Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-09-11
on taking it out it proved to be a plain

on taking it out it proved to be plain
gold hoop.
"Well, that's worth pound, that is"
cried the practical Martin, carefully
polishing up the treasure trove. It had
probably been hung around the neck of
the departed-a tall bony man--for the
ring was q small one, and there were
traces Of black ribbon attached to it.
It was a disappointment, no doubt;
and yet somehow the sight of the ring
had given Ralph little hope. 1t was
the wedding ring, he said to himself
his great grandmother's wedding ring.
The Major must have been fond of her
to have had her ring always about him;
and it had been buried with him. That
had given rise to the story about the
ruby. He drove home, after giving d.
rections about the disposal of the collins,
feeling less sore ut heart. He was now
convinced that they had right on their
side, and there was some comfort in
that.
When he reached rome, he showed
the ring to Maggie, who agreed with
his conclusions.
"But there is something inside
some letters, think" she cried.
at is only the hallmark" said Ralph.
having looked in his turn. "But stop.
That tells us something; it will give us
a date"
How can that be ?" asked Maggie.
" Because there is different mark
every year. See! You can make it out
with a magnifying glass. King George
in a pig.tail."
The silversmith at Gigglesmith turn
ed up his tabulated list of Hall-marks,
and told them ut once the date of the
ring-17G0.
"But it might have been made q long
time before it was first used," suggested
Maggie.
'"True; but it could not have been
used before it was made" replied Ralph.
g 1t gives us date approximately, at all
events"
At first the knowledge of this date did
not seem likely to be of much use to
them. But it gave them the heart to 90
on and make further inquiries. Ralph
threw himself into the task with fervor.
He obtained leave to search the records
Of the Horse Guards; and ascertained at
last where had been stationed the regi-
ment that Richard Hammond then be-
longed to in that same year.
1t was at Canterbury, rs it happened;
and that seemed significant, for it was
not SO far from there to his sweetheart's
home at Milton. Ralph went over to
Canterbury, and with the help of
clerk of Mr.. Smiths, searched all the
parish registers between the two places,
but found nothing.
The trial was coming on in few
weeks, and not scrap of evidence
could they get of the marriage of Major
Hammond. The other side were full
OF confidence, and we'll they might be.
Ralph had made up his mind to return
home, and was walking disconsolately
down the High street of Canterbury
one day when he saw over shop window
the sign, pilgrim, Goldsmith; estab-
lished 1715."
IL WONDER" he said to himself, "if
my great-grandfather bought wedding
ring there?"
A sudden impulse sent him into the
shop. A nice looking old Gentleman,
with long white hair, was sitting behind
the counter. peering into the works of n
watch through an elongated eyeglass.
Ralph brought out his ring. "Do
you think this ring was bought at your
shop?" he asked.
Chow long ago?" asked Mr.. Pilgrim,
taking up the ring and looking at it all
around.
"About the year 1900"
"Ah-h I can't remember 80 long ago
as that. 1t was in my fathers time;
but for all that, perhaps l can tell you."
He took up the magnifying glass, and
examined the ring carefully once more.
EYES," he said looking up, mys-
ferrous expression on his face, "that
ring was bought from my father, have
no doubt"
Ralph questioned him as to the
sources of his knowledge; and Mr.. Pill
grim told him at last. 1t was his
fathers practice to put his private mark
upon all the jewelry he sold. He could
do it in those days when his stock was
small and all his own. In these tim es
of changing fashions, when much of a
jewellers stock is on approval, this would
be impossible.
Ralph listened to these explanations
with breathless Impotence. Had Mr..
Pilgrim any books belonging to his
father which might possibly show the
sale? The old gentleman admitted
that he had lot Of his fathers old