Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-02-20


nv father. All were so kind AMI cor
d IL to me that in few moments iei'
mite at home. The dinner was bril-
liant one. was engaged in an ani-
mated conversation with a charming
and very witty lady beside whom was
seated. wien suddenly all my yayety
aed from me. had just perceived al
one end of the table a splendid roast
fowl ,hata domestic had just placer
there. The scene Of the morning ana
the hungry look in my sisters eyes rose
up before me-. aud my heart was wrung
by the remembrance. The next instant
a portion of the fowl was placed before
me. IN the mentime the lady beside
me. finding l had suddenly become 'aei-
turn and Distant, gave her attention 10
nv next neighbor, and left me to my
devices aud the satisfaction OF my gree
DIV appetite. Imade such good use oi
the liberty thus accorded TO me that IN
a few seconds every trace offood on my
plate had disappeared. Dinner was
nearly over, when the conversation
tlrned on a lawsuit that my host had
gained for one of his clients.
Well said the judge, laughing, the
case is one of my best, III allow tut
client deserves a little mention, tos.-
Just look at the handsome present he
has sent me!' and he drew from his
finger magnificent diainond ring' and
handed 1t for inspection tn the lady VINO
sat next to him. In the midst OF ex-
pressions of delight and adnlation' the
level was handed from one guest To an
other round the table. and Mrs. Barle-
ton hal just risen and was proceeding
to pass into the drawing room, when
her husband exclaimed:
Ny dear. have you my ring ?
No, indeed Mrs. M-returned
it to you few minutes since.'
Bless me Then where eau it be =
he said. shaking out his napkin and
feeling in all OF his pockets, one alter
the other.
No one stirred from the table. and for
some MINUTES the room was filed with a
confused hum of voices ard the jlngl ng
ofkuivcs and forks. china and glass,
brought into violent collision by the ex-
cited guests in their search after the
MISSING i,wel. But the search was all
in vain the ring had certainly disap-
prared.
L see how it is said the judge. jok
ingly that ring must he some wicked
fairy who has malciously hidden her
sclfaway in the pocket Of ouc OF our
number. Now. am going To make a
proposal. ii you willard which you
would utterly reject II it came from any
othrr quarter but which you will ac-
ccde To. coming from An cccentrc mdl-
vdual like me-
Explain explain i cried all the
guests in chorus.
L propose. them, continued Our host
that before We leave this room we
she proceed to search each other, the
ladies Oh this side, and We gentlemen
yonder. Let all who object hold up
their hands.
And the word search all the blood in
my veins rushed back to my heart. and
a cold sweat broke out on my forehead
and lrickled down my face. which lrlt
hal become aShy pale. stood there
apart, with rush OF sound in my ears,
mist before my eyes, aud swaYlns t"
aud fro ike mau drunk with wine. -
And through il all. | could hear the
laughing voice Ofmy host counting tie
votes in favor of his proposal. Sudden
Is he confronted me, and said in a pc :
cular tone and with significant glance
at nv arms, which were tightly folded
on my breast:
And sou, sir; do you not approve OF
my suggestion p
Il do not, sir | replied, with outward
irmness, but with iace paler than
ever.
A silence as of death succeeded these
words. and every eye in the room was
tIrned iu my direction.
Il beg your pardon for this foolish
Joke. sir, said the judge, after pause
in tone / shall never forget. i woulo
rather be the loser, of ten thousand dol
lars than wound the feelings of guest
under the shelter of my roof, and,
moving toward the door, he added light
liz. gentlemen, coffee will be ruined i
we delay here longer
i Just as he was passing through thu
open door | advanced toward him.
lowe you an explanation, Mr. Carle
ton | said; you will hear me? Pra.,
do not refuse me. added, seeing hln
turn coldly away.
} He stood still for moment. and theI
, turning toward me he said brusqucly
but without looking at me:
Very well. come, and he led tn,
way to his study.
The door had hardly closed behind u
; when shouts Of laughter were hcar'
from the drawing room and before haC
time to utter word, Mrs. Carleton
burst into the room. holding the miss
ing rug in the palm of her hand.
: There is your RIM, she said, hand
ing 1t to her husband "a servant Ina
} just found it,
r Where = stammered Mr. Carleton
with look of stupelied amazement.