Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-09-30
THE DIAMOND RING.

Jason. Immediately after my arrival, L
vas escorted up to my room, and then
Town TO the drawing room, where l found
Mrs. Patten, Horaces lady housekeeper-
lis duenna, an he was wont 20 cali her
md MIR. Fitzpatrick, the rector OF the
parish. Mrs. Patten l knew well. She
was most amusing compound of dignity
and iolliIy, and We were the best friends
In the world, though she always declared
that did nothing but make run of her.
MIR. Fitzpatrick had never seen before;
for, during my previous visits, he had
always happened to NJ from home. lie
was tall portly, elderly gentleman, with
a rather forid complexion, and II magnih-
cent head of perfectly white hair, the
effect of which was increased by pair OF
bushy and perfectly black eyebrows lie
greeted me very cordially and, as soon rs
we were seated at the dinner table, dis
covered that his forte was conversation
and his foible monologue. | have heard
some good steady takers in my time, but
am prepared to back SIR Fitzpatrick
against any Of them.
had noticed during The dinner that, as
is the habit of some widowers, he wore a
wedding ring which had presumably been
his wife's: and over this another ring, of
the kind usually worn by ladies, in which
set three very handsome brilliants. After
dinner, when Mrs Patton had retired, the
conversation somehow or other took a
turn in the direction of precious stones,
and Horace, who at last managed to get in
word or two, said something about the
difficulty of distinguishing, in the absence
~ NrsrA oil sFaall
executed imitation, and took from his
waistcoat pocket manufactured diamond
which | certainly would have pronounced
genuine. For purposes of comparison,
Mr.. Fitzpatrick slipped from his finger
the ring of which | have just spoken
and, after it had been examined and re-
placed, he said "There is a curious story
connected with that ring, Mr. Mason.
dare say you have heard it..
'Pve heard something about it, said
Horace, 'but don't know all the particu-
lars and | don't think my cousin has
heard anything about it"
"Well, then" said Mr. Fitzpatrick, II
may as well tell it to you, if you care to
hear it. The story begins and ends long
time ago. Ii is 40 years this very month
since became engaged to be married.
was then curate, and had not much
money TO spare; but had just received a
legacy or rather less than hundred
pounds; and in fit of extravaganza,
hardly exeuseble even in lover Of five
and twenty, spent the whole of it and a
few pounds more in purchasing ring sol
my future wife. We expected the engage
ment to be long one but the rector OF
the parish died suddenly, and my great
uncle, in whose gift the living was, pre-.
scented me to it. The rector's death tool
place in February. read myself in OF
Easter Sunday; and on the first of JUNE
we were married. l suppose every
newly married husband and wife thinl
themselves the happiest couple in til,
world; but I honestly believe that ",
really were so. We had not only eacl
other, but we had everything else that W,
could possibly deslre-a larger incom,
than we needed, work that was thoroughly
congenial to both of u.s. few real friends
number of pleasant acquaintance, ant
an utter freedom from all anxiety.
''This unalloyed happiness lasted for ST,
months, when my wife's health failed in
mysterious manner. She began to be sub
iect to strange fits of languor, physica
depression and drowsiness, which gradu
ally became longer and more frequent.
had advice at once; but the doctors seemed
completely at sea. The organs, they said
were perfectly sound and though the &C
ton of the heart was not quite as stronJ
as it ought to be, there was absolutel,
nothing to account for the symptoms. A
all events, they could only recommen,
tonics, gentle open air exercise, and al
occasional stimulant. In spite of then
ALL however, my wife grew worse ant
worse. At last she took to her bed an,
she had not been in bed a week when on
evening l left her, apparently much tn
same as usual, and went into my study t
spend compile of hours over my mex
Sunday mornings sermon. 1 had beel
down stairs only about three-quarters o
an hour, when my wife's sister, who ha,
been sitting with her during my absence
burst into the room and threw herself upu
me, eXclaiming: % James she's dead
Our darling Hates dead ="
"Gou can imagine the shock She cay
me but il never occurred 10 me t
imagine that what she said wa, Ycally trlt
thought nothing but the: the straia G
anxiety had been loo much for tir poo
girl, and that she mad temporarily lost he
reason. did my best to calm her an
soon succeeded, for she began to talk S
lucidly that | was compelled not only t
listen but to heed. She said that she an
one of the servants had been watchiny b
my wife, WAC was apparently sleepin
peacefully, when they had both bee
startled by o peculiar change in he
countensnce. They listened for the soun
OF her breathing, but heard nothing. The
had then held hand mirror to her moutl
but it remained unclouded. They ha
felt for the pulsation OF the heart. but
had ceased to beat, and her body WI
deathly cold. The servant had gone
tell one of the men to saddle horse al
ride for the nearest doctor while she ha
come to tell the terrible news and bid n
be calm. Calm was out OF the question
tore myself away and rushed up-stair
They were idiots-they We're demented
but still there was q haunting fear which
must dispel for myself. And yet l was I
sure that my wife could not be dead that
summoned sufficient presence Of mind
open the door gently and walk softly
the bed. | leaned over it, and said n
loudly, but distinctly; Kate, darling, al
you aseep?'
But before had spoken the last woi
was convicted. had seen death oftei
and was sure that knew it too well not
recognize it at glance. now shrek,
instead OF whispering; but there was
answer, aud flung myself full lengt
upon the bed in voiceless agony / mu
have become almost or entirely unco
scious, for 1 never knew of the doctor
presence in the room until felt his hal
upon my arm. He said My dear NJ
Fitzpatrick, you must try and bear it III
man and q Christian; for your wife
dead she has been dead more than
hour.
"How l felt cannot tell you. "
PROSTATE with grief, and PROSTATE
NAMED for three days. The necessa
preparations for the funeral were made
my wife's brother, and really was III
ware Of what had been done. On t
evening of the third day heard stealt
footsteps ascending the stairs, and / fe
rather than knew that they were the TO,
steps of the men who had come to Gle
up the coffin. heard the door ope
then for few moments there was silent
and then heard other, and lighter fo
steps descending, followed by tap at I
study door. | said Come in Z a
when the door opened, saw il was
old nurse of my wifes, who had come
see her living, and had found her def
If you please, sir, she said, giving
wife the old familiar name they cam
get the rings off Miss Hates fingers; a
they want to know what they must do.
II had been apathetici but in NOM
| was enrsged, and l shouted Lei
them on !" in tones which made the p
woman beat a terrified retreat. /,
completely unnerved by what seemed
outrage upon the remains that were
dear and sacred to me but could