The Van Buren press., 1877-12-18
you get it for yourselfi The old folks
would give you anything"

you get it for yourselfi The old folk,
would give you anything
mo, Jack; / couldn't do that"
"Then l must face the worst, Nell, I've
half mind to blow my worthless brains
out. and have done whit"
ooh, Jack, hush! Maybe can helr
you, Let me think"
She clasped her hands in agony of ir,
resolution, the flashing opal shining or
her finger.
"Violet said she thought it was worth
$500, and she Knows she thought al
might borrow something on it, or sell il
What shall do ?"
II won't keep you here IN the cold
poor little Nell" said her brother, turn.
ing his haggard face away from her. I'm
a villain for coming to you at all. I'll
stand to it. let the worst come. I'll gel
OF, IL can, and whel the story gets
anoat, Nell, try and remNmber that did
not intend to steal it. was sure could
put the money back. Good bye. Nell"
"Come back, Jack. Ithink-I'm not
sure-but maybe l can help you. Where
can l see you, tomorrow night2 You
mustn't come here"
g On the old bridge, Nell; it is quiet,
there. What hour?"
About nine. Jack. Good bye; you'd
better go, now"
Heaven bless you, NELL"
The window cloned and Jack disap-
peared falling on her knees by the bed
side. poor little Nell sobbed as if he I
heart would break.
"It is my duty to tell you, Capt. Thor
nycroft, though you may fancy how un
pleasant it is" exclaimed Miss Violet, a
few days after.
She had met the captain by an APP
pointment Of her own making.
I" 1t is my duty to warn you. I'm afraid
very much afraid, Captain Thornycroft,
that Nell is deceivng you. She is my
cousin, but her actions of late have been
so unaccountable that mamma has decid-
cd to send her back home to Maple
wood" tfH
The Captains dark check flushed and
his eyes flashed.
" So this is why you have sent for me,
Miss Rutherford he said hotly, "to
SANDER my promised wife9 beg your
pardon, but 1don't wish to hear, neither
will l believe single word sgainst her. Z"
Violet laughed softly. "Spoken like
a loyal lover, and gentleman. All the
same, Captain Thornycraft; it is my duty
to tell the truth Nell vent to Wicherly
bridge, after dark, two nights in success
ion. and met some unknown man more
than that, she has sold her engagement
ring"
"You seem to have been playing spy
pretty closely. Miss Rutherford /"
You don't believe me. Captain Thor.
nycroftY
every we'll. Go to Graham l. Dalton
and ask for proof. You will find that !
am not slandering my cousin F"
Miss Rutherford swept away, her pale
cold eyes full of exultation, and Captain
Thornycroft stalked out Of the house,
jumped into his carriage, and drove strait
to Graham 4 Dalton's.
"Show me some opal rings" The
clerk obeyed with alacrity.
This one, SIR he said, picking up
the finest article in the case, +" has an in.
scription. 1t was only brought in a day
or two ago, aud we have neglected to eff
face it,
The captain examined 1t with flush Of
rage and pain IN his checks. 1t was Nell's
engagement ring.
"If you like it." pursued the obliging
salesman, @ we'll efface the name at once.
1t is really superb article"
mo matter, III take it as it u.s." said
the captain; and he bought it back for
an extravagant price.
His next step was to 60 in search Of
Nell He found her just leaving her
aunt's house
al am going to Maplewood," she said
looking mp to him with wistful eyes,
+" Aunt Ruthel ford has just sent me
away"
Captain Thornycroft gave her bis arm.
4" Now, Nell" he said, "tell me what it
all means. Why did you sell the opal
ring9"
9 l was obliged to have some money.
Please. Arthur, don't ask me any more
l can't tell"
Her face was scarlet; her downcast
eyes full Of tears.
"You can't tell me, Nell e said the
Captain, giving her keen glance.
8" would rather not; but, dear Ar
thur" she added. wisttully, touching his
arm with her cheek, if you will only
trust me little, all will be well. Can't
you, Arthur? Surely, under the circum
stances, could trust you"
~ don't know, Nell l dislike con-
cealments above all things replied her
lover, STORMY. 1--we right to ask an
explanation of your conduct. l don't
care to make even you my wife under a
cloud Of deception"
"That will do, Captain Thornycroft,"
interrupted Nell, sudden fash in her
gentle eyes; "there is no compulsion IN
the case You are free; will return
your letters the first hour reach home.
And some day." she sddcd, with stiaed
sob, " l will repay the value of your opal
ring Good bye, Ceptain Thornycraft. +"
She was gone. The Captain watched her
light figure till it disappeared. ...
$50 it all ends" he mattered between
his teeth. "Is there woman on earth
worthy Of woman's lover"
Nell went home to Maplewood. and
the same week Captain Thornycroft re-
toiped hia oommand