The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-12-25

ton to marry, but on tnae Gay he had |
been offered position in Cincinnati that |
would give him liberal salary.
81 was shocked and bewi;dered when
he asked me to be his wife; but, Daisy, |
1 had known him all my life; he was Ike |
dear brother to me, and l could not
dismiss him harshIy. Even whan my |
own sorrow came, l had 30 self reproach |
because [ tried TO soften my refusal by
words of sincere friendship aad atten- |
tion.
81 let him take my hands il his and
pregs his lips upon my forehead N
farewell careas. But as he did SO, Walter
coming to seek mo, sew him, and misin-
terpreted the action.
"He spoke harshly, and suddenly
pointing his finger accused me Of having
given me besrothal ring TO Clarence.
.'DeBildared and half angry, ] looked
at ny hand. The ring was gone! Al
nv frantic search through the room was
treated with quiet contempt as piece of
acting"
"But did Clarence take the ring2"
asked Daisy, breathlessly.
Ny dear, I don't know. We could not
fad it. Clarence died in Cincinnati.
Waiter left me in hot anger, and never
returned. Ny life was soon a shadowed
one I lost both parents and am now,
at thirty eight, little old maid music
teacher moderately contented, with an
income sufficient for my wants, and"
here Miss Pattison snailed-''very fond
of my young friend Daisy"
Daisy's mother was quite 81 much
pleased and excited as the little maiden
herself, when she saw the handsome gift
from Miss Psttison, and an animated
discussion, rs to the best manner OF al
tering the dress, resulting in decision
TO rip it apart and remake it.
It did not trouble mother or daughter
that their new boarder was seated in the
| p.rlor when they brought their work to
the table in the evening. He was quiet,
in The other end of the room, reading q
newspaper, while they carefully cut the
stitches that held the pretty opal silk to
| gether.
There we're, however, somewhat con-
| fused and surprised when he sauntered
across the parlor and took seat nearer
them saying sadly:
Opal silk! It's many years since I
saw one to notice it. They say opals are
unlucky. Your pretty silk may bring
you misfortune, Miss Daisy"
Daisy blushed shyiy, and yet the sug-
qestion troubled her The silk had been
worn when Miss Pathson's love dream
had so rude waking Perhaps
And Just here Dairy gave little start
and cry, as the point of her SCISSORS
touched something hard that rolled from
them, down the folds OF shining silk, and
| across the floor.
"What could That be2 Mrs. Cochran
asked, looking up from her work. But
Daisy, all excitement, had thrown aside
the dress, and was stopping to pick up
the glittering treasure her scissors had
released from long imprisonment.
ooh, mother!' she cried, quite forget
ting the new boaEaer, SIT is Miss Patti
sons ring"
"Whose ring?
Not her mothers voice asked this, bu'
mans voice, harsh and loud.
"a friends" Daisy answered, at last
Miss Pattison? You said Miss Patti
son! And you found it in her opal dress
Tell ne has the ring large pearl in it
oncircled by diamonds, and lettering in
side-W. II. to e. Pr"
"Yes," Daisy said, wonderingly, afte
having examined the ring.
'Waltar Martyr to Ella Pattison !"
"Walter!" said Daisy-'yes, his nam
was Walter 70
"She told you something-your frian'
Miss Pattisoni You wonder at me
:, dear child" and the voice Of the gray
haired man was low and tender: 81 an
Walter Martyr and that ring was N
betrothal ring twenty years ago!
It was strange to see him, the grav
elderly man trembling and flushed, hi
= hand resting on the opal silk, his eye
. fixed on the ring.
Twenty years ago! he repeated, g
t was married, was widowed, travelle
{ abroad, went everywhere, and had m
Il share of happiness and sorrow, made
fortune, and came home at last, onl
u yesterday, to find" here he sighe
heavily-s'to find Ella, Miss Pattiso
< still here, and her ring lost in the fold
l. of the opal silk she wore when last sa
a her. Who will say it was not fatalit
!. that led me to this house, this room
Miss Daisy, will you tell me what ELL
Z Miss Pattison, told you, that you kne
> her lost ring so quickly 2"
&c And little Daisy, her heart futterin
II over this strange romance OF middle ag
repeated the story she had heard, NJ
q Martyn listened with his head resin
1 upon his hand, shaded from the brigl
8 light. When the story vas finished,
looked up.
ii Thank you." he said. gently: ''wi
y you give me Mss Pattison's address
p and tie ringi
Very promptly Daisy granted both T
ID quests, but smiled and shook her he;
:, as she added:
IS ''And don't wear opal silk.
al 81 am not SO silly as that" she said
n Mrs. Cochran, when the new board
er left the room.
L Il am not afraid John viii quar-