Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-11-01
The Romance Of a Ring

Sometime 40 the wife of mer.
chant was suddenly awakened in the
night by the sound of footsteps in her
bed room and the next momeLt the
LIGHT of n dark lantern flooded her
face 50 near that she could almost feel
the heat aud hear the suppressed
breathing of the intruder. Her hus
band was from home and the only
person in the house, except herself,
was a servant girl, who slept in the
story beneath. Her presence Of mind
did not, however, torsake her. 1t
doubtless requires great amount OF
resignation aud fortltude in n woman
to listen TO, without screaming, the
ransacking Of her store of valuable
laces aud the Appropriation OF her
iewelry but the lady, very nationally
deeming her life worth all the Lace
and diamonds in the world, quietly
closed her eyes and awaited the re
suit.
Ihe light was withdrawn from heI
face aud she heard the rnstling oI
silks. the picking OF locks and occa
,ioualy low whisper of surprise o.
Disappointment. Then there was sl
Ience tor a minute-jt seemed an hour
to hcr-and a soft foo'-tcp 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 motion.
less in its scrutinizing rays, fearful
that the least movement might imperIl
her lie. What Il moment of suspense.
The light was removed from her face
anil she felt that some one was leaning
against the bed. Sill 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
shriek. "Who ia in this room -
Hush - responded q voice, in n
strong whisper while rough hand
was lain upon her shoulder. Speak
nothing aud fear nothing The next
moment she heard the sound of re.
treating footsteps and the creaking OF
a shutter aud then all was sill again.
Satisfied that she was alone, she sprung
from the bed and touched lighted
match to the burner. then sank into a
chair. completely prostrated with dau.
ger through which she bad passed.
Recovering, she looked around to as.
certain OF what she had been plum
dered.
The drawers were all in the utmost
confusion, bu; strange to say, little or
nothing wss missing. \ casket of
jewelry was open on the bureau, hut
the diamonds aud gold were all there.
Beside the caskct she discovered 4
little roll Of paper containing ring
which had been given 10 her many
years before aud which had been IN
her possession ever since. Half be.
wildered at the singular proceeding she
was about to cast the paper from her,
when her eye caught the mark, of a
pencil upon it. She carefully opened
It and read
This ring, which once was mine
tells me in whose house 1 am. You
know | am an outlaw-the world
knows it and do not care to deny it ;
but fallen as | am, | can not rob you,
Maria. Forgive me, and God bless
you. Henry
This explained all. Falling on her
knees she prayed for him who had
written the scroll. And who was
Henry ?" Ten years ago he loved
that same Maria aud he would have
made her his wife-for she had prom
ised to be his-had he not taken to
drink and finally forged the name OF
his employer, for which he was given
home in a convict prison. When he
was worthy Of her love he gave her
that ring, and shc had kept it in re
membrancs Of what he had been. This
IS the story OF the ring.
Ga the return of the husband the
wife related to him the adventure anI
showed h m the note. but he has never
attempted to arrest the Durglar-Chi
cago Tribune.