The Van Buren press., 1877-12-18
MISCELLANY.
SAVED BY A RING.
A Thanksgiving Story.

| wy Neotest SleIei, Wnal 40 you
think (? Here is Captain Thornycroft'
carriage at the door. This bitter day
too. What does it mean ?"
Mrs. Rutherford turned from the win
dow. and gave her daughter searchin.
glance. Violet simpered and tossed he
golden curls.
Change your ruffie for lace frill
and put on your diamond, my love-" he
mother continued with long breath O
content, /" and go down at once. Cousi,
Nell will take your embroidery. AS
rule, gentlemen dislike to be kept wait
ing, so do not linger, Violet"
Violet fastened to obey, while Cousin
Nell received the embroidery, in silence
and bent over the frame, a rose blush
burning bright in her fair cheeks. Sht
was only country cousin, spending The
Winter at Aunt Rutherford's.
You see, Nell" continued her aunt
graconsly. when Violet had disappear
ed, this Captain Thornycroft comes OF
one OF our best families, and is decidedly
the best match of the season, and you
know, Nell" looking sadly pathetic, and
carrying her lace handkerchief to her
eyes, while it would break my hear, to
part with Violet, l naturally feel solicit.
Gus about seeing her suitably settled. and
this Captain Thornycoat is"
But further mention of the Captain's
eligible qualities was cut short by the
appearance of Miss Violet, carrying her
head very high, and shooting blue fire
from her eyes.
"Why, Violet, what is the matter ?''
cried the amazed mother, "surely Capt
ain Thornycroft cannot have gone SO
soon ?"
"No, mamma, but we have made q
mistake" replied Violet, with studied in
difference. captain Thornycraft has
called to see Nelll'
"What? Nell, do you know Captain
Thornycroft p
Yes, Aunt Eunice. l know him." an
swered Nell, femurcly, and minute later
she was gone"
1t was sunset when the Captain and
Nell returned from their drive, and at
supper Violet's sharp eyes caught the
glitter Of precious stones on her cousin 8
finger.
"What does it mean, Nell ?" shs cues
toned, when they were alone.
1t means promised to be his wife,"
faltered Nell. her sweet face like the heart
of June rose. have known him for
over year, and oh, Violet, l am SO very
happy" .--l-
gagement ring"
Nell held out her pretty finger on which
the magnificent opal shene.
at is Splendid" said Violet. moody ;
I..never saw finer opal, aud those small
diamonds are superb. 1t didn't cost a
cent less than five hundred" ..
Nell ran away to her own room, and
after silly cry over her great happiness,
she sat down to write to her father and
mother, and tell them her precious secret
She was their only child, for her twin
brother was at sea, wild, heartless spend
thrift, whom, in the bitterness Of his sor.
row and disgrace his father had dis
owned
Nell was their all in all, and great
would be their rejoicings over this untold
good fortune which had befallen her, for
Captain Thornycroft was man well
worth winning
She wrote long letter, pouring out all
thegrateful JOY with which her innocent
heart ovelfowed. The bells were strik-
ing for midnight when she folded and
sealed her letter.
A soft rap against the window pane
made her start aud tremble. She few to
the door, and was on the point of alarm
ing the house by crying out, when, giving
frightened glance toward the window,
she caught sight of face pressed against
the glass. 1t was her brothers face. wan
and changed, yet she knew it in an in
slant. She darted back, and raised the
sash. .....t
ooh, Jack, is it you ?"
Eyes, Nell Don't speak SO loud, for
Heavens sake! If any one sees me here
am lost"
Poor Nell grew white as death, bnt she
crashed his hand and kissed him. He
was her twin brother, and despite his
faults she loved him.
"What is it, Jack p she asked trem-
ulously. Tell me- and Ill help you if
| can"
eyes, you have always helped me,
Nell. I'm an ungratefal dog to come to
YOU now. Poor little Nell! ! wouldn't
mind, only for your sake and the old
folks. Nel,I meant to do better, indeed.
I'd got into good quarters in banking
house, and / was keeping dark until ]
could surprise you all. But the old sins
got the better of me, Nell l fell into bad
company, again, took to whiskey and to
gambling, aud embezzled some of the
funds. l meant to put it all back, but l
can't and, unless you help me, I am done
for. 1t will be out in less than week s
time" ........
Nell looked at him with wide piteous
eyes.
"Oh, Jack is it so bad as that1 How
can l help yo2"
~ must have money. Ncll!
How much, Jack ~
"Three hundred aud fifty"
She gave little cry Of terror. .s
$50 much? How on earth could ] get
that much money. Jack p ,.
"The governors got IT,"
Father. you mean. Yes, Jack, 60 to
him. yourself"
"No, Nell; I'd die sooner. I'd have
to tell him what I've done, and that
would break his heart. He mustn't know
Nell" .