Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-05-28
Her Engagement Ring.

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Fannie Gerard had been engaged to
be married TO young DR.. Harry Ray
mond, the nephew of a wealthy New
York ply sician, whose extensive prac-
tlce was expected TO soon descend tc
bis young relative. In the meantime
Harry went off on a long sea voyage
with an invalid friend, leaving a be-
trothal ring on the little white hand oi
the lovely girl who had promised TO be
bis wife when he returned home.
The ring was handsome and unique,
with It's splendid solitaire, and their
combined initials IN tiny diamonds inn
bedded inside The golden hoop, and OF
course Fannie valued it iOr its beauty
as we'll as for the love Of which it was
the pledge. But when news came to
her that the ship in which her lover
sailed bad not been heard Of for many
weeks, and that it was considered lost,
having entered southern lati'udes,
where a terrific hurricane had done fear
ful damage, then the ring became q
sacred thing to her as the last gIft OF
the dead.
Fate had brought other trials to the
poor girl since the loss Of her lover.
Her father had died, and subsequently,
her mothers money, upon which they
we're almost dependent, had been swal-
lowed up IN bank failure.
1t became necessary for Fannie to
exc out the small remaining income BY
turning her accomplishments to &C.
count.
1t was then that the thought Of parl-
ing with her precious ring occurred to
her for the first time, although all her
other Jewels had gone long since. The
idea came TO her with a sharp pang
that was almost an agony, but having
once come to her it was a settled pur>
pose.
Il need no reminder to keep me true
to his memory she murmured, while
heavy tears overhowed through the
long, curling lashes, and fell, gllttering
rivals, upon the diamond which she
raised to her lips and kissed again aud
again with passionate feryor.
Having made up her mind to sacrifice
it, Fannie put on her drooring hat and
tied black veil tightly over her sensi-
tive face, then, with rapid steps, she
left the house AMI fastened to the jew
elry establishment around the corner,
at The windows of which she had often
stopped to admire the dazzling con
tents.
is it your own p asked the old man,
with searching look IN his keen gray
eyes at the young girl, who had made
her request IN such low and trembling
tones.
'Oh, Yes,' she answered, simply, un'
conscious of suspicion. 1t was my
engagement ring and she coloret
family, then paled again with painful
thoughts.
1T is a very valuable one tor you,
said the Ieweller, slipping it on The
first JOINT of his finger, and glancing al
Fannie's neat but decidedly shabby
ralment.
The gentleman was rich and so wa:
1 then,' she answered, quietly, check
ing her rising indignation with the self
control which experience had taught
her.
The gentleman 10 whom l was en-
gagged TO be married went away on a
long voyage, and was lost at sea-. she
said, 'and then my father died and
left US poor, so that have been oblig-
ed to sell my jewels. l kept this til
the last. Will you please buy 1t, sir ?
The old man, Scotchman, said:
'Umph, umph = and polished bis
spectacles, murm uring, 'Puir lassie =
Then he told her he would value her
ring, gave her a receipt, for. which she
bad not thought Of asking, aud told her
to come back in the morning.
About ten minutes after Fannie Ger
rard left Dugald Blaikle's store.a young
man walked up the avenue with long,
rapid strides. watching the passers.bl
and The objects with half-curious,
half.familiar and wholly pleased atten'
tion.
He entered Mr.. Blalkie's store anC
drew out his watch. .-.a
L wish Jou would be good enough to
examine this watch os mloe,' he said,
pleasantly. Something has gone
wrong With it all Of sudden. No
sooner do | arrive home safe and sound
than IL became refractory after serving
me faithfully through bair.breadtt
escapes by GOOD and field especially
by food (? hope it is not ominous,
| Aud the returned traveller laughec
as be handed The timepiece to the oil
man.
Nothing more alarming than brok
en main-spriug,' replied Mr.. BlaIkie
! amilino. we will have il ready 70