The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-12-22
THE OPAL RING.

JILL VI AL 1t1lSQs
Miss Elsie Hayward sat in her pretty par
lor, thinking about old times, for she was
no longer very young, and the past had
many memories stored up for her. One
thought haunted her sadly tonight, and at
length she unclasped from her neck-where
IL had lain hidden among the soft folds of
lace she wore-a slender golden chain, and
took from it an opal ring. While she was
looking at it, through tears that dimmed
her eyes, the door softly opened and
young girl entered, who, fastening to her,
said
Kiss me, auntie, dear, for Pm so hap
Ply Arthur loves me, and-we are engage
ed. See!" And she held up her dimpled
left hand, on the fore-fnger of which CLEAN
ed lovely, great opal.
20, my child ~ cried Miss Elsie, mot
an opal! Do you not know it is the stone
which brings misfortune to its wearerss"
"Oh, you old dsrling" exclaimed wini-
fred, gayly. "I don't believe one word of
il. And Arthur likes the opal best of all
the precious stones. He says the fire
cleaning in its depths and seAding forth
such beautiful rays is like the love that
burns in his heart for me. will trust him
always, even though the stone pales and
grows dim. He will be true to me for he
came Of a true race, he says"
"a true racel" exclaimed Miss Elsie
"Ah, Winifred, II you only knew Child,
you have often asked me why never mar
ried. will tell you my story tonight. I
must save you from my fate. seen aud
she held up the opal ring which had lain
hidden beneath her hand.
"a ringl Almost exactly like mine /"
cried winifred, wonderingly. Where did
You get it, auntie ?"
1t was my engagement ring replied
Miss Elsie. when was light-hearted,
happy girl like you, /, too, loved an Arthur,
and was engaged to him. We were very
happy, and my happiness was increased
when your dear mother, my only sister, re-
turned Unexpectedly from Canada, where
she had been for three years as governess
to a rich English family. The evening Of
her return we were sitkng ON the porch,
waiting for my Arthur, and I told her of
him, and my great love and happiness. She
kissed me, and murmured loving words of
congratulation, and leaned her curly head
on my shoulder Cher hair was short because
of the illness which had sent her home to
me, and curled In close rings about her
pretty head), and 30 We waited--I for my
lover, abe for him who was to be a dear
brother to her. But he did not come--hs
never came again. The next morning
brought me the coolest, cruelest letter re-
leasing me from my engagement, bidding
me keep the opal ring, since its Pickering,
changeful light would remind me of wom-
ans faithless, changing love, and bidding
me farewell forever. / was almost crazed
with grief, but what could do? II / had
had father or brother II might nave
been different, but we were only two poor
orphan girls; and when I recovered from
the brain fever that attacked me then, I
learned that my lover had gone abroad.
Then, two years later, ! heard that he had
married lovely Italian girl. He was dead
to me, and lived my lonely, heart-broken
life as best might; and when your dear
mother married found somewhat Of
my lost peace and happiness in her happy
home. But, my dear, did not know then
II do not know now--wl.at caused that
cruel letter. We had parted SO lovingly
the night before that my hopes were never
brighter; and alone in my room I had
kissed my dear ring as 1t flashed its bright
ness at me, and exulted in my lovers faith
fulness in spite Of the old saying about
the stone. And before two days had gone,
alas ! was heart-broken. Winifred, dar-
ling, my Arthur was Arthur's father Now
do you know why dread to see on your
finger an opal ring, placed there BY Arthur
Grant?
''Bnt there. 1t is late. Kiss me good
night. Keep your bright hopes and do
not Lot my story sadden your dreams. !
must believe that all win be we'll with my
pet"
winifred went silently and thoughtfully
to her room. Much TINT had bsen strange
before was explained now. Her Arthur's
father dear Aunt Elsie false loverl Then
that was the reason why he had refused to
call on Elsie sincs his coming from Italy
more than three months before and why
Arthur said he had been 80 moved when
told Of their love !; and had asked 80 many
questions concerning the aunt who had
filed mothers place to the orphaned
winifred. Perhaps he loved her still Oils
beautiful Italian wife had died long ago,
when Arthur was baby; and be had never
married again6 she would tell Arthur. And
she fell asleep with smile on her lips,
thinking Of the handsome, noble, dark-eyed
lover who had come to Hartford from sunny
Italy two ysars ago Ito study law with an
old friend Of his father's), and whom she
had loved ever since-who would be true
to her In spite Of the world.
The nexs day shs did tell Arthnr; and
thsy wondered II they could not find some
way 70 clsar up This mystery for what viii
NOT brave young hearts dare ks Y
~ ! Nfchnr'c