Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-18

ger-rlngS, DIS OF twisted wire, and odds
and ends Of she knew not what.
:" That!-is that good for anything,
Mr.. Graham
ooh, yes; melted over, there is
enough gold to make very good ring,
Miss Phoebe. Do you know what the
stone is going to be?"
"NO," faltered Phoebe.
She came away with burning cheeks
and a restless heart. "What does he
mean? Does he intend to deceive me
about the ring?" she asked herself,
startled, and dreading she knew not
what? Was it that Doctor Conrad was
not a person of truth? She could not
bear to admit that, and so, being a
down right little baby, she told him
that evening what she had discovered.
Doctor Conrad WINGED a little-cer-
tainly.
az could find nothing to suit me in
New York, Phoebe. You know | went
there last week. 1t is difficult to find,
at a modern jewelers., a ring fine
enough for any purpose. Old gold is
much finer than gold we see nowadays.
4ellower and richer, and far purer.
The ring [ have ordered made for you
will be quite without alloy, my dear
Phoebe, and have set in it the most
beautiful diamond I could obtain in
New York. You will say that it is
marvellous when you see it. Trust
me-"
Phoebe was still perplexed, for it
seemed to her that it had only been
two days before that Doctor Conrad had
been telling of the ring he had
ordered in New York; but she " trusted"
This was by far the most comfortable
course.
1t was the very next morning that
she met John Walworth in the road,
face to face. She was. walking quite
slowly along. lost in thought, and, sud
denly raising her eyes, she saw John
silently searching her cOuntenance as he
approached her. She blushed a little
and passed him shyly; but she need
have feared no reproachesh His good
morning was as cheerily spoken as if
she had never played him false.
But from this time, Phoebe was not
quite happy.
She was thinking about her wedding
clothes, and trying to plan her dresses.
rich enough to suit the society Doctor
Conrad frequented in New York, when
she saw her uncle and Mr.. Graham
coming into the door-yard.
They stopped just outside the open
window where they sat, but the blinds
were closed, and they did not see her.
1T was yesterday he brought the
diamond" said Mr.. Graham. | recog-
nized it instantly, for it was still in the
setting. 1t was one my mother had
stolen from her house in New York.
She had Worn it on her hand for years,
and [ am as familiar with it as | am
with my own watch. L have said
nothing on the subject to this Doctor
Conrad yet. What do you know about
him, Lysander ~
Nothing, George" growled Phmbe's
uncle.
"Well, IsuppoSe you agree with me
that the matter needs looking into"
Certainly"
"Then you will not be offended if [
! tell you what [ have done. | have in
! stituted inquiries in New York, and this
Conrad isn't q doctor at all. He lives
on some of his female relatives
grandmother or aunt-who happens to
| have little money, and he is known to
secretly keep very questionable COM
pany. His title of doctor is just put on.
He don't know quinine from ratsbane."
Humphw
Now | have the ring, and shall not
part with it until"
The two men walked on, ana Phoebe
sank back in her seat, her face on fire
Then grew she very pale.
never can tell you what the poor
child went through with that day in her
mind; but in week she had quite lost
the roses from her face in the con-
fict.
| Doctor Conrad had gOne-aed the
town us soon as he was confronted by
| the well-founded accusations of dis
honesty-and Mr. Graham kept his
mothers diamond undisturbed.
And by and by John Walworth came
into the house, and hung up his hat just
rs he used to do, and kissed Phohe's
dropping face.
Oh, don't joint, who have been
SO mconstantr
"Well, | don't blame you" said John
A" He was q handsOmer man than |,
and you are young and Il woman, and
don't know much of the world. 1t was
only natural, | suppose, and mind you,
Phoebe, if I'd hOnored the fellow, and
believed that you would be happiest
with him, I'd never have crossed your
path to trouble you. But | never had
any faith in him. You're an heiress:
that counts-you don't know how
that counts, Phrbe, with some men. |
always thought he was scamp, and
after your money. That day Imet you
in the road"
Oh, John l was losing faith in him
thenr'
Don't cry, Phoebe. Only say that
you love the old John little yet, y
bending close, and with his strong
brown hands lifting the roseate face to
his tender eyes.
=" | am not worthy of you-you are so
good and sterling, murmured the sweet,
quiverins lips. "But, ah, John that
Doctor Conrad said one true word, that
is-that gold is best! 1t is-it isn' and
she lifted both tender arms and drew
the strong face down to hers.
A Mighty Mean Trick.