The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-12-21

Farewell |"
He placed the bell upon tho table,
md, before 1 had time to answer him,
he disappeared through the door which
he quietly closed behind him. Me-
chanically / took the bell and examined
it. 1t was of the clearest crystal even
the tongue was crystal, but as pliable as
the finest watch-spring. | tried to ring
it. but could not hear the faintest kind
Of q noise. tried again and again, but
in vain. arose to see whether my
watch and valuables were in their places
and found everything as had left them.
My friend was evidently no thief. With
renewed curiosity I took the bell ant
made the same Intellectual attempts t.
draw q sound from it.
The whole day the little bell occupied
my thoughts, and the last words of my
mysterious friend haunted me:
"If an untruth be told to the person
who carries it, the bell will make a soft,
ringing noise"
Annie Ray Dear, sweet, true, clear
eyed Annie Ray Why did your image
constantly appear before my vision,
whenever l touched the bell? And
when l thought of you why did the face
of that hateful Aubyn appear at the
same time? | suffered terribly / was
engaged to the prettiest girl in tho
world. She loved me and | was rich
enough to fulfill every wish Of her.
Suddenly this stranger comes, gives me
a talisman as he calls it, to test the
truth-and Immediately l begin to doubt
the truth of my beloved one, which, ere
this, had never entered my mind. Did
she really love me, or my wealth? Did
she not encourage that dctestable Harry
Aubyn, who danced SO charmingly and
who could talk so winningly? My eff
forts to repress these jealous thoughts
only served to strengthen their certain
ty, until at last grew so excited that [
could not remain where J. was, and de-
termined to go to her and test the won
derful little present. | knew we'll
enough it WAS q stupid, crazy idea, bu'
then I would try it Just because / knew
my dear one was true.
But why did she tolerate the atten-
tons of that fop, Harry Aubyn?
In a few hours ! was pulling hastily
Mt the boil of the house Of Annie Ray.
When I entered the reception room
gentleman passed ont from within. A
hasty glance convinced me it was Harry
Aubyn.
We passed each other with cool
recognition, but in that moment | would
like to have strangled him.
/ must have looked somewhat pale
and excited as | entered Armies room,
for she cried out, ooh, Gerald | What
has happened ?"
Dear, beloved creature All doubt
was dispelled rs soon rs | saw the deep,
tender anxiety Of my beloved one.
| kissed her forehead and q-lietcd her
"But Annie, dearest What business
has Mr.. Aubyn here during my absence?
You know that / cannot bear the fel-
low"
"Why, Gerald dear, I cannot prevent
his coming. l.assurc you bis visits are
perfectly indifferent to me, but / cannot
be rude to hin, 1 have known him so
long"
There--gracious heavens was it i'm
agination or reality? Did l hear soft
crystal ringing
l succeeded in concealing my con.
steraNtion, and continued with forced
smile:
"And you really do not love him, my
little pussy? Now do come and con-
Tess, that at one time you did love your
Aubyn, just a little bit.
"Why what is the matter with you,
Gerald? you look so strange assure
you Harry Aubyn has always been III
different to me.
"Ting-a-ling! Ting-a-ling Ting-a-
ling !" came from my pocket. felt my
blood rising, but l forced myself to be
quiet.
"And you love your poor Gerald,
more than anybody else, oven more than
your schoolmate, whom you havok
SO long?"
slow silly you are, Gerald o.
course | love you above everybody else
And she kissed me fondly on my fore
head.
cling Ting-a-ling! Ting
a-ling I" spoke my little bell this time
perfectly clear and distinct. Every tone
of its voice made me shudder and grow
sick at heart. / could not restrain my
self any longer.
"Traitor," cried, pushing aside an
arm which she tried to fling around my
neck. Contemplate hypocrite. Yes,
madam. My eyes have been opened in
time to prevent your laughing over the
easily deceived Gerald Massy.'
"Gerald, are you beside yourself?'
"Not entirely but q week after the
wedding / would have been, deceiver!
But now l know you! | tell you, you
did not love me at all. During the last
half hour you have told me three false
hoods"
She tried to embrace me, but cast
her from me. Large tears rolled down
her cheeks, and her beautiful head was
bowed. She played her part excellently
well.
"What can you mean, Gerald? l
have never deceived you, not even in my
inmost thoughts. II you have any proof
OF nv duplicity let me know it, but 90
not heap accusations upon me IN this
way" ii,
HMy proofs are here !" | cried, hold
ipp the bell on high triumphantly--d9s-
pairingly. "Here, look at this tailsman
and tremble, falsest Of your sex
"But, Gerald, are you crazy! see
nothing but a bell" ~, .,,,
"And this bell, as you call it. ha@ told
me within the last hour that you are
wretched woman" =. .,
She sprans upon me like atiger, forced
tho hell out Of my hand, and flung 1t
with all her might upon the floor.