The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-12-21
THE LOST RING.
A Christmas Story.

MA I'm - hONChJ oD0h NS
Wv yellow immortelles In 1t make
1t look like real star hanging there in
the shadow of the choir" said Laura
Winthrop, who was weaving a long
garland of evergreen.
1t was Christmas Eve, and the young
people of the parish were decorating the
church, while the choir was rehearsing
Christmas music.
"Miss Gilbert has both the eye and
the skillful fingers of an artist" said
Mr.. Herman Leeds, young man too
exquisite in his personal appearance, in
a voice which had something emotional
In its ring. He was always emotional,
and always particularly devoted to some
young lady. This month the young
lady happened to be Elsie Gilbert.
"Thanks, Mr.. Leeds" said Elsie,
laughing. 81 always did long to be
| appreciated, and now l really believe
THAT am beginning to be. No one
ever noticed my artistic abilities be-
FORE"
Mr.. Leeds looked tenderly incredulous.
Tom Hayward, who had just returned
from Europe, and had been in love with
Elsie for three years, bit his lips furi-
ously, and handled huge bunch of fir
as though he would like to have tried Its
strength on the head of this devoted
young man. Then, as If he had con-
cluded to be Indifferent instead, he drop
ped the bough, and joined group who
were trimming an arched window on
the other side of the house. But he
could not refrain from casting jealous
glances over his shoulder. Elsie and
shat idiot Leeds,'' as he always dubbed
him in his mind, were, to all seeming,
enjoying lively bit of filtration in a
little bower of green which stood tenn
porally in dusky corner.
"Peace on earth, good will toward
men, sweetly chanted the choir, as if
in rebuke to his angry and excited
feelings. But the holy Christmas music
found no echo in his breast.
60 Mr.. Hayward, please come here
and help us make these provoking let
ters," called Laura Winthrop. They
have enough workers on that side of the
house already, and we shall not allow
you to desert your post. u
Mr.. Leeds is such an efficient work.
er, that / did not suppose you needed
my poor assistance" said he, with a
touch of sarcasm in his voice, though
he came back to her.
"Well, you see, Hayward, you haven't
had the experience that have. Now 1
assist nearly all the prominent ladies in
our society In decorating for receptions
and that sort of thing. Mrs. Marchmont
always says, o Mr.. Leeds, what should
do without your tastep 1t Is to you 1
owe all my success in my little enter
tainments,'" said Mr.. Leeds, with an
air of perfect complacency.
Elsie's eyes twinkled with fun. Tom
experienced q great sense of relief.
Z" She cannot care for such puppy
he thought, "she is amusing herself
with him."
But the next minute he caught the
gleam Of Elsie's ring on his finger, the
odd little serpent ring which he himself
had given her as parting gift on his
departure for Europe year and half
ago. There had been no engagement
between them. Elsie wasn't quite sure
that she cared for him enough to marry
him, she said, and he might see some
one, during his absence, who would
cause him to forget her. She thought 1t
would be better to let the long parting
serve as test Of their affection for each
other. But she consented to wear his
ring until she should care for some one
else more than she cared for him. And