The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-11-24

the same Intellectual attempts TO draw q
sound from it.
The whole day the little bell occupied
my thoughts, and the last words OF my
mysterious friend haunted me.
eff an untruth be told to the person
who carries it, the bell will make soft
ringing oise."
Annie Ray! Dear, sweet, true. clear
eyed Annie Ray! Why did your image
constantly appear before my vision, when
ever 1 touched the bell? And when
thought of you why did the face of that
hateful Aubyn appear at the same time2
1 suffered terribly! I was engaged to
the prettiest girl il the world, she loved
me, and was rich enough to fulfil every
wish of her. Suddenly this stranger
comes, gives me a talisman. as he calls
it, to test the truth-apd 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
detestable Harry Aubyn, who danced SO
charmingly and who could talk so win
ningly9 My efforts to repress these ieal-
Gus thoughts only served to strengthen
their certainty, until at last grew SO
excited that could not remain where I
was, and determined to go to her and
test the wonderful little present. Iknew
well enough it was stupid, crazy idea,
but then 1 would try it just because I
knew my dear one was true.
But why did she tolerate The atten-
tions of that fop Harry Aubyn9
In few hours 1 was pulling hastily at
the bell of the house of Annie Ray.
When 1 entered the reception room a
gentleman passed out from within. A
hasty glance convinced me it was Harry
Aubyn.
We passed each other with cool rec
ognition, but in that moment 1 would
like to have strangled him.
l must have looked somewhat pale and
excited as 1 entered Annie's room, for
she cried out, "Oh, Gerald What has
happened9'
Dear, beloved creature! All doubt
was dispelled as soon as I saw the deep,
tender anxiety of my beloved one.
I kissed her forehead and quieted her.
"But, Annie dearest! What business
has Mr.. Aubyn here during my absence?
You know that cannot bear the fellow" !"
'Why, Gerald, dear, I cannot prevent
his coming. L assure you his visits are
perfectly Indifferent to me, but I cannot
be rude to him, I have known him so
long"
There Gracious Heavens!-was it
imagination or reality? Did I hear a
soft crystal ringing?
1 succeeded in concealing my conster-
nation, and continued with a forced
smile.
"And you really do not love him, my
little pussy9 Now do come and confess
that at one time you did love your school
mate Aubyu, just little bit"
'Why! What is the matter with you
Geralda You look SO strange! l assure
you Harry Aubyn has always been indif-
ferent to me-"
'Tinga ling! Ting-a-ling! Ting a-ling3'
came from my pocket. / felt my blood
rising, but 1 forced myself to quiet.
"And you love your poor Gerald more
than anybody else, even more than your
schoolmate whom you have known so
long?"
"How silly of you Gerald! Of course
I love you above everybody else." And
she kissed me fondly on my fol ehead.
'Ting-a-lingl Ting-a-ling! Ting ling, -
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 myself any
longer.
Traitor" I cried, pushing aside an
arm which she tried to fling around my
neck. "Contemptible hypocrite. Yes,
Madam. My eyes have been opened in
time to prevent your laughing over the
easily deceived Gerald Massey"
''Gerald, are you beside YOURSELF"
"Not entirely; but week after the
wedding 1 would have been, deceiver!
But now I know you! I 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 I
cast her from me. Large tears rolled
down her cheeks, and her beautiful head
bowed. She played her part excellently
well.
"What eau you mean, Gerald2-I have
never deceived you, not even in my in
most thoughts. If you have any proofs
of my duplicity let me know them, but
do not heap accusations upep me in this
way"
ssMy proofs are bere!" cried, hold
ing the bell on high triumphantly.
s'Here, look at this talisman and trem-
bic, falsest of your sexl"
But Gerald, are you crazy see moth
ing but bell.
"And this bell as you call it, has told
me within the last half hour, that you
are wretched woman"
She sprang upon me like tiger, ioro-
ed the bell out OF my hand, and flung it
with all her might upon the floor.
A crash like the bursting of a thous-
aud hombshells-a medley of thunder
ing bells that seemed to shake the earth
to its foundations then I looked up,
and saw Gen. Dudley standing at my
side.
"Mr. Massey, the supper bell has been
ringing ten minutes. bnt you seem to be
Sleeping so soundly that you did not
hear it. Please come" SO it was only
a-dream. No shabby friend-no tails