The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-11-28
SAVED BIZ A RING.


SAVED BIZ 4 RING.
AThanksgiving Stsry.
"My dearest Violet, what do you
think! Here is Captain Thornycrofts
carriage At the door. This bitter day,
too! What does it mean I"
Mrs. Rutherford turned from tho win
dow, and gave hor daughter search
ing glance. Violet simpered, and tossed
her red-gold curls.
"Chango your ruffle for lace frill,
and put on your diamond pin, my love-"
her mother continued, with long breath
of content, "and 60 down at once.
Cousin Nell will take your embroidery.
As rule, gentlemen dislike to be kept
waiting, 90 do not linger Violet"
Violet FASTENED to obey, while cousin
Nell received the embroidery in silence,
and bent over the frame, . rose-pink
blush burning in her fair cheeks. She
was only country cousin, spending the
winter at aunt Rutherford's.
"You see, Nell" continued her aunt,
grsciously, when Violet had disappear
cd, "this Captain Thornycroft comes Of
one of our best families, and is decided
~ the best match Of tho season and
you know, Nell, !" looking sadly pathetic,
and carrying her lace Handkerchief to
her eyes, "while it would quite break
my heart to part with Violet, naturally
feel solicitous about seeing her suitably
settled, and this Captain Thornycroft
is"
But further mention of the Captain's
eligible qualities was cut short by the
re-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, Cap.
tain Thornycroft cannot have gone 80
soon!"
NO, mamma, but We have made Q
slight mistake" replied Violet, with
studied indifference. "Csptain Thorny.
croft has called to SEQ Nellw
"Whst! Neil, do you know Captain
Thornycroft"
eyes, aunt Eunice, l know him"
answered Nell, demurely, and . minute
later, she was gone.
1t was sunset when tho Captain and
Nell returned from their drive, and at
supper, Violet's sharp eyes caught the
glitter of precious stones on her cousins
finger.
"What does it mean, Nell !" she ques.
toned, when they were alone.
at means that l have promised to be
his wife," faltered Nell, her sweet face
like the heart of June rose. 81 have
known him for over . year, and, oh,
Violet l am 80 happy"
"Undoubtedly! Let me SEQ your
engagement ring"
Nell held out her pretty finger, on
which the magnificent opal shone.
alt is splendid" said Violet, modify
II never saw . finer opal, and those
small diamonds are superb. 1t didn't
cost cent less than five hundred"
Nell ran away to her own room, and,
after having 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, q
wild, heartless spendthrift, whom, in the
bitterness of his sorrow and disgrace,
his father had disowned.
Nell was their all in all, and grea:
would be their rejoicing over the untold
good fortune which had befallen her,
Cor Captain Thornycroft was man we'll
worth the wining.
She wrote long letter, pouring out
all the grateful joy with which her in
nocent heart overlooked. The bells
were striking for midnight, when she
folded and sealed her letter.
A soft rap against her window pane
made her start and tremble. She few
to the door, and vas on the point Of
crying out and alarming the house,
when, giving frightened glance toward
tho window, she caught sight of . face
pressed against the glass. I: was her
brothers face; wan and worn, and
changed, yet she knew it in IN instant
She dartsd back, and raised the sash.
"Oh, Jack, is it you ?"
Eyes, Nell. Don't speak 80 loud for
Heavens sake. II any one secs me
here, l am LOST"
Poor Nell grew white - death, but
she clasped bis hand, and kissed bin.
He was her twin brother, and, despite
bis faults, she loved him.
"What is il, Jack :" she asked, tremu-
lousy. "Tell me, and Ill help you, il
I can"
ayes, you have always helped me,
Nell. I'm an ungrstetnl dog, to come
to you now. Poor little Nell l wouldn't
mind, only for your sake, and the old
peoples. Nell, l meant to do better; l
did, indeed. Id got into good quarters
in banking house, and l MAS keeping
dark till could surprise you oil. Bot
the old sins got the better Of me, Nell;
I fell into bad company again, took TO
whisky and gambling, and embezzlsd
some Of the funds-I meant to put it
back, Nell, but 1 can't, and, unless you
can help me, I'm done for. 1t will be
out in less than . weeks time"
Nell looked ct him with wide, piteous
eyes.
"Oh, Jack, 10 it % bad - that! How
can l help you"
~ must have mooey, Nell"
allow much, Jack ?"
"Three hundred and fifty"
She gave . little cry Of terror.
$50 much p How on earth could !
get that much money, Jack ?"
Thu 0ovaennvpa ont IL