The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-03
THE LOST RING.

daO Dcen nv own mistress should
never have served Marie Rosis. But
poverty, the need of food and ranment,
the hungry mouths that must be filled,
were too strong for me, and engaged
myself to her. True, she asked no ref
erence; but why need she?
"You are poor, Louise she sand, with
II slight French accent. "Money is Of no
account to mel only ask you to be
faithful. I said that / should travel, so
you must supply your brothers and Sis
tcr's wants before We 90. I shall be
liberal with you. Take this" As she
spoke, she reached out six or eight half
eagles. I drew back my hand.
st is too mucl,' said.
"Allow me to be the Judge of that. I
know what will be required Of you2 I
looked up to see, if possible, what mean
ing lay hidden beneath her words.
II shall travel as fancy pleases,' she
continued. "One spot is as pleasant to
me as another. 60 in search of some
thing which have lost. 1t may be here,
it may be there. have nothing to guide
me in my search. It is all blind chance"
At first I was not happy in my migra
tory life. used to long for home
what had been homeland for the caress-
ses Of those I loved. But this did not
last long. Marie Rosis soon grew to be
the world to me, and / her bondslave.
Sometimes VIC rested for two or three
weeks from our travels, and then went
forward, day after day and week after
week, without stopping. l do not know
ho,,v lor. bod 1,ooo nth hnr ,,,hor r
discovered We were not travelling alone
that we had follower, who pursued us
from place to place with unwavering per-
! sistcnce. He did not seem to be con-
scious Of us. He never addressed us-he
followed us like shadow. do not know
why did not speak of him to madam,
nor why she did not mention him to me
| l used to think sometimes that she did
not see him. And yet, why not? He,
eyes we're too sharp TO allow anything to
escape them. Perhaps she was afraid
that she might alarm me by speaking
We were two women journeylng alone
with no one to protect us, and was nat.
urally timid. Still, about this man with
his gentle mouth and clear blue eyes
there was little to alarm any woman. Or
binary people, Madam Name did not no
tice; and this gcntleman's presence was
not marked. So tried to think no more
about him.
It was after this stranger came that
learned what Madam was searching for
A ring that had mysteriously disappeared
from her finger one night while she wat
sleeping. A strange ring, with garnet
heart for its centre, all that she had left
Of Monsieur Rosis. I glanced at her ir
surprise.
WAS it your wedding ring?''
"Better than that-Monsieur Rcsis gave
it to me while he was dying. He came
back to life to give it to me-:just as w
turn back when we have forgotten some
thing"
I looked at her keenly. Was the woman
crazy?
ale gave it to me, and said that &
curse would follow me if I lost it.
did not lose tit went away from me
but am not happy. Monsieur ROSS was
very hard"
"But you are not to blame for what yor
could not help"
"Ah! but if lover took it," she said
shaking her head slowly. ~ had faller
to sleep in the drawing room--.thc da,
was warm. When I awoke monsieur't
heart was gone, and the air was full o.
shadows. I've been searching ever since
for it,"
She began pacing up and down thu
room. We were stopping for week al
a hotel in large inland town. This con
versation had been carried on in the par
lor-a long, wide room, looking west
ward. As madam walked, I thought
had never seen her half so beautiful. She
wore a dress of some soft black stuff
which trailed ON the bright-hued carpet
This was relieved by gauzy scarlet man
tie, as delicate and filmy rs the wing of 8
butterfly. While she went to and fri
restlessiy the stranger came noiselessly in
and walked beside her. She did not no
tice him, but looked straight out of tho
window to the green trees, and beyond
them to the wide sunset,
| For myself, I grew angry and heated
at the strangers boldness. IF he had
anything to say to her, why did he not
speak2 What right had he to dog he,
steps so persistently2 At least, would
tell madam. As / started forward tc
speak, the strange gentleman raised his
hand to his forehead. and I saw some,
thing on it that glowcd blood red in the
sunlight. I looked at it eagerly and saw
the shape Of heart outlined on thu
slender white finger. My heart bounded
Here was the lover who stole madam,
ring. It should be restored to her, ans
once more she should know happiness
All, how frightened I got, though
While my lips were parted to speak, ani
my hand reached forth to touch his arm
he was gone, and I stood quite alone will
Madam Rosis.
"What makes you 30 white2' she asked
stopping short in her walk.
why, he is gone!'
"Who has gomez"