Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-07-11
How She Wore His Ring.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

'What is the matter with you, Frank2"
said 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
well filled pocket book II had no
idea-tell ne 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 a dollar in
the world I'd share it with the friend
who saved my life-and an ungratefu
wretch I'd be, too, not to do it. ;"
ooh, 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 Test Of
US beggars. There, | know you're a
kind hearted fellow and my friend, but
I'm not out Of cash, - he laughed.
But in minute more his face was as
| gloomy as ever
''Tell me what it is2" I said
We were sitting on the bank of the
river fishing Frank had come out to
our place to visit me. We had been at
school together, and just as we were
about to graduate, Frank saved my life.
l sha'n't tell you how, that would be
another story, and | 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 a little
afterward, and Vowed eternal gratitude,
so did my parents We all adorcd him,
and we had been very intimate ever
since
He was twenty-five by this time, and
an artist | was twenty four, and as
Frank often said, ''diseustingly rich"
| I1c was usually IEc iHel llCnc AClio"
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 CALI interesting.
1t was quite in his favor with them,
and noticed that when he was intent on
making conquest, he limped more than
J 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 | rather laughed at his
affairs of the heart.
Il suppose it is GIRL" I said, after a
pause. He looked up at me with his
long -lashed, gray eyes, for | sat on rock
some distance above him.
"Jack, don't believe you have ever
been in love, or ever will be, he said.
"Oh, like the girls we'll enough"
said, land no doubt when am older
shall marry; but / don't think there $
any of the Amanda Rosamanda, the
world would be desert void without
thee sort Of thing about me.
Il don't believe there IS said he, IN
tone that did not make the remark
sound like compliment. But, Jack,
that sort of thing, laugh at it as you may
is solid fact after all, and hearts Cal
break. and lives be shattered and fellows
| 90 to the dogs because woman--
| He broke down
Nv arm was around his shoulder in a
moment.
"Why, Jack, old fellow. all the wo
men like vou,' said I. you're sure to
get her if you try hard enough. They r
often like that, I'm told -coquette with
4 fellow till the last moment.
"Oh. she didn't" said Frank, "She
accepted me at once-yes, at once. |
vas love at first sight with US. | met
her at a dinner. | took her and her
mother, or maiden aunt, or somebody
in cap and eyeglasses, to the opera
met Ter by accident, and walked with
her. asked her if She could love me
aud she said, 'Oh, yes We were en-
gagged. | almost ruined myself to bu
a cluster diamond ring, and We ha'