The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-19
she classes a.
perfected
quite in Vermont. so perhaps 1t was not

| quite IN Vermont. so perhaps It was not
Abby.
II certainly was not Abbyi When this
| dainty little creature, in some pale-gray
| 1eecy drapery. like soft evening cloud.
| came lightly in. Jack stood up with his
| lowest bow.
| Miss Amy Elliott. believer"
Eyes"
"And I am John Smith"
| "Ohg" Her hand went out to him in
eager greeting. "Jonniel 1t isn't posi-
be-" And then more slowly. Mott is
| not possible"
| Jack was bowling over her hand.
| II don't think I'm jennie. 1 might be.
Of course: only never wes; but-pardon
me. bat n letter l had no light 10 has
! fallen intomyhand and 1 didn't know
| what to do with It'll thought ought
10 find you and return IT,"
| Without a word she took the unsealed
| envelope he put II into her hand
| The room was dim in the declining
| afternoon; she went away to the window
! with the letter.
! Standing there with the sunset stream
| ing in upon her she was revealed more
fully 10 him. How wonderfully pretty
she was. And was It only the sunset that
made her cheeks glow and her eyes TO
shine SO. as she turned TO him?
| you have read this letter. Mr.. Smith,"
| He bent his head. He was beginning
TO think this quest of his mere imperti-
| nence.
II could not know II was not meant for
me until had read it," he said meekly.
| But perhaps. Miss Elliott. as your name
| is Verena---"
| He was holding out his hand for the
letter, as II II could not be hers.
| MY name is Amy Verena," she said,
| with an embarrassed little laugh. NAM
ma was hoping might turn out an Heir
| of-Radcliffe' sort OF girl, but 1 haven't"
she said deiantly; "and Johnny knows I
| haven't: ad / am only sorry the letter
| failed 10 reach him IN time to prevent"
AS she paused abruptly. Jack poured out
a torrent Of apologies He would have
gone 20 the ends of the earth to find her
out before; he had the greatest desire
| to so TO the ends of the earth, as has
been said. TO punch the true false John
nys head for him. And. though Jack does
not exactly say as much. he somehow
betrays It all to Miss Amy Verena-
She stares at him. fairly puzzled for
a moment. Then she breaks into a laugh,
so merry that he has 10 Join In it.
| "Ohi so you have been sorry for the
maiden all forlorn? But you needn't
| have been. for Johnny wrote, and begged
Oh but didn't mean to tell you that"
she cried. catching herself up quickly.
! "Only. you know, we were almost chill
dren when Johnny went away to Germany
| to college. and"
And his steamer was due In New York
and ne was 10 register at the New York
Hotel? But this other John Smith arrived
first-not from Europe. but across the
/ continent from California, on a first visit
| East. And-I beg your pardon, but you
are not going 10 put on that ring, are
| you?"
The first part Of that sentence OF his
| was very positive, as he observed her
| turning the ring over on her open palm.
| The two last words were added hastily,
upon the startled glance she gave him.
II? No; certainly not" she answered.
| blushipg.
She laid II down upon the mantelpiece
as she came forward from the fire. and
she did not observe that as he leaned
on the mantel and talked 10 her he slipped
| the bauble into his breast-pocket whence
he had taken II with the letter while
| ago.
AS this was not Jacks last visit, how
ever, she had many an opportunity TO
1 make inquiries for the missing ring. IL
| she would.
! But there was always so much else to
| talk about. California, the far East,
| China. japan, even Australia all OF which
| 'Aio NhhAothid SASA hHtny IL lie were
| rather ignorant OF Europe.
But one day-and January was barely
| out before that day came, everything
Of California being naturally OF rapid
| grow th-he asked Amy to come with him
and show him Europe.
| That was the day he laid the ring back
on the mantelpiece before her eyes.
The two were standing on the hearth
| rug together. AS he turned to put the
| ring on the mantel he met her eyes in
the mirror looking over his shoulder. He
held them fast with his.
| Miss Elliott, that first evening 1t
was twelfth-night, Amy, when we at
| home cut the twelfth-night cake for the
wedding ring in it. This charmed ring
| had come to me by a strange chance.
and as l spelled out the A. v. e. 1t had
/ cut into my mirror. / fancied two soft
| eyes glanced in, over my shoulder, and
| two rosy lips. Was it only dream,
sweetheart; or a true prophetic twelfth
| night vision?'
| Her hands were in his now; but the
| sweet eyes were held no 1onger-the
| dropped lashes yelled them
II don't think that ii was only
| dream, Jackp'-Waverly Magazine.