The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-02-25
THE DIAMOND RING.

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tel. Catherine nay father said, and the
strange, sad-looking gentleman arose,
walked across the room, and took both
my hands in his, then, looking me
steadily in the face and putting his
hand upon my head, he kissed me as ifI
had been little child, and, turning to
my father, renewed the conversation
that 1 had interrupted by my entrance.
was nineteen then; filed with Curl
osity and pique. went to find my
mother.
"Who is he?" / said.
"Your cousin john she answered, as
if that settled the matter.
But it did not; gradually found that
my mother knew but little more con-
cerning him than myself. A distant
cousin of my fathers, whom be had not
seen for over twenty years, living in
Missouri, where he had made fortune
in from mines and long Stree retired
from business; bachelor, with no near
kin-none nearer than my father; that
was all. Why he was in D., where
he was going, and how long he was
likely to stay, no one knew but him.
self.
went back into the parlor, and under
the pretense of reading a novel, took
good long look at him. He was appar-
emily about fifty years old; tall, but with
an almost painful stoop in his shoulders;
his face had picture of stony sadness;
deep gray eyes, long, faultless nose, and
mouth that seemed to guard more
bitter thoughts than any / have ever
seen. A strange looking man, that was
my conclusion. Finishing the inspec-
ton, dropped my eyes upon the book
and was soon absorbed in it's contents;
50 much SO, indeed, that when my father
arose and excused himself for a few mo-
ments, knew nothing of it.
How long it was after his absence be-
fore / became conscious of it [ cannot
tell. I only know that pausing for a
moment to turn the next page, raised
my eyes and found Cousin John steadily
regarding me. I thought that he had
the most unwavering eyes l ever saw.
When | looked up he left his seat and
took another near me, making at the
same time some casual remark. His
voice was deep, and he talked slowly,
but all the time as if his thoughts were
absent from his tongue. He talked of
matters in general, and l vas very much
interested-more perhaps in him than in
the conversation.
My father came to the door, but seeing
us so well occupied did not enter. While
we were talking night came on and
Cousin John, saying that he had some
unpacking to do, arose to go his to room.
offered my services, if they would be of
any use to him, and somewhat to my
surprise, he said:
Thank you, Catherine; girls are good
hands at unpacking; should like to
have your help"
So went with him into his room, and
then, unlocking big trunk, he deliber-
ately sat down by the fire and asked me
to partially unpack it. OF course fell
to work. / had taken ont few articles
and laid them on the floor around me;
then coming to small black box marked
''strictly private l turned to ask him
what should be done with it; but seeing
faraway look in his eyes as they gazed
upon the fire, I would not disturb him.
The box, however, was in my way, and
so [ took it out carefully and attempted
to place it on the table near me; but in
rising stepped upon my dress, and af-
ter vain effort to regain my balance
came tumbling to the floor. The box
few from my hand, and striking the OPP
posite wall broke completely open.
He started up hurriedlv at the fall ,and
after raising me from the floor, looked to
see what was injured. When he saw the
broken box a look of vexation swept
over his face, and he commenced to take
up carefully the broken pieces. The
contents of the box were letters and yell
low looking papers; he put them all upon
the table, then commenced searching for
something that was evidently wanting to
make up the original contents.
/ was still frightened, but / crept
nearer and began to search too. Almost
hidden under the rug, I discovered a
small morocco case that / knew at once
was meant for ring. l placed it in his
hand without word. He took it; stood
moment; every trace of anger van
ished from his face. then he began to walk
neryously up and down the room.
I stood wonderingly by the fire, not
knowing what else to do. At last ne
ceased walking as suddenly as he had
begun, and asked in voice that startled
me by its intensity.
"Do you know what that is ?''
shook my head. He touched q spring,
the lid few open, and the freight CLINT
ed on solitaire diamond ring-nothing
else.
raised my eyes to his in mute in
quiry, and for an inquiry he drew an
other chair to the fire, and motioning me
to it., said:
"I will tell you why the sight of that
ring stings me like serpents bite. All
my life, Catherine, have been lonely
man, having no kith nor kin nearer than
your father. and making but few friends
around me in the world. There was but
one human being for whom I cared more
than for myself, and that was Robert
Straford. Therefore when he, with his
young wife, died of yellow fever in Mem
phis and left their only child, boy of
ten, homeless, with the dying prayer that
/ would take him to my care, accepted
the trust thankfully, and took the orphan
child, clothed with the memory and the
likeness of his dead father, to my desc
late home.
Henry Strafford and myself lived to-
gether as father and son. He learned to
love me, and my every hope lay in him.
Years strengthened the mutual affection,
and brought Harry to manhood-myself
to the age of forty, silent and-ex-
cept to him-morose man. was wealthy
by that time: my business had been my
only care, and had prospered according
ly. was looked upon by virtue of my
wealth as prominent man.
Zone day was called upon by the
cashier of the bank of which I was di-
rector. He told me that his accounts
were in fearful condition; he had used
the bank money to speculate with, and
i'll success had involved him to large
extent Why the man should come to
me for help cannot, never could under
stand. At any rate, convinced that he
| had been unfortunate rather than inten-
] tionally fraudulent. / made the deficit