let him take it off, promis-
ing to buy guard for it the next day.
"The evening was half over, when
Clarence, who had been waltzing with
me, drew me into small room leading
out of the crowded parlors and to my un-
feigned surprise told me he loved me.
" He had never before been in posi-
ton to marry, but on that day he had
been offered position in Cincinnati
that would give him liberal salary.
&C L was shocked and bewildered when
he asked me to be his wife; but, Daisy
had known him all my life, he was
like dear brother to me, and 1 could
not dismiss him harshly. Even when
my own sorrow came, had no self-re-
proach because 1 tried to soften my re-
fusal by words of sincere friendship and
affection.
{" 1 let him take my hand in his and
press his lips upon my forehead in a
farewell caress. But, as he did so,
Walter, coming to seek me, saw him,
and misinterpreted the action.
C. He spoke harshly, and suddenly
pointing to my finger, assused me of
having given my betrothal ring to Clar-
ence.
Bewildered and half angry, looked
at my hand. The ring was gonel All
my frantic search through the room was
treated with quiet contempt,as piece of
acting"
"But did Clarence take the ring ?"
asked Daisy, breathlessly.
MY dear, do not know. We could
not find it. Clarence died in Cincinnati.
Walter left me in hot anger, and never
returned. My life was soon q shadowed
one; / lost both parents, and am now,a
thirty eight, a little old maid music
teacher, moderately contented, with an
income sufficient for my wants, and"
here Miss Pattison smiled very fond
of my young friend, Daisy"
Daisy's mother was quite as much
pleased and excited as the little maiden
herself when she saw the handsome gift
from Miss Pattison, and an animated
discussion, as to the best manner of alter
ing the dress, resulted in decision to
rip it apart and remake it.
1t did not trouble mother or daughter,
that their new boarder was seated in the
parlor when they brought their work to
the table in the evening. He was quite
at the other end of the room, reading a
newspaper, while they carefully cut the
stitches that held the pretty opal silk
together.
They were, however, somewhat con-
fused and surprised when he sauntered
across the parlor, and took seat near
them, saying, sadly:
"Opal silk !! 1t is many years since
saw one to notice it. They say opals are
unlucky. Your pretty silk may-bring
you misfortune, Miss Daisy"
Daisy blushed shyly, and yet the sug-
gestion troubled her. The silk had been
worn when Miss Pattison's love dream
had so rude waking Perhaps
And just here Daisy gave little start
and cry, as the point of her scissors
touched something hard, that rolled
from them, down the folds of shining
silk, and across the floor.
What could it be?" Mrs. Cochran
asked, looking up from her work. But
Daisy, all excitement, had thrown aside
the dress, and was STOPPING to pick up
the glittering treasure her scissors had
released from long imprisonment.
"Oh, mother!" she cried, quite for
getting the new boarder. cit is Miss
Pattison's ring!'
"Whose ring?"
Not her mothers voice asking this, but
a mans voice, harsh and loud.
"Whose ring did you say :" he repeat
ed, as Daisy only looked surprised and
did not answer.
" A friend's,," Daisy answered, at last
Miss Pattison You said Miss Pat.
tison And you found it in the opal
silk dress Tell me, has the ring large
pearl in it, encircled by diamonds, and
lettering inside-W M. to f. P.Yn
''Yes," Daisy said, wonderingly, after
having examined the ring.
walter Martyr to Ella Pattison ~
Walter!" said Daisy" yes, his
name was Walter!''
g She told you semething-your friend
Miss Pattisonl You wonder at me,
Dear child" and the voice of the grey.
! haired man was low and tender ct am