The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-06

ined to save her from annoyance il
possible.
His good intention was not mis-
placed. When Josie Harte reached
the dingy door of her humble home,
she said to Edward Lowell, with sin
cere fervor:
Il shall never forget your kind
ness" =
"Our last drive in the park" said
Frederika, turning her dark eyes,
sufficiently eloquent of affection to
satisfy the most exacting lover, upon
Edward Lowell.
'.The last this season." he suggest
ed.
They were driving in a landau,
with Albert Carnes and Spencer Har-
rison sitting opposite. Crowding up
Fifth Avenue, their talk was inter-
rupted it was not until they had
entered the park, and had somewhat
escaped the throng, that Albert
Carnes said to his sister
Freddie, show Edward that ring.
I'd like to have him say now he has
no respect for African diamonds.
Two thirty caret stones: Spence" he
added. turning to Harrison, 'of the
first water, and perfect match. For
my part l prefer other qualities be-
ing equal-these brilliant off-color
s,ores. When I'm engaged to be
married, my engagement ring shall
be an African solitaire. ! like the
sunny tinge Of the southern ada
mant."
Fredericka drew off her soft gray
glove, and Edward Lowell, ever SEN
sitive to the least display of her re-
fined charms, glanced warmly at the
little lily white hand. She took from
the forefnger of the hand not en-
gagement-pledged a diamond ring.
The eyes of Spencer Harrison and
of Albert Carnes Nere fixed upon
the Jewel. Edward Lowell glanced
at it vaguely. He had already,
however, taken it into his hand.
every beautiful" !" he said. "These
cape diamonds have fire. TO say
the least. One could" He paus-
ed. He had seemed, as he spoke, in
the act of returning the ring. Sud-
denly it had escaped from his fin
gers. He looked for it. 1t was
gone.
"Give me my ring, then, Ned, if it
is so fiery," said gentle Frederika.
II like to keep to myself all that
burns"
"Where is it ?" asked Lowell, be
wildered.
"You have dropped it," Albert ex-
claimed, moving so as to look On
the floor of the carriage.
Give back the ring, Lowell" said
Harrison. "You took it, you know
Come, that's not fair
Where is it?" reiterated Lowell.
The diamond ring had vanished.
"Oh, somewhere in the carriage"
said Frederika, somewhat petuantly, !
drawing on her glove. "We shall
find it when we get home"
But the diamond ring was not
found. The expressive face of Al
bert Carnes wore a grave frown when
the group alighted and the carriage |
was searched.
1T could not possibly" he said
to Frederika, shave fallen outside. !
what do you mean," asked his
sister. alarmed to her hearts core. |
She was as pale as the white lace
scarf that she had drawn close
around her throat in nervous self.
from the hour.
1.-THE engagement of Edward Low
ell and Frederika Carnes is broken
off," said Rumor, knocking at every
'in society" door. Miss Carnes is
the chief actor in the unhappy af-
fair. Edward Lowell has accepted a
foreign partnership in the mercan-
tile house to which he belongs, and
has sailed for England in view of a
residence alb Dad. Rumor
added that Lovell's departure was
FASTENED to avoid threatened ex-
Dosure of circumstances seriously /
detrimental to his good name
And all this happened on account
,f the mysterious loss of Frederika's
diamond ring. The rumor that took
bodily shape in the worlds ear was
he consolidated form of innumera-
Die whispers in the tete-a-tete of par
ors and the clubs. Spencer Harri-
son was accountable for the most
subtle injurious of these scandalous
,reaths. To use his own phrase of
.hought, ''he owed Lowell a
yrudge." and fate had given him an
opportunity of paying this ignoble
lebt.
As for Frederika, ste could not
item the current of prejudice which
lad so cruelty set against her lover
,ut with her. whole soul she main
aimed her faith in his. innocence. ,
Her relatives had used authority to
Innul the engagement, but the girl ,
ecretly vowed that she would be ,
he wife of no other man.
A year had passed. Josie Harte,
whose marriage had been postponed !
'ecause her infirm mother needed :
lay and night daughters care, an
wered at last the inquiries of Miss 1,
,arnes, made n few weeks after the
'urial OF Mrs. Harte. II have fixed
ny wedding for this day fortnight. "
Il wish you all happiness, my
ood Josie, said Frederika, with "a !
mile and sigh. And now you :
vii give me the pleasure to add a /
ew trifles to your trousseau, since r
'ou were-ah, do not forget it-sS a
Interested in mine" i
Among the many useful gifts and .
be many not useful but quite pleas :
Irable bits of finery tha. Miss Carnes
'ressed upon the acceptance OF Jo- i
lie Harte was a silk costume which
or twelvemonth had hung in the 6
lark of seldom-visited cedar
loset- =
do you know" said the sweet :
,irl, that / hardly like to give you
his, and yet / will. hoping that !
ime has taken from it whatever ill :