Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-06-26
How She Wore His Ring,
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

"What is the matter with you, Frank
said 1; II never saw you look so sulky
before
"Sulky" Frank repeated, "I'm in
trouble, and you have no sympathy for
me. So much for friendship"
Good heavens, Frank" cried, div
ing into my pocket and producing a
well-filed pocket-book. 81 had no
idea-tell me how much you'll have. If
there, not enough here I'll draw check.
The idea of keeping it from me, when
YOU know that if had only dollar in
the world I'd share it with the friend
who saved my life-and an ungrateful
wretch I'd be, too, not to do it. "
"Oh, put up your pocket-book, Jack,
said Frank. Cant you think of any
other trouble in life but want of money!
Your ancestors have rolled in gold so
long that suppose you think the rest of
as beggars. There, l know you're
k'nd-hearted fellow and my friend, but
Tn not out Of cash." he laughed.
But in a minute more his face was as
gloomy as ever.
"Tell me what it isl" said.
We were sitting on the bank of the
river fishing. Frank had come out to
our place to visit NE. We had been at
school together, and just as we were
about to graduate, Frank saved my life.
sha'n't tell you how, that would be
another story, and l want to talk about
this affair Just now, but he saved my life
at the risk of his own; was laid up for
six months, and always limped little
afterward, and vowed eternal gratitude,
so did my parents. We all adored him,
and we had been very intimate ever
since.
He was twenty-five by this time, and
an artist. l was twenty-four, and as
Frank often said, "lisgustingly rich
lie was usually the merriest fellow
alive. don't want to convey the idea
that Frank was sickly cripple.
He was very unusually handsome
young man, and his little limp only made
him what the ladies call interesting
1t was quite in his favor with them,
and noticed that when he was intent on
making a conquest, he limped more than
usual. But as gracefully as possible,
you may be sure.
He made a great many conquests. For
my part, my weakness was not the ten
der passion, and l rather laughed at his
Affairs Of the heart.
81 suppose it is girl" 1 said, after a
pause. He looked up at me with his
long FLASHED, gray eyes, for sat on rock
some distance above him.
"Jlck, | don't believe you have ever
been in love, Or ever will be, " he said.
"Oh, like the girls well enough" l
said, "and no doubt. when l am older l
shall marry; but l don't think there's
any of the Amanda Rosamauda, the
world would be a desert void without
thee sort Of thing about me. ."
~ don't believe there is" said he, in
a tone that dio not make the remark
sound like a compliment. "But, Jack,
that sort Of thing, laugh at it as you may,
is solid fact after all, and hearts can
break. and lives be shattered, and fellows
90 to the dogs because woman
He broke down.
Nv arm was around his shoulder in
moment.
"Wby, Jack, old fellow, all the wo-
men like you,' said l. "Youre sure to
get her if you try bard enough. They're
often like that, I'm told-coquette with
a fellow till the last moment.
"Oh, she didn't" said Frank. "She
accepted me at once-yes, at once. 1t
was love at first sight with us. l me-
her at a dinner / took her and her
mother, or maiden aunt, or somebody
in a cap and eye glasses, to the opera.
I met ter by accident, and walked with
her. asked her if she could love me,
and she said, 'Oh, yes We were en-
gaged. l almost ruined myself to buy
a cluster diamond ring, and we had
the happiest winter that ever mortals
lived through. Our wedding-day was
fixed for October. Her father promised
all sorts of amiable things, aud was
fool enough to kiss another girl. She
rather dared me to do it-you know
the way some girls have-and Dy 'hc
most dreadful i'll luck Jennie saw me;
and. look here"
He took something from his pocket
and held it out to me. 1t was airing
a cluster diamond.
"She sent that back last week" he
said, ''and I've wanted to die ever SINCE
And he rolled over on the grass aud hid
his face.
son, go and make up with her,
Franz, said /.
'l've tried" said Frank; "she won't
speak to me-shc won't look at me.
she sends my letters back unopened.