Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-07-09
HIS DIAMOND
RING.

Charles Burton sat with bowed head,
the picture OF despair.
by unfortunate speculation he had lost
all that he had saved from his earnings as
bookkeeper during the past six years,
and besides was considerably In debt.
What caused him greater unhappiness
than his impecuniousness itself was re
alization that he must renounce all hope
Of making Angie Trevylan--an only child
OF one Of the wealthiest men In the city
where no was located-his wifa
Though aware that she loved him ~
sincerely as he loved her, would doubtless
be willing to share his poverty with him,
his soruples would not allow him to en-
tertain such thought.
Moreover, were he to marry her when
his pccuniary condition became known IL
would quite naturally be said that he mar
ried her for her money; that would be alb
solutely repugnant To one Of his sensitive
nature.
"What shall dor" he muttered to him.
self in a most despondent tone
For nearly an hour no thought deeply,
his eyes and his mouth twitching nervous
ly. Then
az know what will do, fell from bis
lips.
Leaving his chair, no went to a bureau
In the room whero he was and from one
of its drawers removed a small box. Out
OF the box he took q quantity set diamond
ring, which he turned over and over In his
hands, while the tears ooursed down his
checks.
"It belonged TO my sainted mother, and
IL will grievo me to part with II, J" he said
huskily. But am confident that any
pawnbroker will advance me money
enough on IL TO enable me TO cancel my In
dsbtedness and allow me sufficient time
to redeem It."
Within an hour the ring was In the
keeping Of money lender" and Burton
had $3.50 at his dlsposal-nearly $50 more
than his Indebtedness.
Some two weeks later, as he again sat
alone In his room, his boarding mistress
conducted IA middle aged man into his
presence.
my name Is Walter Stevens" the new.
conner remarked whom no and Burton we o
alone, and have come TO SEQ you on I'M
portance TO both Of us."
please be seated" Burton rejoned, ex.
tending u chair to his visitor.
WAS your mothers maiden name Flor.
ence AbbottP inquired Mr.. Stevens as he
sat down.
lit was" Burton replied.
Was her birthplace Schenectady. New
York;"
YES, sir and his tone indicated Bur-
toms amazenont at tho question, coming
from an absolute stranger.
when did she leave that placei"
I'm 1888. Soon after learning that her
father had been killed In one Of the great
hae0 % 81 Ill a.
Schenectady TO New York city, where she
remained few months, and thence went
TO Springfield, Mass, where sho lived
until her dcath--10 years ago."
Where was she marrfedf"
"In Springfield.
lis your father livingi"
HE died when was years Of age"
"Haye you any brothers or sistorsf'
Il was my parents only child"
"Then 1t affords INC great pleasure TO In
form you that you arc to be Immediately
placed In the possession OF nearly $780,
O0O."
"Whatp' Burton fairly screamed.
"The report that your mother father
not your grandfather, because you were
not born-was killed in battle was incor-
rect though he was so badly wounded that
IL was not expected that he would live,"
Mr.. Stevens began.
early I'm 1864 he was discharged from
the army and returned TO Schenectady,
to find that his only child had gone from
the place, whittier he was unable TO learn.
I'm 1868 no and went To Colorado,
where we were partners In working o
claim-as we had been companions In bat
tlc-a claim that yielded handsomely.
I'm 1870 he was 50 injured In the mine
that he died In few days, but not till
he had made me the trustee OF his property,
to be held for the benefit Of his daughter
OF such children as she might have,
my endeavors to obtain any informa-
ton with reference 10 her were In vain un-
I'll this afternoon, when I chanccd to see
In a pawnbroker's very peculiar ring
which / Immediately identified as one be-
longing to Florence Abbott's mother,
whose home was years ago, near mine.
The ring brought me here.
II have only to add that the money in
trusted TO me as q trustee i so invested
that, without any delay, can, as afore-
said, put you In possession Of nearly $780,
0Oo"
Burton grasped Mr.. Stevens by the hand,
but uttered not word.
Ere another day had elapsed Burton
had acquainted Miss Trevylan with his
good luck" asked her to become his
wife, which she readily consented 70 do,
and with her fathers hearty approval.
But" she smilingly observed, ~
should have been Just as willing 10 marry
you when you were penniless, and father
would have been as willing to have me,
because you are our ideal Of what q man
ought TO be. boston Globe.