The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-11-24

of noise. tried again and again, but
In vain. l 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 took the bell and
made the same Intellectual attempts to
draw 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 soft,
ringing noise"
Annie Ray Dear, sweet, true. clear
eyed Annie Ray! Why did your image
constantly appear before my vision.
whenever I touched the bell? And
when thought of you why dill the face
of that hateful Aubyn appear at tho
same time? suffered terribly I Was
engaged to the prettiest girl in the
world. She loved me and L was rich
enough to fulfill every wish of her.
Suddenly this stranger comes, gives me
talisman as he calls it, to test the
truth-and Immediately 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 winningly? My ef-
forts to repress these jealous thoughts
only served to strengthen their certain
ty, until at last grew so excited that I
could not remain where was, and de-
termined to go to her and test the won
derful little present. knew well
enough it was a stupid, crazy idea, but
then would try it just because I knew
my dear one was true.
But why did she tolerate the atten-
tions of that fop, Harry Aubyn?
In few hours 1 was pulling hastily
at the bell of the house of Annie Ray.
When I entered the reception room q
gentleman passed out 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.
I must have looked somewhat pale
and excited as entered Annie's room,
for she cried out, ooh, Gerald What
has happened p
Dear, beloved creature All Doubt
was dispelled as soon as saw the deep,
tender anxiety of my beloved one.
l kissed her forehead and quoted her.
s'But Annie, dearest What business
has Mr.. Aubyn here during my absencc? i?
| You know that I cannot bea- the fell
Iow."
"Why, Gerald dear, cannot prevent
| his coming. [ assure you his visits are
! perfectly indifferent to me, but I cannot
be rude to him, have known him SO
long"
There-gracious heavens WAS it i'm
! agination or reality? Did I hear soft
crystal ringing?
| succeeded in concealing my con-
sternation, and continued with forced
smile:
"And you really do not love him, my
little pussy Now do come and con-
fess, that at one time you did love your
schoolmate Aubyn, just a little bit. /"
"Why what is the matter with you,
Gerald ? you look SO strange! Iassure
you Harry Aubyn has always been In
different to me-.
Ting-a-ling Ting-a-lingl Ting-a-
ling I" came from my pocket. I felt my
blood rising, but I forced myself to be
quiet.
"And you love your poor Gerald,
more than anybody else, even more than
your schoolmate, whom you havoknown
80 long?"
"How silly you are. Gerald o.
course 1 love you above everybody else.
And she kissed me fondly on my fore
head.
"Tng-a-ling =! Ting-a-ling Ting
a-ling r. spoke my little bell this time
perfectly clear and distinct Every tone
of its voice made me shudder and grow
sick at heart. I 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. Ny eyes have been opened in
time to prevent your laughing over the
easily deceived Gerald Massey"
"Gerald, are you beside yoursef?"
"Not entirely; but a week after the
wedding would have been, deceiver
But now I know you'll 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 was
bowed. She played her part excellently
"What can you mean, Gerald? ]
have never deceived you, not even in my
inmost thoughts. If you have any proof
of my duplicity let me know it, but dc
not heap accusations upon me in this
way"
"My proofs are here |" cried, hold
ing the bell on high triumphantly-des-
pairingly. "Here, look at this talisman
and tremble, falsest of your sex
"But, Gerald, are you crazy? I see
nothing but bell.
"And this bell, as you call it, has told
me within the last hour that you are a
wretched woman"
She sprang upon me like tiger, forced
the bell out of my hand, and flung ii
with ali her might upon the floor.
A crash like the bursting of thou
sand ombskells-amedley of laundering
bells that seemed to shake the earth to
its foundation-then looked up, and
saw Gen. Dudley standing at my
side.
"Mr. Massey, the supper bell has been
ringing ten minutes, but you seemed to
be sleeping so soundly that you did moi
hear it. Please come" So it was only
a-dream. No shabby friend-no tails.
man, no deceitful Annie Ray. / rubbed
my eyes-and went to supper.
Not until we had been married foul
weeks did tell my Annie the dream in
which 1 doubted her honesty.-Irans'
lated from the German.
A Sweet Thing Does 1t up Brown.