The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-27

ley. The messenger was waiting for the
reply-the servant said Mrs. Morley had
forgotten some papers, | was to open her
toilette table drawer, in which | would find
the key to her escritoire, and in the pigeon
holes of the escritoire lay the documents
she had need of.
For once the orderly old lady was mis-
taken. The papers were not where she
thought. | discovered them, however, at
length in drawer, and beneath them lay
a box, which recognized at a glance.
Could believe my eyes?
[ opened the box and saw what | had
feared. There was the diamond ring which
| had picked up in the street, and which
had been the cause of all my past three
months troubles
closed the escritoire and despatched
the messenger with the paper.
Then my conscience and I waged sore
battle. 1t was near dinner time when Mrs.
Morley returned.
Up to the moment when we met |
thought that l should have the courage to
tell her. But | went to bed with my Sc
cret unuttered.
Two weeks elapsed. The secret was
still lying like leaden weight upon my
conscience.
News had come to Mrs. Morley, mean
time, that she might expect her grandson
in another week.
Days before the time appointed, how
ever, he arrived He had purposely misled
her, so that she need not worry over his
voyage. l had been out in the carriage to
do some shopping for her and to visit a
hospital in which she was interested. On
my return went directly up to her dress
ing-room, and heard her call, in answer to
my knock;
"Don't stand there, tapping like Poe's
raven, my precious child, but come in
come in. !"
opened the door. As I crossed the
threshold I caught sight of a gentleman
sitting by her.
"Here is Basil" she cried. aWho shall
say that surprises are not delightful things?
Helen, come and shake hands with my
boy; you don't need to have him intro
duced
Indeed, I did not. He rose aud moved
towards me with extended hands, saying
cordially;
'I am so glad to meet you at last, Miss
Forbes, and [ won't be treated as stran-
ger, for your letters make me feel that [
know you well already"
was looking full in the face of the man
who had taken the ring from me in the
pawnbroker's shop; yet there was no more
sign of recognition in his countenance than
if we had never met
don't know what | said. | know /
talked and laughed, then got out of the
room on the plea Of dressing for dinner
my brain was in whirl.
Even in my own chamber I dared not
give way. I remembered that my veil had
been partly over my face while was in
the shop. It was evident that he had not
recognized me-
But by what chance had he been there
at all?
Reader, two months elapsed and still |
kept my secret, and always its burden grew
heavier. The time came when learned
that my heart had gone out toward Basil
as it had never done toward any man, and
this consciousness added to my trouble.
How good he was to me-how gentle
and kind The dear old lady never seemed
so happy as when we were together.
I suppose that my manner changed when
| learned whittier the charm of his society
had led me, and grew cold and stiff in
manner But he was not the man to en-
dure that in silence. He came suddenly
upon me one evening as I sat alone in the
twilight, and said abruptly:
"Helen-Miss Forbes-have I offended
your
"No-po,'' I exclaimed, frightened and
ready to cry, "Why should you think so
What have l done ?"
'Avoided me the past few days" he
answered. "Hurt me cruelty, for [ love
you with all my heart and soul,
He was on his knees beside me kissing
my hands and pouring out wild words that
| shall not record here.
was near fainting. Ipushed him away
summoned my remaining strength and
cried out :
II am not fit I am deeeitfal, untruth-
full, cowardly. Oh, 1t was l who found
the ring-it was who pawned it. All, !
wonder that 1 am not dead of shame at
deceiving Mrs Morley so long
"My darling !"
I tried to rise, I wanted to SET out of
his sight; but he held my hands fast, and
amid the whirl in my brain | heard him
softly say
"My darling, you were not in the least
bound to tell Any way, it was not neces-
sary, for we knew it all from the first. Mr.
Lindon had written to grandmother, asking
her to aid you. We tried vainly to find
you. When you gave your name that was
enough. I followed you; saw Mrs. Law
renee while you had gone about the adver-
tisement, then we sent the note. You see
how easy it all was to manage-and what
mercy you found the ring
believe I did lose my senses fop little
while. But his kisses soon brought them
back. He explained to me how he CHANGED
to be in the shop on behalf of friend
whose Jewels be wished to redeem.
Lindon had been called out, and he went
in to say that the pawnbroker would be
back soon; but before he could speak
had stated my business and told my name
And when I had recovered my strength
he took me, trembling and frightened, to
Mrs. Morley's room, calling out as we en-
tered;
"Grandmother look here p
She gave glance at us, standing there
arm-in-arm, and then went nearer into
Mysteries than I ever saw her before Oh
after-clapped her hands, hugged us both
and cried out between tears and laughter
"At last at last My darling girl,
thought that stupid boy never would find
courage to speak. He rode off on some
hobby that you loved an unknown friend
and that it was this which made you Sc
often restless and melancholy Men are
such geese.
As l write the dlmond ring is on my
hand. have been happy, happy wife
for decade, and Basil spoils me more and
more,
He says that grandma spoils our two
little children so terribly that he is obliged
to do it in order to keep the balance even
A schoolboy got up to read a composition