The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-10-08
A lsETROTEEAL RING.


Maria, am sorry to reprimand
you again for your curiosity. l wish
you would try to correct that fault"
The voice was peculiarly soft and
gentle, and l was sure that had heard
it before. Turning, saw two young
women leaning against the bulwarks.
Their faces were turned from me, and
although their figures were about the
same size, and their hair OF almost the
same tinge, there was little difficulty
in distinguishing the maid and mis-
tress. Presently they were joined by
n plump, comfortahle-looking English
matron and tall young American,
who was evidently the escort OF the
party. Then remembered that / had
seen them at a hotel in Paris, and had
become very much interested in the
young couple. | never saw an English
girl with the delicately-cut features,
the slender, graceful figure and the
air Of refinement which characterized
this one, and | certainly never met
any man with the graceful bearing OF
this tall young American. remem-
Der that | was proud of this girl as my
countrywoman, and felt a secret pleas
ure in the very probable fact that the
young Americans ancestors were
English.
Twas glad that had an opportunity
OF seeing more Of them, and | found
myself watching them with great
deal OF interest as they sat ON deck
the mother lying in big armchair
the daughter seated close by, and the
young American lowering around
them with q gentle watchfulness ol
every comfort. Occasionally the moth
er would nod little, her head would
sink back, and she would draw some
wrapping OF delicate texture over hel
face to protect it from the warm sun
rays. Instantly the aspect Of thu
young couple would change. An al,
Of frank unconsciousness would yielC
to one of great reserve, and his eye
would deepen with tenderness, AM
his face grow more earnest and flushed
as he leaned towards her and talked il
low tones.
/ soon concluded that those youn,
people were more than interested il
each other, and one night | heard, 0
rather saw, the whole story. couldn'
help it very well. Besides, was al
old man, alone in the world, and ha,
such sympathy with them that an
sure that they would have cared bu
very little had they known Of my pres
ence.
It was the last night Of our voyage
The stars were dimmed by the moor
which hung alone in a big dome {
blue. The ocean had sunk into
smooth, quiet plain, broken enly b
dancing moonbeams, and the steame
with its restless throbbing, seemed a
impertinent atom in the vast silenc
around.
They came slowly towards me, as
sat smoking, from the bow of the We
sci. She was resting on his arm, an
occasionally she would turn her ia
face up 70 his with an air OF mingle
timidity and confidence. A little di
tance away they stopped, and lcanir
against the hulwarks began talking
Presently she turned her head for &
instant and looked thoughtfully O.
into the moonlight, which seemed
gather around her head and leave
rich yellow tint in her hair. He W
pleading very earnestly now, and h
face sank slowly down as she trem
lously plucked at her dainty nut
whose soft folds over her bosom re
and fell with the gentle tumult With
Then he took one of her hands Al
paused A moment later she rails
her head slowly and turned her IA
frankly to his. / could see tears q
tening on her eyelashes, between
and the moonlight, but smiles W.
chasing each other around the sw
lips below. This was all the ansy
that she gave him, and this was all
asked.
When ! looked again he was hold
a ring up in the moonlight, and b,
were looking at the pale, blush Iii
which seemed 10 shoot fromthe ST
in its rich, yellow setting He !
evidently explaining its history,
presently she held up one pretty,