South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1884-06-06
HER ENGAGEMENT RING.

~ " s4o's'SA w yOuoS LII. lluiT)
Raymond, the nephew Of wealthy
New York physician, whose extensive
practice was expected to soon descend
to his young relative. In the meau-
time Harry went off onS long sea
voyage with an invalid friend, leav.
ing betrothal ring on the little white
hand of the lovely girlwho had prom
ised to he his wife when he returned
home.
The ring was handsome aud uni
que, with its splendid solitaire. and
their combined initials in tiny dia.
monds imbedded inside the golden
hoop, and OF course Fannie valued it
for its beauty as well as for the love
OF which it was the pledge. But
when news came to her that the shin
in which her lover sailed had not
been heard Of for many weeks, and
that it was considered lost, having en-
tered southern ATTITUDES, where ter
rifle hurricance had done fearful dam
age, then the ring became sacred
thing to her rs the last gift OF the
dead.
Fate had brought other trials to tie
poor girl since the loss OF her lover.
Her father had died, and subsequent
ly her mothers money, uron which
they were almost dependent. had
been swallowed up in bank failure.
1t became necessary for Fannie to
exc out the small remaining income
by turning her accomplishments to ac-
court.
1t was then that the thought of part
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 sharp paug
that was almost an agony, but having
once como TO her it was settled pur-
pose.
Il need no reminder to keep me
true TO bis memory she nun INJURED,
while heavy tears overflowed through
the long, curling lashcs, and fell, gilt
ter'ng rivals, upon the diamond which
she raised to her lips and kissed again
and again with passionate fcrvor.
Having made up her mind to sac.
rifice 1t, Fannie put onsher dropping
hat and tied black veil tightly over
her sensitive face, then, with rapid
steps, she left the house and fastened
to the jewelry establishment around
the corner, at the windows of which
she had often stopped to admire the
dazzling contents.
is 1t your own2' 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.
ooh, yes she answered, simply, IN
conscious Of suspicion. 1T was my
engagement ring and che colored
family, then palcd again with painful
thoughts.
1T Is a very valuable one for you
said the jeweler, slipping it OH the
first Joint OF his finger, and glancing
at Fannle's neat but decidedly shah
by ra;ment
The gentleman was rich and so
was l then, she answered, quietly,
checking her rising Indignation with
the selfcontrol which experience had
taught her.
The gentleman to whom was e. :
gagged to be married went away on n
long voyage, and was lost at sea- she
SAID, 'and then my father died and
lett US poor, so that [ have been obi
ged to sell my jewels. kept tits till
the last. Will you please buy it.,
STRIP
The old man, Scotchinan, said
'Umph. umphp and polished his
spectacles, murmuring, Puir lassiep
Then he told her he would value
her ring, gave her receipt, for which
she had not thought of asking, and
told her to comeback in the morn.
ing.
About ten minutes after Fannie
Gerard left Dugald Blaikie's store a
young man walked up the avenue
with long. rapid strides, watching the
passers'by and the objects with BALI
curious, half-familar and wholly pleas
ed attention.
lie entered Mr.. Blaikie's store and
drew out his watch.
Il wish you would be good enough
to examine this watch of nine ne
said, pleasantly. Something has
gone wrong with it all of a sudden. No
snooner do / arrive home safe and
sound than it became refractory after
serving me faithfully through hair
breadth 'scapes by flood aud field
especially by flood? l hope it is not
omlnous.
And the returned traveller laughed
as he handed the timepiece TO the old
man.
Nothing moro alarming than n
broken handspring replied Mr.. Blai-
kie, smiling. eve will have it ready
for you tomorrow, sir
And then, as he watched the stran-
ger go out, with bis youthful. swing
ibg stride, his mind REQUIRED 10 the
girl who had told him of the lover
lost at sea- aud he sighed over his