Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-03-08

70" Shall have the money. / will q
go wFou to a jewelers.; he will ad-
vance money on this ring, to meet all di
my Pint needs. Cora! will you save er
o f@ fellow-creature's soul by one
day ''erifce of your vanity, or will you
drivss to suicides gravel" b
- Capt. Wayne"
Coturned pale and scarlet, and hes Ii
itateihow could she tell him, her re- a
jecte,ver of the past, that the dia-
monlas the betrothal gift of Alban q
Carlerdl
''I enough, he said, huskily, turn
ing NY, as little Bessie's tootstep I
soun& in the hall; ~ have asked, and S
! haysked in vain. The offense never
shaliArepeated.'
Con sprang to his side, pale and
eagef When human soul trembled in
the hance, how could she stop to weigh
the rs and cons of orthodox etiquette9
e1ke it, she murmured, drawing off
the liz which Alban Carlesford had
placelon her finger; "but, remember, it
is buior day"
Hi murmured blessing scarcely
reacM her ear, so bewildered was she
withihe conflict of emotions within her
heart and the next moment she was
alontia the room and Bessie's tiny hand |
uponthe door-knob.
s.There is Uncle Bruce1" lisped the
child sI couldn't anywhere find his
goldge glass, and mamma said it was
hanging on his watch-ribbon."
Mssrs. Stone & sparkle's elegant en-
poriyp Of jewelry was crowded, as Mr.
CarhsF5xd sauntered down the marble
rovo. rJom, but Mr.. Sparkle himself
49,, L = forward to meet the new
- = hat I'D We do FOR you sira' ques'
tiondd Mr. Sparkle, rubbing his plump,
white hands smilingly together. EN-
eraId, sir2 certainly; please to step this
way. There is a very choice set just
sent in-old Mrs. Balaplan's, sir-that
used to be--setting little old fashioned,
to be sure, but the stones much choicel
than you see nowadays. We could re-
set them for $50, and"
Mr.. Sparkle opened little private
drawer as he spoke-a special sanctum
where he kept choice jewels, rare canoes
aud price ess antiques. AS he sough
about for the set of emeralds, Mr.. Carries
ford's eye was caught by the glitter of &
large solitaire diamond, set round will
tiny seed pearls.
''Whyp he CALCULATED, "that's tn,
very ringl"
''That we sold you last week. Exactly
so, chimes in Mr.. Sparkle. 'It is her
only on deposit, to raise little none,
temporarily. We are often called on IL
that way"
Alben Carlesford's brow had grow
very dark.
''Who brought it herea'
''Well, really, sir, we don't usual,
-"
II insist upon knowingi'' thunderet
the young man, furiously.
''But to you, sir, in confidence,
don't mind mentioning it," hurried OF
the terrified Mr.. Sparkle. lit was Cap
tain Bruce Wayne"
Bruce Wayne"
Mr.. Carlesfosd stood silent for a min
ute or two, while every feature of hi
face seemed tosettle and grow rigid, a
if it had been carved in marble.
s'Thank you. That will do.
viii not look at the emeralds this after
noon"
What a storm of contending passion
shook Alban Carlesford's breast as h
walked along with mechanical footstep
scarcely listing whittier he went. De
ceived, sighted, betrayed, his very be
trothal gifts gone to swell the rapaciou
purse of mere spendthrift like Bruc
Wayne.
II have been a fool-a love-sicl
fooll" he muttered, between his clenche,
teeth, land am tittingly repaidl'
When Cora Vane returned from
days round of music lessons, weary, ye
happy (for had not the consciousness Q
a good mans love gone with her on he
tedious way0, she found note lying o
her table, a note directed in Alban Car
lcsford's hand.
She took it up and broke the seal, wit
a soft crimson glowing over her face
but as her eyes glanced over the content
a deadly hue usurped the delicate cal
mine. 1t read thus:
MISS VANE: | return you your troth
Cap ain Wayne is welcome to the damon
!; ring. as well as to your heast - ] wa1it n
second hand affection! A. c.
As she stood there pale and startled,
knock came to the door. 1t was repeat
ed and then the door was opened as
in despair for an answer, and Bruc
Wayne stood there, eager and smiling
Il have brought you your ring, Cora
ana it has saved me. May heaven bles
you az truly as i shall ever do"