Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-08-26
A LAST RESOURCE.

Fannie Gerard was engaged to be mar
ried to Harry Raymond, the nephew of a
wealthy physician, whose extensive practice
was expected soon to descend to his young
relative. In the meantime, Harry went off
| on long sea-vOyage with an invalid friend,
leaving betrothal ring on the little white
hand of the lovely girl who had promised to
be his wife when he returned.
| The ring was handsome and unique, with
| its splendid solitaire, and their combined
initials in tiny diamonds, imbedded inside
| the golden hoop; and of course Fannie valu
ed it for its beauty, as well as for the love
of which it 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, hav-
| ing been last spoken in latitudes where a
terrific hurricane had done fearful damage,
| then the ring became as sacred 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 de.
pendent, had been swallowed up in bark
failure.
It became necessary for Fannie to exc out
the small remaining income by turning her
accom- plishments to account. This she did
! cheerfully, and even thankfully; but, with
all her efforts to be economical, necessity
| bore hardly upon the small household of
which she was now the sole stay.
1t was then that the thought of parting
with her precious ring occurred to her for
i the first time, although all her other jewels
\ had gone long since. The idea came to her
with sharp pang that was almost an agony;
but having once come to her, it became a
settled purpose.
81 need no reminder to keep me true to
his memory" she murmured, while heavy
tears overflowed through the long, curling
lashes, and fell, glittering rivals, upon the
diamond which she raised to her lips, and
kissed again and again with passionate fer
vor.
Having made up her mind to the sacrifice,
Fannie put on her dropping hat, and tied
black veil tightly over her fair, sensitive
face; then, with rapid steps, she left the
house and fastened to a jewelers. at the
windows Of which she had often stopped to
admire the dazzling contents.
"Is it your own?' asked the old man,
with searching look in his keen, grey eyes
at the young girl, who had made her request
in such low and trembling tones.
ooh, yes p she answered, simply, un-
conscious of suspicion. sit was my engage
ment ring" and she colored family, then
paled again with painful thoughts.
'It is very valuable one for you," the
jeweler continued, slipping it on the first
joint of his finger, and glancing at Fannie's
neat but decidedly shabby raiment.
''The gentleman was rich and SO was l,
then," she answered, quietly, checking her
rising indignation with the self-control
which experience had taught her.
Ioo1xipor inf bor nr1octi0nar'G face
and finding it to be a kind and fatheriy one,
notwithstanding some hardness of express
sion, she told him her story in an impulsive
burst of confidence.
''The gentleman to whom l was engaged
to be married went away on long voyage
and was lost at sea, she said; sand then
my father died and left us poor, so that l
have been obliged to sell my jewels. kept
this till the last. Will you please to buy it,
sir?'
The old man, being Scotchman, said:
"Umph, umph p and polishing his spec
tacles, mumured ''Puir lassiep'
Then he told her he would value her ring,
give her a receipt, for which she had not
thought of asking, and told her to come
back in the morning.
About ten minutes after Fannie Gerard
left Dugald Blaikie's shop young man
walked up the street with long, rapid strides,
watching the passer-by and the objects
a FOUND with a half curious, half-famIlar,
an d wholly pleased attention.
lie was a tall, handsome young fellow,
with q bronzed face, long curling nous
tache. and pair of fine, Observant blue eyes,
looking out from under magnificent eye
brows !, and lids heavily fringed like girls.
He entered Mr.. Blaikie's shop, and drew
ont ruafch
81 wish you would be good enough to
exam inc this watch of mine" he said plea
sanity. Something has gone wrong with
it all Of a sudden. No sooner do l arrive at
home. safe and sound, than it becomes re-
fractt nv, after serving me faithfully through
hair. breadth scapes by flood and field.
espec tally by flood! hope it is not oml-
nous?''
An,d ths returned Traveller laughed as he
han, led the time-piece to the old man.
".Nothing more alarming than broken
NJ ain. snring,'' replied Mr.. Blaikie, smiling.
6 We w.u have it ready for you tomorrow,
dr.
And tben as he watched the stranger 60
ont with his Youthful, swinging stride, his
mind recurred TO the girl who had told hlm
of the lover slosUt at sea-" and he signed
Harry Raymond l<ad not gone far before
he was accosted by t. 70 ringing VOICE VI "N
old friend. ,u, IN
"Hallo, Raymond, ol, \ fellow; ,; ,aue mneio von NJ
the name of all that's wo. 'oefiul nasu ervone ye
sprung from? Why, deaA oSy, y,tom "u0nf ~ the
believes you long since at th ~ ooS ~ s;,nooms
sea, or blown away by all sor. ,a,,,i', y, s'.'
ssBlown away as much as " VI lke' e oo,o Olu
how. /" lauphed RAYMOND, wringin 9 ms GULL