Connecticut western news., 1891-11-12
THE RING OF GOLD

Martin Daly had become discouraged Like many another miner in the far west. he had made money and lost it. had prospected for mines, found ore and been cheated out of his rights. had grown poor and ill, and had thrown him self under tree, careless whether he lived or died
 The great snowy mountain peaks and the rich verdure had lost their attraction for him. He had hoped and been disap- pointed so many times that he had come to believe himself unlucky; that he should never possess a dollar; that there was neither happiness nor home for him.
 He had seen better days. His large dark eyes. his broad brow, his we'll shaped mouth and chin bespoke refine ment in the years that were gone He had been we'll educated, had tried many thing and failed in them, not from lack of energy. not from lack of judgment, but his fate seemed to be an adverse one
 He had done many good acts. had al- ways helped his brother miners, had tried to look on the bright side of life, had fought manfully and been defeated in the battle. He had imagined some times that the clouds had silver lining, but the storms always came sooner or later. He meditated thus as he lay un- der the tree. and finally, more dead than alive from want and exhaustion fell asleep.
 Two men passed along under the brow ~ ho foi 1,x,f fho tall and straight. and from their dark hair and skin it was easy to perceive their Indian blood.
 "The white man is dead" said one of the men as he bent on his knee beside the sleeper.
 "No, there is twitching of the eye lids" said the other. ''He is pale and sick will take him home and Mimosa will care for him."
 The conversation, carried on in low tone, awakened the miner.
 Come with us and you shall have food and shelter" said the friendly In- dian.
 Scarcely able to bear his weight Mar tin leaned upon the arms of the two men, and soon found himself in the humble Indian cabin.
 "Mimosa. here is a stranger. Take care of him. Red Cloud never left hu- man being to die. He will get we'll, and then we will send him back to his peo- ple."
 A shy, pale Indian girl came forward and did as she was bidden. She did not speak, but looked very pityingly out of her fawnlike dark eyes. When Martin had been placed in the simple bed she prepared food for him and fed him as though he were child. Day by day she came and went, speaking little, but doing gently the things which only a woman's hands can do.
 After a time the miner, still a young man, gained in strength and began once more to hope for successful future.
 "Mimosa." he said one day. Il owe my life to you. and if l am ever rich ] will come back and reward you"
 'l shall miss you" said the girl shyly. But l want no money. shall be happy because you are well again and happy"
 "I shall yet find gold, Mimosa- l used to think ] should be rich, and then be- came poor and sick and lost heart. You wear a ring on your finger and some times chain about your neck. both of beaten gold. Did the metal come from | mines pear hereY'
 "My father gave them to me. she re- | piled, and nothing more could be learned from her on the subject. Would you care, Mimosa. if 1 wore the ring until went away? Perhaps l can find the place where the gold came from"
 "You may wear it till you come back rich," she said smiling.
 | Days grew into weeks, and the time drew near for the miner to say goodby to the girl who had become his comrade as we'll as deliverer. Tears filled her eyes as they parted. You will forget Mimosa," she said
 | "No, will bring back the rtng. and you shall give it to,the man who makes you his bride. shall never forget Red Cloud nor his daughter"
 Strong and hopeful again, Martin took up life, obtained work and believed oncs more that he should find gold. So swee and blessed a thing is hope, giving lustel to the eyes and quickening the flow O. blood along the veins.
 But he missed the Indian girl. Int pines on the snowy mountain peak. whispered of her. The evenings seemed longer than formerly; the conversation of the miners less interesting. He wa: lonely He was earning fair living but of what use was money to him if ht was to feel desolate in heart? Mimosa was not of his race. but she had Iowa ble nature. He remembered that she looked sad atihis going away He won dered if she ever thought about him. Ii she had some Indian suitor, would sht not wish for the ring again? He would like, at least, to see the man and hi! daughter who had saved his life H, would carry back the ring Ahl if h. knew where the gold in it came from perhaps he could indeed become rich and then who could make him so happ, as Mimosa?
 Months only increased the loneliness il Martins heart. He was becoming dis outraged again He even began to fea that Mimosa was married, and hls sou awakened to sense of loss. He woult go back just once and see her. and o his journey back he would sit for hal hour under the tree where Red Clou had found him.
 "What ails Martini said one miner t another "He must be in love-no ful in him as in the old days. Going t quit camp, he says.
 , After Martin had de. ided to go to SC Red Cloud, his heart seemed lighter.