The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-03-24

the side Of Laughing Brook nay, TO the very
SPOT where he parted from Ada where he had
thrown her troih plight ring into the water,
Then she stood beside HIM, living, young
and beautiful. Then he was strong and nc
tive and full Of vigor. To-day she lay dead,
ashes midst the ashes OF her ruined home, ana
! he, halfblind invalid, sat there alone. And
all might have been SO different.
! lie put his head down upon his hands, and
the tears would not be crushed back from his
weakened eyes IF could only have died
with her." he said to himself, ait would have
been so much better
Meanwhile Ching Fo, who must have had
some sorrow Of his own, cried softly behind
his chair. But Ching fo's eyes were bright
even when wet with tears, and, as he wiped
them away. he caught sight of something
amongst the pebbles that glittered and flashed
with strange brightness, ana leaving his mas.
ter's side, he crept forward and stopped with
low CITY and caught il, and hid it in his
bosom.
go. have found IT," he cried.
And Reuben Eden, starting from his bitter
reverie, said, What have you found:'
"A little ring sir" said Ching Fo.
A ring!" said Eden. GIVE 1t to me-
Pardon" said Ching Fo. 81 found it.
Let me keep it,"
mot If it is what ! think it IS said his
master. ~ will give you another ringor
more than its value in money. But II it is
woman's ring, set with diamond with Ada
from Reuben engraved within, | must have
it,"
at is the ring" said the japanese. He
advanced and put it into his masters hand.
"Ching Fo,' SAID Reuben Eden, you are
good tender-hearted fellow. Let me tell
you why love this ring so we'll. 1t belongs
TO the girl who should have been my wife.
She is dead now. tried to save her, but in
vain. 10, was cruel to her-cruel, cruel
and this is all have left. deserve 1T de-
serve it,"
He dropped his head passionately on his
arm. But two smaller arms lifted II up. A
sofi cheek pressed his Lips touched his
SCARED forehead.
go, Reubenr' cried voice full of all the
tenderness Of love, you did love me, after
all"
twas Ching Fo who spoks--Ching Fo
who showered these kisses on the aching
eyes, and fondled aud caressed him-Ching
Fo and not Ching Fo.
"In Heavens name, speak again. cried
Reuben Eden, TELL me who you are
And though the voice only answered, mo,
no, let me go. 1t was enough, AIDA" he
said, and held her fast Ada, no, will never
let you 60 again. Since you are not dead,
but living since you have stopped to minis
ter to me in this disguise, you must love me.
Take the ring agaia-put It upon your finger.
have made n fool OF myself, but God only
knows how bitterly have paid for it,
II never meant you should fad me out"
said she. 81 heard that you could scarcely
see and you believed me dead. grleved for
you so bitterly and grand pa, who could not
bear to come TO the old place, sent me down
when he heard what had happened. We
we're not in the house, when the fire broke
out; we were away on a visit and before |
Gretchen-whose life you had saved-was
sensible enough to tell people that her friends
had taken her home. When | came down
here met the little japanese, who had been
sent to you by chance, and he really looked
like me. and was much my size. told him
you would not be a kind master, and sent him
to some one | knew who has wanted ser
want for long time, and bought two of his
suits. and got recommendation, and grand
pa thinks l am visiting Jane Lorne, and .,
indeed, meant to go away before you could
guess at the truth, my poor blnd-darlng.'
"And you must 90 before any one else
guesses IT, said the man, with a sudden re-
Of evil tongues. g But you Will !
come back to me in your own person? You
will promise me that, Ada--you will be my
wife"
Ada promised. That night the japanese
servant disappeared.
The next day the village was as,onished by
the news that Romer and his pretty grand
daughter were alive, and long before he was
strong of limb and eyesight again the MINIS
ter had wife over whose wedding.ring glis.
tened the diamond that Laughing Brook had
kept for her for two long years.