Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-09-11
ed the elder sister. "I don't under

"You must have heard our father talk
about it. The family ring that ought to
have gone with the estates-a r:lby and
sapphire that General Hammond
brought home from Ceylon."
"'I ought to know all about it, Ellen,
[ daresay; but you were SO much more
with my poor father, and had more pa
tience with his stories.
"My father often tried to get the ring
and had offered to give Maj r Hammond
q large sum for it. But he was so vexed
with father for supplanting him. that he
vowed he never should have it; and they
say, sister, that rather than it should
ever fall into his brothers hands, he
had it buried with him, upon his finger.
Our father always said that if he had a
chance he would have the coffin opened
to see"
Maggie, who had retreated to a sofa,
and buried her head in a novel, reused
up at this, and joined in: 81 hope you
will auntie. | do hope you will have it
looked for"
81 don't know, my DEAR" said Miss
Hammond. II don'tapprove of violat
ing the sanctity of the tomb"
With the elder Miss Hammond q
phrase was everything; she delighted to
bring thing within the compass of a
well rounded phrase, upon which she
would then make a stand-invincible
So Maggie threw up her head in a kind
of despair, md ran off to look for Ralph,
who, when last heard Of was smoking a
cigar on the terrace.
"Ralph." said Maggie, as soon as she
had found him, and had submitted to
smoky klss-they were in the neyday
OF their young loves, when kisses were
appreciated, even when favored with
tobacco Ralph! auntie is going to
give you a commissioning go and see
about a vault at St. Crispin's, where
some of our ancestors lie
Il know" said Ralph; "they are 60
ing to pull the old place down. Ali
right; I'll do it."
Then Maggie went on to tell him
about the ring, and how Miss Ham
mond would not have it searched for.
"But it is a very valuable ring-a fami-
ly one too. 1t would be a great pity to
miss it, if it's really there"
Ralph agreed.
''Well, then, mind you look for it, sir:
only don't saya word to auntie, or she'll
put stop to it."
Z" I'm fly" said Ralph, with a know
ing wink, and attempted a renewal
of the osculatory process; but Maggie
escaped him this time, and came flee
ing in at the dining-room window
painting into the presence Of her aunts.
Since she first left the room visitor
had appeared-a Mr. Boobies. distant
relative, who had inherited some of the
family property, as before explained,
tall, grim-looking man, with thin iron
gray hair, carefully brushed off his
temples.
The aunts were looking rather seri
Gus, not to say frightened, and both
started guilty. when they saw Maggie.
leave us, my dear, please" said
Miss Hammond gently.
Maggie had just caught the words,
" No marriage at all, - from Mr.. Boobies,
who seemed to be speaking loudly and
excitedly; and she went out wondering
what It all meant. Some piece Of scandal
no doubt, for Boobies was the quintes-
sence of spitefulness.
1T is very dreadfuI-very," said Miss
Hammond. :: I never had much opin-
ion Of Uncle Richard you know; but for
the sake Of the young people, hope
you'll let it be kept profound secret"
."Sake of the young people!' scream
ed Boobies at the top Of his harsh voice.
" And what for the sake of old Boobies?
I'm the next heir, you'll remember
please, through my maternal grandfath-
er, Henry Hammond"
Mr.. Boobies had to Westbury to
announce an important discovery that
he had recently made. In turning over
some Of his grandfather's papers he had
come across some letters from General
Hammond, in which it was firmly as
serted that his son, Major Hammond
had never been legally married to the
woman known as his wife.
" What end do you propose to serve,
Mr.. Boobies, by bringing this ancient
scandal to light" asked Miss Hammond
with agitated voice.
" End!'' cried Boobies. "This is only
the beginning of it. | am going to a
court Of law to haye myself declared
heir to the Westbury estates under the
settlement"
in that case," said, Miss Hammond,
rising with dignity, you cannot be re-
ceived on friendly terms in my house."
sob, very well, very WELL" cried Boo
dies, snatching up his hat and whip, and
sweeping out of the room without
further ceremony.
AS soon as the door was shut upon
him the sisters looked at each other in
blank CONSERVATION.
" [ always feared there would be a
difficulty" said Ellen, TREMENDOUSLY;
"but oh, to think of Boobies having
discovered it"
owe must send for Smith at once;
the carriage shall go in and fetch him."
said Miss Hammond, ringing the bell.
Mr.. Smith, Of Gigglesham, was, the
family solicitor, ana the carriage was
sent off TO bring him up at once for a
consultation. But Smith brought little
encouragement. He had heard from
his father that there were curious cir
cumstances attending Major HAM
mond's marriage, and if Boobies had
put his anger on the faw-Smith shrug-
IL, oh