The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-02-13

light is too faint for you to see ito
"Then follow me to the house. There
we will get light. Stay" And, once
more going to the stable gate, she called
John.
An old man answered her, and knew
the voice for that of one of my fathers
serving men. To him she spoke in low
tones, then led the way by the garden path
to the front door of the house, which she
opened with a key from her girdle, mo-
tioning to me to pass in before her. I did
so, and thinking little of such matters at
the moment turned by habit into the
doorway of the sitting room, which knew
SO well, lifting my feet to avoid stumbling
on it's step, and passing into the room
found my way through the gloom to the
wide fireplace, where I took my stand
Lily watched me enter; then, following me,
she lit taper at the fire which smoldered
on the hearth and placed it upon the table
in the window in such fashion that, though
I was now obliged to take off my hat my
face was still in shadow.
''Now, sir, your token, if it pleases
you.''
Then drew the posy ring from my fin
ger and gave it to her, and she sat down
by the table and examined it in the light
of the candle, and as she sat thus saw
how beautiful she was still and how little
time had touched her except for the sad
ness in her face, though now she had seen
eight and thirty winters. I saw also that
though she kept control of her features as
she looked upon the ring her breast heaved
quickly and her hand shook
''The token is true one," she said at
1Orth no nj &c
somewhat worn since last saw it. 1t was
my mothers, and many years ago 1 gave
1T as love gage to a youth to whom I
promised myself in marriage. Doubtless
all your tale is true, also sir, and I thank
you for your courtesy in bringing it SO far.
1t is sad tale a very sad tale. And now,
sir, as l may not ask you to stay in this
house, where 1 live alone, and there is no
inn near, propose to send serving men to
conduct you to my brother dwelling, that
is something more than a mile away, if,
indeed" she added slowly, you do not
already know the path. There you will
find entertainment, and there the sister of
your dead companion, Mary Board, will
be glad to learn the story of his strange
adventures from your lips. /"
I bowed my head and answered: First,
friends dying prayer and message"
lit is childish to send answers to the
dead
"Still pray for them, as I was charged
to do"
''How reads the writing within this
ring, sir?''
Heart to heart,
Though far apart"
said glibly, and next instant I could
have bitten out my tongue.
''Ah, you know that also, but doubtless
you have carried the ring for many months
and learned the writing! Well, sir, though
we were far apart, and though perchance
cherished the memory of him who wore
this ring and for his sake remained I'M
wed, it seems that his heart went a-stray-
ing-to the breast indeed OF some savage
woman whom he married and who bore
him children. That being SO, my an
swer to the prayer of your dead friend is
that forgive him indeed, out | must
needs take back the vows which | swore
to him for this life and forever, since he
has broken them, and as best may
strive to cast out the love [ bore him,
since he rejected and dishono'ed it,"
And, standing up, Lily made as though
she tore at her breast and threw some
thing from her, and at the same time
she let fall the ring upon the floor.
l heard, and my heart stood still. So
this was the end of it, Well, she had
the right of me, though now began to
wish that | had been less honest, for
sometimes women can forgive lie