The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-02-17

Written for the Democrat-Star.
"LUCY'S RING"
BY FAY, OF MOBILE, ALA.

BY FAY, OF MOBILE, ALA.
The amber and slanting rays o
the evening SUR 7hatt-gilded will
orient splendor, the oaken carvings
and taciugs OF the door of thu
WessOn homestead, aud creating
fantastic shadows among the fernt
and creepers that grew luxurintly
in the courtyard without, hlickerini
over the wall of the deep pOrtlcO
fingered lovingly on dainty figure
reclining listlessly in u large arm
chair near the steps. The mellow
autumn wind, buldened with the
fragrance of countless flowers
scarcely lifted golden ringleI
from the fair brow, or even slightly
moved the filmy lace, covering
bust so lovely that Venus might
have envied it.
The delicately oval cheek and
large, dark blue eyes bespoke a
noble lineage, were appearance,
alone, the index. But Lucy WessOn
was as beautiful in character as in
perSOnelle. descended from line
of ancestry whose titles had been
handed down from the Planta2en-
cts, Lucy yet possessed none of that
false pride, which the noble by birth
sometimes unfortunately inherit.
AS she sits quie:iy there Lncy's
thoughts are not fixed upon the
glorious landscape before her, but
are silently worshipping in an inuer
temple.
But IA deeper flush mantles her
cheeks, aud the fine blue eyes kin
die with pleasure, as q human, dark
and handsome, dashes up and dis.
mounting, taslens his reins. A sec
oud more and Horace Mountjoy is
bowing low to tho faireSt vision his
eyes have ever feasted ou, he thinks.
The beautiful being, his heart has
acknowledged its queen.
Three weeks ago, in passing
through galaxy of female lowell
ness, in ball room, the gold button
of his cuff became entangled in the
slken drapelies of the fair ones.
In attempting to diSengage his
prisoner, he turned and encounter
ed par of eyes like heavens own
blue. Then and there Horace
Mounljoy knew that he bad lost
bis healt. Nor did the little merci-
less winged god, Cupid, speed his
darts through one victim alone,
for Lucy Wesson's gentle heart ex.
perienced a similar feeling, aud
beat nncontrollably within her cor
sage, as the handsome stTan-
ger gracefully apoIoglzed. In-
lrodnctiOns followed, aud in one
short mouth alter their first meet
lug, Horace MOunljOy's diamond
adorned Lucy WeSsOn's slender
tOrefnger.
Let us return now to where we
last lett the happy lovers, exchaug-
ing VOWS of devotion and cOnstan-
cy. While the pale moon rises with
silvery light aud floods the scene
with beauty, they linger still aud,
when at last he rises to go, reluct-
antly he says, "Dear Lucy, L have
pressing business engagements,
which Uecesslt1te my immediate
.attentiOn, and shall be absent in
W. few weeks. Wish me a
speedy aud happy return to your
side. Keep my image within your
heart, and adieu until we meet
again." And striding down among
the grasses aud flowers, be mount
ed his horse aud rode away.
Long Lucy sat after her lovers
departure, wrapped in musing.
She will not let the knowledge of
their short separation iutrude itself
upon ber unclOuded happiness. Yet,
wheu Grandfather Wesson comes
for his goodnight kiss, it rouses her
to the stern realty, aud she smoth-
ers choking sob, aud returns a
merry answer when he sallies her
on her peusive mood.
But the Young are light-hearted,
aud the constant nhBgling with
socienty claims Lucy's every
thouht save one.
A lovely, balmy morning finds
her the centre OF an admiring group
cantering along through the deep
woods; anon they are joined by
another party of equeslrians, aud
the hillsides ring with their merry
Jest and sallles.
Many are the covert glances di-
( rected to the superb figure on the
magnificent bay. Her cheeks out
rival the scarlet berries which sbe
has fastened 10 the pOmmel Of her
saddle, aud her dark green habit
flows gracefully in the breeze, while
the vivid hued Autumn leaves, IN
their fall, rest like q rich embroid-
cry upon her skirts ere they reach
the ground. Soon the gay party
turn their horses heads toward
home, prepared to do Justice to the
ample board which is always found
Al the grand old Wessou mansion,
Three weeks 60 by, and, with
their lapse Horace Mounijoy
/ hss returDed, aud With eager step