Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-03-08

smile.
"Then elsewhere. The world is
small.
"Very-what we know Of it. -
ssTrue. For all know, I may be
parting from real friend,'' replied
gayly. "You may have saved me from
a pixie or a five FOUNDER. Which is
it?''
''Let us say from infatuation. That is
certain. Goodby.''
A boggle in my cast claimed my at
tention, and when I looked up he had
disappeared behind the rocky promon-
tory between the two arms of the loch.
As turned to go my eye caught gilt
ter in the shingle at my feet. It was a
gold signet ring which remembered
remarking OH the strangers hand as he
laid it on my shoulder. I ran after him,
shouting as I ran, finally making my
way to bit Of rising ground, whence
could command the declivity leading to
Corriebuie inn. He was not to be seen.
AS came back for my rod faint Cir
Gle of light showed on the darkening
water. The big fish was still rising, and
1 hurried away, half afraid of being be-
guiled into trying conclusions with 1t.
Next day being Sunday, / walked over to
Corriebuie in order to return the ring
to its owner. My friend of Loeb Fin
aich was not there, nor did the ring it.
self give me any clew, for the design on
it had been much scratched and worn
as if by water. The world, however, as
we agreed, is small, and partly on the
chance that in the motley crowd Of
London might come across its owner
and partly from strange fascination
for the memory Of my five minute
friend, took to wearing the ring con-
stantly until sense Of possession and
all odd, unaccountable affection for it
grew up in me, and felt I should be
sorry to have it taken from me.
In the November following I was on
my way to join yacht. bound for the
Mediterranean at Plymouth. Immersed
in book, scarcely noticed the advent
: carriage in which I was seated until I
saw him searching vainly in his pockets
for match. Naturally offered him
my cigar. AS held it out he started SO
violently as almost to knock it out of
my hand.
81 beg your PARDON he said courte
ously, "but the ring you wear aroused
painful memory. A very dear friend
| of mine had one somewhat similar
"a friend! Was he by any chance in
Scotland this summer"
Ny companion shook his head and
looked out of the window. "No He
joined tho majority years ago. A terri
BILE loss to the regiment. One OF those
fellows good all round. Crack shot,
splendid rider, Al fisherman and SO
kemp He paused.
s'It cost him his life in the end" he
went on IT was in India at the time,
SO I don t know the ms and outs Of it.
But it was at some place in Western
Ross. He went out fishing one day and
never returned. A simple thing to say,
but only God knows what happened. "
So inthralled had been by his un-
expected words that had failed to no.
tice the train was stopping, and before
I realized what he was about the stran-
ger was Oh the platform of roadside
station. My gesture Of disnay must
have been construed by him as fare
we'll, for he raised his hat. The express
was already in motion. I craned from
the window to catch the name Of the
station, but before realized was on
the wrong side all hope of that clew
was gone. Three hours after had left
England.
Subsequently inquiries in Ross-shire
elected the fact that an Englishman
had been lost in the neighborhood years
before, but not even a legend connected
his disappearance with Loeb Finaich.
The ring is still on my finger. ] have
great affection for it, and il it's owner
were to appear should feel lost with
out it, for it has taught me many things.
but not to settle the great question:
"Was it p five FOUNDER, or was it
| pixie?''-London Sketch.