The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-20
The Lost Ring.

Had l been my own mistress should
never have served Marie Ross. But pov-
erty, the need of food and raimont, the
hungry mouths that must be filled, were
too strong for me, and engaged myself to
her. True, she asked no reference; but
why need shc2
"You are poor, Louise" she SAID, with n
slight French accent. "Money is of no ac-
count to mc-I only ask you to be faithful.
| suid that should travel; so you must
supply your brothers and your sisters
wants before we go. shall be liberal with
you. Take this" AS she spoke she
reached out six or eight halfeaglcs
drew back my hand.
''It is too much," said.
"Allow me to be the judge of that. I
know what will be required of you."
A little chill ran over mo. What would
be required of mc7 looked up to see, il
possible, what meaning lay hidden beneath
her words.
81 shall travel as fancy plcases," she con-
tinued. Gone spot is as pleasant to me as
another. 60 in search of something which
l have lost. 1t may be here, it may be
there. have nothing to guide me in my
search. 1t is all blind chance"
At first | was not happy in my migra-
tory. used to long for home-or what
had been home-and for tho caresses of
those loved. But this did not last long.
Marie Rosis soon grew to be the world to
nc, and her bond-slave.
Sometimes we rested for two or three
weeks from our travels, and then went for
ward, day after day and week after week,
l had been with her, when / discovered
that we were not travelling alone-that we
had follower, who pursued us from place
to place with unwavcring persistence. He
did not seem to be conscience Of lis. He
never addressed us-he only followed us
like a shadow. do not know why I did
not speak of him to Kadame, nor why she
did not mention him to me. used to think
sometimes that she did not sec him. And
yet, why not7 Her eyes were too sharp to
allow anything to escape them. Perhaps
she was afraid that she might alarm me by
speaking. Wo were two women Journey
ing alone, with no one to protect us. and
was naturally timid. Still, about this
man with his gentle mouth and clear blue
eyes, there was little to alarm any woman.
Ordinary people Madame Marie did not
notice; and this gentleman's presence was
not marked. So tried to think no more
about him.
It was after this stranger came that l
learned what madame was searching for.
A ring that had mysteriously disappeared
from her finger one night while she was
sleeping. A strange ring, with garnet
heart for its centre, all that she had left of
Monsieur Rosis. Iglanced at her in sur
prise
'eWas it your wedding ring"
sBetter than that-Monsieur' Roais gavo
it to mo while he was dying He came
brck to life to give it to me-1ust as we
turn back when we have forgotten somc-
thing.
Hooked at her kcenly. Was the woman
erazy2
''IIc gave 1t to me, and said that curse
would follow me if lost 1t. did not lose
tit went away from me; but am not
happy. Monsieur Rosis was very hard."
ssBut you are not to blame for what you
could not help"
'Ah but If lover took It'll" she said,
shaking her head slowly. s'I had fallen to
sleep in the drawing room.the day was
warm. When awoke Monsieur's heart
was gone, and the air full of shadows. I've
been searching ever since for It,"
She began pacing up and down the room.
We were stopping for a week at a hotel IN
large inland town. This conversation
had been carried on In tho parlor-a long
wide room, looking westward. As mad
ame walked thought had never seen her
half so beautiful Sho wore q dress Of
some soft black stuff, which trailed on the
bright hued carpet. This was relieved by
gauzy scarlet mantle, as delicate and
Almy as the wings of butterfly. While
sho won't to and fro rcstlasaly the stranger
palne noiselessly in and walked beside her.
She did not notice him, but looked straiglit
ont of tho window to the green trees, and
beyond them to the wide sunset. II
q For myself, I grew angry and heated at
!, the stranger's boldpess. II he had any
thing to say to her, why did he mot speak Z
What right had he to dog her steps 80 per-