The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-19
A TWfLFTH-NlGHT RING.

Just those three letters, "A. V. En- evil
a0ntly cut with diaroond ring in the mir
ror and staring out on him as Jack Smith
stared into II. lie had been staring into
II. in a brown study. for the last half
hour, before these three initials took form
here and flashed out on him.
Of course he knew that they were cut
in the glass all the time. only he had just
happened TO notice them.
But what one knows and what one feels
are not always the same thing: and some
how. Jack. in his dilemma. felt these let
ters a sort OF message to him.
A. V. E." he repeated 70 himself
IAN hail! that ancient creating; meeting
me oddly enough here, where am just
looking for her.
And theni
"Al hani How goes the charm Of this
very Twelfth night? Then when one has
wen the Twelfth-nght ring-and surely,
though I've cut no Twefth-night cake, I've
found q certain magic little ring-when the
one who has the ring looks intently into
the mirror upon Twelfth night-the face
comes and looks into the mirror oV;r ones
shoulder"
II was hardly the orthodox hour for
fpells. with the sun still slanting yonder
on the Icy Jake under his windows; yet,
AQt az AAidL a misty leN~Nf Win AeahA hluf
siye features, seemed 20 be gazing at him
out OF the glass. With & laugh at himself,
he drew a letter from his pocketSook-a
little letter, worn by ;he number Of Zines
II had been pulled out Of its envelope DUR
Ing the last few days.
The envelope bore the postmark of this
far north town Of Plattsburgh The let
ter said: If not 10 this John Smith, give
10 some other Of the name:"
Il couldn't StaV N meet vO,f IOhnpv
know you will understand what II means
when you find l am not there 10 meet
you with the others. / inclose the little
rir &: we have both outgrown it since the
day you took II off your finger to put 1t
on mine. After awhile you Will come up
here and see me If you like, but now i am
home. / am just writing this on my way
that II may greet you on your arrival in
New York, and tell you at once that you
are free. But don't forget that / shall al
ways be glad 20 see my Cousin Johnny,
and that am, as 1 used to be long ago.
just your afectionate LITTLE AMY"
A curious letter and a curious inclosure
tiny ring with a mere spark Of a dia-
mond in It. John Smith. Esq. New York
Hotel. Broadway, New York." was the
address.
II had been delivered TO the wrong John
Smith Just as he was leaving the New
York Hotel for a run up the Hudson. In
the hurry Of departure he had ov srlooked
Il. and afterWard though sure he was the
wrong John Smith. he had not known
what TO do with IL.
The small, empty circle had a pathetic
air TO him. as If little Amys hand might
look lost without 1t. Perhaps the girl was
Just putting a brave face on the matter
IS Sighted girls will when their, lovers
weary Of them. Big, broad-shouldered
Jack felt he should like TO take the poor
little things part and punch the head Of
fsithless Johnny.
u was that feeling which had brought
him on to Plattsburgh from his careless.
sightseeing stay in New York. He had
said TO himself that he might as well
see something OF winter. now that he was
East his idea OF the yule season being
the green one OF the California coast.
There was really nothing TO keep him
hack from following UP the very slender
clue the postmark OF that letter held out
10 him.
Up the Hudson, on TO Albany. thence
hcross the rocky verge Of Lake Cham
plain: under a clear and sparkling winter
sunshine, it was a charming journey.
even without hope Of adventure at the end
Of II. And now, here was Jack at Platts-
bJreh. al Bouquets Hotel which had
bechOued him over from the railway sta
ton. And here the mirror IN his room,
overlooking the lake, had given him its
message.
"A. V. T." The A. might stand for
ANY The diamond spark In the ring
E-ht have cut these initials here!
j. was the very sienderest clue, but
jack presently found himself following
gp Amy had stopped in Plattsburgh
on her way home. she wrote Surely,
Nowhere in Pittsburgh could she better
STOP than at Bouquets
laf "a Tor
over the hotel register. He had not far
70 look before he found the entry. Miss
a Y. Elliot, Cedarclin." Then he made
5000 search 10 find II there were no other
a v +. On this point satisfying himself,
ne asked where one might find the VIII
Iase OF Cedarclih.
There was no village. only a country
mouse. The Cedarclif folks always stop
yea mere from the trains till sent for.
res II the gentleman wanted a sleigh he
could have one. with driver who knew
me way round by Cumberland Head.
30, presently Jack was speeding out
through the troad streets overarched with
hms leaiiess. but sheathed in icicles and
flashing in a million jeweled points in
me evening sunshine. The great white
axe flashed too the sleigh bells clashed
@ith a merry peal OF marriage bells. and
'ach found himself in the Cedarcliff par
or before he had at all decided what he
Mas 70 say.
was Mics Elliott at home? and which
hiss Elliott? Miss Yerena was at home;
YOU'D she do. SIR. for the others were
VI out this afternoon.
Inc small maid who let him In went
way with tbs reluctant assurance from
~cK that Miss Yerena would do. And
hen Jack reflected that Verena was the
scono letter IN the magic mirror. The
ust might stand for Amy. But then.
ust ms well II Nigh, stand for Annie and
,o.saii. Jack had heard that one might
va hbby In abundance among these
ssnAee girls. Well. Plattsburgh was not