Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-05


cause II TEL nom oeautir,n nps; ana.
almost involuntarily, his eyes sought
Bertha's countenance, as she turned
over the book.
He could not but notice how the lad
ed look vanished from her face, how
her color rose, her eyes Frightened, and
the thought passed through his mind
that Douglas was right; that this girl
was lovely with q far more spiritteI
beauty than her elder sister.
After the sketches had been turned
over and the book closed, they sat by
the open window talking through the
long twilight. st. Lawrence had tray-
eled through many lands, and was an
accurate observer Of men and things.
Topic after topic presented itself-Ber-
tha's intelligent questions and bright
observations, sometimes fanciful, some
times serious, keeping the conversation
alive. Mrs. Dalton, unless she could
run on in her own way upon some topic
Of momentary interest. was too indo-
lent to talk, even II she had been en-
dowed with any conversational powers.
Lena had no idea Of any necessity for
exerting herself, or she would probably
have made some effort on the present
occasion. 1t was enough for her to look
and smile-and she did smile on the
young landscape-painter, making no
doubt but that she was raising him to
the seventh heaven by her condescen-
sion. "
They were sitting by the bay-window,
looking into the garden; the sun was
setting to the right, casting long shad-
Ows from the trees across the lawn;
bands of gray clouds intersected the
amber sky, taking a tinge Of rose on
their edges-a tint of pale, pure green
intervened between the gold below and
the blue above.
"What a lovely sunset! What glori-
Gus colors!" Bertha exclaimed, as she
sat opposite her sister, fronting the
sun. %
II think few people are sufficiently
impressed by the beauty of color" re-
marked st. Lawrence. 81 believe in
nine cases out of ten those who profess
to admire Jewels and flowers would turn
with indifference from the splendor Of
the sky, or with perhaps more casual
observation, chiefly relating to its prom
ise of fine weather. But only look what
jewel radiance is displayed before US
there-topaz, sapphire, chrysolite, and
amethyst"
"And the whole one great opal" sup
plemented Bertha.
81 believe your head runs upon opals,"
laughed Lena.
did I not hear something about an
antique opal ring that came into your
possession, and then disappeared again
in an unaccountable manner?" said st.
Lawrence, addressing himself to Lena.
ut is strange how reports fly about.
Does rumor this time tell the truth"
1.-The story of that tiresome ring is
Bertha's," answered Lena. 81 am sure
we have heard enough of it. But Ber-
tina, / dare say, will tell you about it if
you wish. l really have nothing to do
with it."
St. Lawrence turned inquiringly to
Bertha, who related all she knew Of the
circumstances her adventure in the
omnibus, her call upon Mrs. Lemont,
and the subsequent loss Of the ring dur
ing her absence, when she had found
Lord Alphington to be its owner.
"You think, from the appearance Of
the man who lost the ring, that he could
not have been the legitimate ownerp"
st. Lawrence. what
was it about him that made you think
soW
Bertha described the man, and st.
Lawrence remained for few minutes
as if lost in thought and then rousing
himself he thanked Bertha for her story.
''It is altogether singular incident"
he said; II shall feel much interested in
knowing if anything further comes of
it." -tHE
II will tell you if anything more is
ever heard" promised Bertha; 1.-THE
story certainly ought to have conclu-
sion-especially with the prophecy at
tached to it."
What is that?" asked St. Lawrence.
'tOnly nonsense" interposed Mrs.
Dalton. II wonder that you repeat
such stuff, Bertha, when you know how
it is that it can ever be full
filled in your case.'
1T is just because it is so absurdly
that do repeat it," Bertha
rejoined, smilingly.
Let me hear this absurd impossibili-
ty,o st. Lawrence requested.
Lord Alphington is my authority"
said Bertha. HE told me of an old
tradition in the family that whoever
wore the ring for three times seven
davS-I THINK that was the charmed
nllmber-would be Countess of Alph-
ing,on. Isinpose the inventor of the
prophecy believed the ring to be too
small for any but lady's hand. I won
Iter how long that little man in the ON
nibrs wore it on his bird s-claw-like fin
ger?"
The man seems to have impressed
YOU, oh.eryed st. Lawrence, looking
at i;"r,ha with an expression of great
i;;t"" #. q, if he began to see her in a
II v :cilr. Would you recognize him
Il yen saw him a"an?"
''lmm"'iiNteiy,' Bertha returned. II
shou i know him by his restless black
pres. too near together, his thin, aqui-
\" nosf. his thin lips, always in mo-
ON. 'l:,t his dark hair in little cork
, " .'Aris.1
US . litc :. :.li"s:lons how you notice
?" ; lae d. N"@rl!a, pus in Mrs.
-. - go. -Ap,, yet you are
~, y. t'l .,,.1t. You didn't
see that Mrs. Maxwell had on a new
bonnet at church last Sunday"
II suppose we don't all observe the
same things, mamma" Bertha said;
and a smile played round the corners of
her.lips
st. Lawrence was plunged in thought
for few minutes, and then he again
regarded Bertha with the same express
sion of deep interest.
did you wear that ring the approved
of days?" he asked, recurring
10 the prophecy.
Il wore it rather more than month;
80 l suppose the charm was broken"
she replied.
II think we are never to hear the last
If that ring" said Mrs. Dalton. 1.-The
irst time Mr.. Fancourt called upon us
lis visit was about that ring"
Mr.. Fancourt!" st. Lawrence ex-