Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-06-27

day Will send il to iry friends, the
Brahmans Mean,y nile it inspires me-
with no evil propensity. and since it
has interested yon | am grateful to it
so far. /"
81 resolved to put the ring and its
history out Of my mind and to occupy
myself only with the now interest that
had dawned upon my life, The next
few days went by so happily. and it
seemed SO natural to me that Lionel
Haughton should be always by my side
that did not stay to ask myself the
reason for our close companionship,
yet / think within my heart OF hearts
knew. And each day and hour spent
with him was bringing us nearer to-
gether and binding us with ties that
would not easily be broken.
'Haughton is very much improved, !"
said my father one day, since l knew
him many years ago His brother was
my great friend, and did not see
much of this che. He seems to have
spent good deal Of his life in India,
and fancy it has affected his health.
suppose he won't return there / must
persuade him to come and pay rs visit
when we 90 home, eh, Theo?"
One evening when our stay was draw
ing to close we proposed to so to the
casino, where | wished to try my luck
at gambling, II am always lucky ii
things 60 by chance, said, ''anJ |
have neglected my opportunity here
sadly Lot rs go and gamble tonight,
and will win fortunes for all of MS. "
Colonel Haughton did not, however,
join us as usual at table d'hote that
evening, and note handed to me after
ward from him told me that he had
been feeling i'll, but was now better and
would meet us later at the casino 1t
was the first time l had ever played,
and before long it became apparent that
my prophecy about my luck was being
fulfilled. | won and won and won
Rgain till heap of gold and notes was
in front of me, and / was the center of
all eyes at the table. played reckless
~, and yet could not lose till sudden
ly my attention was distracted by the
arrival of Colonel Haughton, who leaned
over my shoulder and placed his stake
next to mine. AS he did so the ring
seemed to emit faint sparkle, and /
felt as if my careless good fortune had
deserted me. | wanted to win now,
whereas before had played for the ex-
element only with the true gambler
spirit. And yet from that moment !
lost He also lost heavily--so heavily
that / wondered if he were rich enough
to take it as philosophically as he APP
peared to- Nevertheless SO large a sum
had won at first that, though much
diminished, it was still small fortune
that / gathered up when we left the ia
bles.
''You brought me bad luck, said
to Colonel Haughton as we walked back
to the hotel. do you know, / think it
was your ring"
81 would never wear it again if !
thought that, . he answered. Then, as
we reached the garden and my father
passed on to inc salon, Theo, he con
tinued. stay a moment. have some
thing to tell you. My darling, / love
you. love you more than life. Will
you try to care for me a little in returni
] want You for my wife / worship
you'll"
All, Lionel, beloved, it scarcely need
ed the assurance of your love for me to
bring me the certainty of mine for you'll
If ever tho gates of heaven open to NOR
tai eyes, they stood ajar for us that
night. The starlit garden was changed
into a veritable Eden, and we walked
with wondering JOY therein and rocked
not of an angel with flaming sword,
who waited silently to drive us from
our paradise into outer darkness.
1t was scarcely noon the following
day when we began The ascent of the
Dent du Chat, one Of the mountain
peaks that tower above AK
81 feel as if had wings and must
soar into higher atmosphere, | had
said gayly, land since we cannot fly
let us climb. want to reach the top
of that mountain with you and leave
the world behind us. Let us 60.
We were toride up certain distance
and then dismount and gain the highest
point on foot Three guides accompanied
us, following leisurely, talking and ges-
ticnlating to each other and paying lit
tie heed to us, save all occasional frantic
rush at the mules when we approached
an awkward corner of the zigzag path
way, which had the effect of adding a
momentary uncertainty and danger to
our otherwise tranquil ascent. Wewere
not sorry when, after two or three hours
of this progress, the guides told us we
must halt, and that they would remain
III charge Of the mules till we returned to
them 1t was rather q toilsome climb,
and the sun was beating fiercely down
upon us, but we felt rewarded, when,
not far from the top. we reached pla-
teau where we could rest, while cool
breeze from the distant snowy peaks re-
viyed MS.
Here is an. armchair all ready for
7 -, 49, r, /, a,A