The Osceola times., 1883-09-29
TIE ROMANCE on \ RING.
A Burglar Discovers Himself In tn, House
Of HIS Former Sweetheart.
Chicago Tribune

of HIS Former Sweetheart.
Chicago Tribune.
Some time ago the wife of a mercbon,
was suddenly awakened in the night bv
the sound of footsteps in her bedroom
and the next moment the light of n
dark-lantern flooded her face 50 near
that she could almost feel the heat and
hear tie suppressed breathing of the in
truder.
Her husband was from home and tho
only person in the house, except herself
was servant girl, who slept in the
story beneath. Her presence of mind
did not, however. fors:ke her.
1t doubtless requires great amount
of resignation and forti,ude in woman
to listen to, without screaming, the ran.
sacking of her store of valuable laces
and the appropriation of her jewelry:
but the lady, very nationally dccming
her life worth all the 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The light was Withdrawn from her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 rustlng Of silks.
the picking OF locks and occasionally A
low whisper of surprise or dissapoint.
ment.
Then there was silence for minute
it seemed an hour to her-and a soft
footstep 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 sciutinizing
rays, fearful that the least movement
might imperil her life.
What a 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?"
"IIush !" responded a voice, in strong
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 a shutter then all was still again
Satisfied that she was alone, she
sprang from the Red and touched light
ed match to the burner, then sank into
a chair, completely prostrated with the
danger through which she had passed.
Recovering, she looked round to ascer-
tain of what she had been plundereG.
The drawers were all in the utmost
confusion, but, strange TO say, little or
nothing was missing.
A casket of jewelry was open on the
bureau, but the diamonds and gold were
all there.
Beside the casket she discovered lit
lie roll of paper containing ring which
had been given to her many years be-
fore and which had been in her posses
sion ever since.
Half bewildered at the singular pro-
ceeding she was about to cast the pa er
from her, when her eye caught the
marks OF pencil upon it. She carefully
opened it and read
"This ring. which once was mirc, tells
me in whose house | am. You know |
am an outlaw-the world knows il and
! do not care to deny il; but. fallen as
am, | "annot rob you, Maria. Forgive
: me, and God bless you. HENRY"
This explained all.
Falling on her kIecs she prayed for
him who had written the scrawI. And
who was Henry"
Ten years ago he loved that same
Maria and he would have made her his
wiie-for she had promised TO be his
had he not taken to drink and gam
bling and forged the name of his en-
ploycr, for which he was given home
in a convict prison.
, When he was worthy OF her loyc he
gave her that ring, and she had kept it
, in remembrance of what he had teen.
This is The story Of the story
On the return of the husband the
wife related to him her adventure and
showed him tie note, but he has never
attempted to arrest the burglar.