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

II ID = Vuloiu lOE COWAoS w yVo - ou.
Never mind, let the worst come I'll
get of, if l can and whom the story
gets afoat, Nell, try and remember that
didn't intend to steal. was sure
could put the money back. Goodbye,
Nell"
"Come back, Jack, Ithink-I'm not
sure-but maybe l can help you.
Whore can l see you, tomorrow night
You mustn't come here I"
ION the old bridge, Nell; it is quiet
there. What hour!
"About nine, Jack. Goodbye; you'd
better 60 now"
"Hezven bless you, Nell"
The window closed, and Jack disap-
peared and, falling on her knees by the
bedside, poor little Nell sobbed as if her
heart would break.
at is my duty to tell you, Captain
Thornycroft, though you may fancy
how unpleasant it is" explained Miss
Violet, . few days after.
She had met the Captain, by an ap-
pointment of her own making.
at is my duty to warn you. I'm
afraid, very much afraid, Captain
Thornycroft, that Nell is deceiving you.
She 10 my cousin, but her actions of late
have been 50 unaccountable, that mama
has decided to send her back home to
Msplewood."
The Captains dark cheek flushed and
his ewes blszed.
$50 this is why you've sent tor me,
Miss Rutherford :" he said, holly; 80
SANDER my promised wife. beg your
pardon, but 1 don't wish 70 hear, mel.
Their will believe . single word against
her" Violet laughed softly.
"Spoken like loyal lover and gen.
tleman. All the same, Captain Thorny-
croft, it is my duty to tell you the truth.
Nell went to Wicherly bridge after dark
two nights in succession, and met some
unknown man moro than that, she has
sold her engagement ring"
"YOu seem to have been playing spy
pretty closely, Mise Rutherford"
81 have. You don't believe mo Cap.
tain Thornycroft !"
81 do not"
avery we'll. Go to Graham l. Dalton
and ask for proof. You will find that
am not slsndering my cousin"
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
straight to Graham l. Dalton's.
"Show me some opal rings."
The clerk obeyed with alacrity.
"This one, sir" no said, picking up
the finest article in the case. cha, an IN
scription on. 1t was only bought in q
day or two or 60, and we've neglected
to efface it,"
Tho Captain examined it, 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
II is really . superb article"
"No matter, I'll take it a. 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
sunt's house.
Captain Thornycroft gave her bis
arm.
"Now, Nell," he said, "telI mo what il
all means. Why did you sci! tho opal
ring"
81 was obliged to have somo money.
Please, Arthur, don't ask me any more
Il can't tell"
Her face was scarlet, her downcast
eyes full of tears.
"You can't tell me, Nell?" said the
Captain, giving her a keen glance.
81 would rather not; but, dear
Arthur" che added, wistfullv, touching
his arm with her cheek, off you only
trust me littlo, all will be vol. Can't
you, Arthur! Surely, under tho same
circumstances, would trust you"
al don't know, Nell. 1 dislike con-
cealment, above ell things" replied her
lover, sternly. "I'vs right to ask On
explstion Of your conduct. l don't care
to make even you my wife, under 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; l will return
your letters, the first hour l reach home.
And some day." she added, with stifled
sob, 81 will repay the value ofyour opal
ring. Goodbye, Captain Thornycrcft."
She Was gone. The Captain watched
her light figure, till it disappeared.
$50 it ends" he muttered between his
teeth. ais there . woman on earth
worthy of . mans love ,"
Nell went home to Maplewood, and
the same week, Captain Thornycroft re.
Joined his command.
It WAS Q dreary Thanksgiving day.
Gray and overcast, the chill atmosphere
thick with fine snow-s wild, wailing
blast, tossing the bare maple boughs,
and whirling the dead leaves in every
direction.
But despite the cherries DAY. and her
own sad heart, Nell lit FIRE in the best
room, and made the old house at Maple
wood as CHEEKY - possible.
There Was no one to cot the Thanks
giving dinner, but the old people and
herself; but unselfsh Nell hiding her
own sorrow, strove 70 make the day
bright for them. She hesped the IRE
place with dry logs, until the flames
rosrsd up the vide chimney, and Iooped