Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-10-05
Miseellamenms.
ROMANCE OF A RING.

| Some time ago the wife of merchant
was suddenly awakened in the night by
the sound of footsteps in her bedroom,
and the next moment the light of a dark
lantern flooded her face so near that she
could almost feel the heat and hear the
suppressed breathing of the intruder -
Her husband was from home, and the
only person in the house except herself
was servant girl, who slept in the story
beneath. Her presence of mind did not,
however, forsake her. II doubtless re-
quires great amount of resignation and
fortitude in woman to listen to, with
out screaming, the ransacking of her
store of valuable laces and the appropri-
alton of her jewelry but the lady, very
nationally deeming her life worth all tho
lace and diamonds in the world, quietly
closed her eyes and awaited the result.
The light was withdrawn from her face.
and she heard the rustling of silks, the
picking of locks, and occasionally low
whisper of surprise or disappointment
Then there was silence for full minute
it seemed an hour to her-and soft
footstcp approached the bed and the
glare of the lantern again fell upon her
face. Through the closed lids of her
eyes she saw the light, but remained
calm and motionless in its scrutinizing
rays, fearful that the least movement
might imperil her life. What moment
of suspense The light was removed
from her face, and she felt that some one
was leaning against the bed Still she
remained motionless, nor did she stir
when the warm breath of the burglar
famed her cheek Not until his lips
pressed her forehead did she spring up
and half shrek, "Who is in this room 2"
"Hush !" responded voice in n hoarse
whisper. while rough hand was laid on
her shoulder. Speak nothing, and fear
nothing The next moment she heard
the sound Of retreating footsteps and the
creaking Of n shutter then all was still
again. Satisfied that she was alone, she
sprang from the bed and touched light
cd match to the burner, then sank into
chair, completely FRUSTRATED with the
danger through which she had passed.
Recovering, she looked around to ascer-
tain of what she had been plundered -
The drawers were all in the utmost con-
fnsion, but. strange to say, little or
nothing was missing A casket Of jew
elry was open on the bureau, but tho
diamonds and gold were all there. Beside
the casket she discovered little roll Of
paper containing a ring which had been
given to her many years before, and
bad been in her possession ever since.
Half bewildered at the singular proceed
ing, she was about to cast tho paper from
her when her eye caught the marks of a
pencil upon il. She carefully opened il
and read:
''This ring, which once was mine,
tells me in whose house | am. You
know | am an outlaw--tbo world knows
it, and ! do not care to deny it but
fallen as | am, caunot rob you, Marin.
Forgive me, and God bless you
HEsaY"
This explained all. Falling on hor
knees, she prayed for him who had writ
ten the scroll And who was "llonry 2"
Ten years ago he loved that same Maria,
and he would have made her his wife
for she had promised to be his--had he
not taken to drink and gambling, and |
finally forged the name of his employer,
for which he was given home in con-
vict prison. When he was worthy Of
her love he gave her that ring, and she
had kept it in remembrance of what he
had been. This is the story of the ring. |
On the return Of the husband the wife |
related to him tho adventure and showed
him the note but he has never at
tempted to arrest the burglar--Courier-
In,...u...J