The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-02
Her Engagement Ring,

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Fannie Gerard had been engaged
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
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 i'm
bedded 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 ship in which her lover
sailed had not been heard of for many
weeks, and that it was considered lost,
having entered southern lati-
tudes, where a 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 bank failure.
1t became necessary for Fannie to
eke out the small remaining income by
turning her accomplishments to ac
count.
1t was then that the thought of
parting with her precious ring occurr-
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 come to her, it was a
settled purposs.
Il need no reminder to keep me
true to his memory" she murmured,
while heavy tears overhowed through
the long, curling lashes, and fell, gilt
tcring rivals, upon the diamond which
she raised to her lips and kissed again
and again with passionate fervor.
Having made up her mind to sacri-
fee it, Fannie put on her dropping
hat and tied black veil tightly over
her sensitive face; then, with rapid
steps, she left the house and hastened
to the jewelry establishment around
The corner, at the windows Of which
she had often stopped to admire the
dazzling contents.
as it your own?" asked the old
man, with a searching look in his
keen gray eyes at the young girl. who
had made Der request in such low and
trembling tones.
"Oh, yes" she answered, simply, un-
conscious of suspicion. "1t was my
engagement ring" and she colored
family, then paled again with painful
thoughts.
"ltis very valuable one for you" )"
said the jeweller, 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
then," she answered, quietly, check
ing her rising indignation with the
self-control which experience had
taught her.
"The gentleman to whom was en-.
gagged to be married went away on g
long voyage, and was lost at sea-" sht
said, "and then my father died ant
left us poor, so that have been oblig
ed to sell my jewels. l kept this till
the last. viii you please buy it
sir?
The old man, a Scotchman. said:
"Umph, umph" and polished his
spectacles murmuring, "Puir lassie"
Then he told her he would valu,
her ring, gave her receipt, for which
she had not thought of asking, anC
told her to come back in the morning
About 10 minutes after Fanni,
Gerard left Dugald Blaikie's store, ;
young man walked up the avenu,
with long, rapid strides, watching tn,
passers-by and the objects with a half
curious, half-familiar and who'll,
pleased attention.
He entered Mr.. Blaikie's store anc
drew out his watch.
81 wish you would be good enough
10 examine this watch of mine," h
said, pleasantly. something has gon
wrong with it all of sudden. n
sooner do l arrive home safe AM
sound than it became refractory afte
serving me faithfully through hair
breadth 'scapes by flood and field es
pecially by flood? hope it is not ON
inous.
And the returned traveller laughe,
as he handed the timepiece to the oil
man.
Nothing more alarming than
broken handspring" replied MI
Blaikie, smiling 1--WE will have
ready for you tomorrow, sir
And then. as he watched the strans
er 60 out with bis youthful, swingin