Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-05-09
Her Engagement Ring

to be married to young Dr. Harry
Raymond, the nephew of a wealthy
New York physician, whose extensive
practice was expected to soon descend
to his young relative. In the mean
time Harry went off on a long sea
voyage with an invalid friend, leaving
a betrothal ring on the little white
hand of the lovely girl who had prom
ised to be his wife when he returned
home.
The ring was handsome and unique
with its splendid solitaire. and Their
combined initials in tiny diamonds inn
bedded inside the golden hoop; and oil
course Fannie valued it for its beauty
as well as for the love of which 1t was
the pledge. But when news came TO
her that the ship in which her lover
sailed had not been heard of for many
weeks, and that it was considered lost,
having entered southern latl-
tudes, where terrific hurricane had
done fearful damage, then the ring be-
came 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
were almost dependent, had been
swallowed up in a bank failure.
1t became necessary for Fannie to
exc out the small remaining incomeb by
turning her accomplishments to ac
count.
1t was then that the thought Of
parting with her precious ring occur
ed 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-coune to her. il w''sl :
settled purpose.
Il need no reminder to keep me
true to his memory" she murmured
while heavy tears overfowed through
the long, curling lashes. and fell, gilt
tering rivals, upon the diamond which
she raised to her lips and kissed agar
and again with passionate fervor.
Having made up her mind to sacri
flee it, Fannie put on her dropping
hat and tied black veil tightly ovel
her sensitive face; then, with rapiC
steps, she left the house and hastene(
to the iewelry establishment arounC
the corner, at the windows of which
she had often stopped to admire th'
dazzling contents
Ts it your own?" asked the ole
man, with a searching look in h.
keen gray eyes at the young girl, VIII
had made ber request in such low anC
trembling tones.
"Oh, yes" she answered. simply, un
conscious of suspicion. at was m,
engagement ring" and she colorec
family, then paled again with painful
thoughts,
"Itis very valuable one for you,
said the ieweller, slipping it on tn
first joint ofhis finger, and glancing a
Fannies neat but decidedly shabb,
raiment.
"The gentleman was rich and so wa
| then" she answered. quietly, check
ing her rising indignation with tn
self-control which experience ha'
taught her.
"The gentleman to whom was en-
gagged to be married went away on
long voyage, and was lost at sea" sh
said, land then my father died an
left us poor, so that 1 have been oblig
ed to sell my jewels kept this til
the last. Will you please buy il
sir?"
The old man, a Scotchman, said:
"Umph, umph!" and polished nj
spectacles, murmuring, "Puir lassie
Then he told her he would yalu
her ring, gave her receipt, for whcI
she had not thought of asking an
told her to come back in the morning
About 10 minutes after Fannl
Gerard left Dugald Blaikie's store,
Young man walked up the ayenu
with long, rapid strides, watching IN
passers-by and the objects with hall
curious. half familiar and whoh'
pleased attention.
He entered Mr.. Blaikie's store AM
drew out his watch.
81 wish you would be good enougl
to examine this watch of mine, n
said. pleasantly. Something has gon
wrong with it all of sudden NJ
sooner do | arrive home safe any
sound than it became refractory al's
5 serving me faithfully through nan
, breadth 'scapes by flood and fields
pecially by food? l hope it is not OH
inous. -,
And the returned traveller laughs
as he handed the timepiece to the o'
man.
"Nothing more alarming tnan
! broken handspring" replied ~
Blaikie, smiling 1--WE will nave
ready for you tomorrow, sir"
And then, as he watched the s'i"ns
Ell 20 out, with his youthful, swlng~'