Daily Republican., 1879-06-20

assiduous admirers. He followed her
like a shadow, and even after her en-
gagement to Jack Redfern, was little
disagreeable by his marked devotion.
After her marriage, on one occasion,
cousin Rob had excited Jacks jealous
anger. by making himself over atten-
tive to Phyllis, and some pretty hard
words had passed between them.
Never do it again, Rob, as you
value my regard, +" Phyllis said. But
Rob would not promise.
He took the finger tips she offered,
held them an instant, and then car
lied them to his lips.
J." How dare you y" cried Phyllis,
snatching her hand away, and flushing
hot with anger.
Rob laughed audaciously.
"Don't blaze off lite rocket, Phyl-
lis there's no occasion. We are
cousins, you know, and haven't seen
you in an age. Does that Bluebeard
of husband Keep you under lock and
key ?"
With toss of her pretty head Phyl.
lis picked up her rake, and went on
with her wedding.
Rob stood and watched her, admira-
tion and regret in his eyes. Why
could not she have been his wife, in
stead of Jack Redfern's ?
"Let me do that for you, Phyllis" he
said, after minute. "lf You were my
wife, you shouldn't drudge like
slave"
Phyllis gave him blazing glance.
.'But am not your wife, and glad
enough am of it," she replied. go
away, Rob, | don't want you here, when
Jack is absent"
Rob laughed an ugly, provoking sort
of laugh.
~ suppose not, Phyllis. You're
afraid heH come and find me here,
tn. Jealous brute. But Pm not go
ing"
Thea Pll 60 myself" said the young
wife, with dignity, and lett the gar
den.
Rob stood irresolute a minute, haH
regretting what he had done, half in
| clined to follow his cousin, and beg
her pardon. Something glittering in
the mould at his feet chanoed to catch
his eye. He stopped, and picked up
the cid opal ring, which had always
been q little large for his cousins tln'
ger
Ills first impulse was to return 1T to
PHYLLIS at ono. his second was to keep
bit, and pay her oif for treating lIsnl 50
scorntully.
He slipped it in his vest pocket, and
took his way to the village TAVERN
This place possessed great charm for
Rob. He ordered bottle Of champagne,
and then brandy and seltzer, and by
sunset he was not quite h'mself.-
Lounging on the tavern porch, he saw
Jack Rediern cosing down the road,
and wicked thought flashed through
his overeXcited hrain.
''lle's coming in. Now, boys" he
cried. 'Iook out tor some fun"
Jack came in to leave message with
the bar-keeper, and, having delivered
it, was Going oyt again, when loud
voice caught his ear. -,
"Here's to pretty Phyllis .Redfern y
it said.
He wheeled around like lightning.
Rob was Just in the act OF draining his
glass.
: "Ilow dare you triAe with my wifes
name % demanded Jack.
Rob laughed, ,sneeringly.
"When !. woman shows fellow IA
vor he dares everything" he answer
ed, and held up his right hand.
On the little finger CLEANED the opal
ring. Jack saw it, and his dark face
flushed crimson. He cleared the dis,
tance between himself and the speaker
with one bound, and before the bystan-
ders could interfere, he had felled Rob
where he stood.
"Stand back. Deighbors," he painted
as he tore the ring from the PROSTATE
mans finger. ''l'll have lGs life for
it,"
But the bystanders iuterferred, and
Rob was got out Of the way.
Jack went home, with all the bright
ness of his life dashed out. His young
f wifi. met him at the door, in the silver
shine of the spring twilight. He caugh
her, and Leld her at arms length.
"Phyllis,' he cried angrily, "wh"r'
is your wedding ring"
She looked down at her finger, will
, start, her heart failing her at hi
tone.
"Why, Jack" flushing and speaking
with embarrassment. 1t was Oh my
finger. hope have not lost it.
!; Her husband threw her from him
with mutterel exclamation, anc
strobe out of the house without a sin
gle word.
All through the spring night, from
the rising to the setting of the stars
Phyllis waited, but Jack did nots re
turn. She fan lied he was angry, be
cause her wedding ring was missing,
and wept herself ill over his cruelty.
Morning came at last, and Mrs. Red,
fern, Jacks mother, appeared. She
had the opal ring on her finger, and a
letter from Jack in her hand.
"Your husband has returned the
opal to me,' she said in a severe
voice. "His letter will explain the
rest"
Phyllis read the letter, and then,
with pathetic cry, "Oh, Jack come
back to me,' fell at Mrs. Redfern's feet
4 in a sWoOn
The tulips had bloomed, and were
withering on the stalks in the garden,
when she woke from that awful trance
of death. On her white thin finger
glimmered the old opal. Hearing OF
her illness, and bitterly remorseful for
the evil he had wrought, Rob had told
the truth about the ring. But it was
L l&.x, La. l.