The record-union., 1896-12-06
STORY OF A Ring.
How Il Was the Means Of a Proposal Of
Marriage.
A Young Woman's Peculiar Method of
Bringing Her Bashful Sweet
heart to Time.

1t was good of you to come on such
stormy afternoon" said the girl, as
she came out from the shadows of the
room and stood under the soft rose light
Of the big lamp.
Il would have come anyhow, even if
you had not sent for me-" replied the
man. 1T seems to me I am always
coming to see you," he added.
That" said the girl, blushing very
slightly, has a semblance to truth %
Il have been here every afternoon for
three months" said the man.
1T was about that 1 wished to speak
to you," and again the girl blushed;
this time the color was vivid and went
as soon as it came.
II wanted to show you this ring
Isn't it pretty?" She held out her left
hand. On its third finger a ruby sur
rounded by diamonds glistened
1T is almost" said the young man,
bravely, pretty enough for your hand"
He was very pale, and the lines about
his mouth were not good to see. His
voice was husky.
Il suppose you are to be congratu-
lated?" he continued
81 suppose so. I think so. 1 am not
sure" replied the girl, but her smile
was a happy one.
You ought to marry rhe best man
in the world,' said the man.
Il am going to-" replied the girl.
This time she did not smile or even
blush
Well" said the young man, drearily,
Il think had better go now. You have
been very kind. I hope you will be
happy"
Don't go YET said the girl. Il have
more to tell you. Don't you want to
know the MANI"
No said the youth, 81 do not
Il hope we shall always be friends"
she ventured after a pause.
II hope I shall never see you again."
he replied earnestly.
why can't We be friends?" pleaded
the girl.
You know that love you," re-
turned the man. II don't want to be a
friend to you. You knew loved your
The girl was silent.
You knew 1 loved you?" he per-
sisted.
yes" said the girl, finally, "I knew
chat you loved me-"
"And that is why you sent for me
to-day?"
Yes she said, gravely, that is why
sent for you.'' Then she laughed
suddenly. 1t was a gay, careless, happy
laugh.
do you remember, Teddy, when
first met your" she asked, irrelevantly.
You were such a nice boy in those
days"
'Good-by," said the young man,
walking iowa ri the door
You must not go yet" said the
girl
''It would have been better Il had
never come" replied the man.
You said then that you would never
ask a girl with money to marry you"
went on the girl, unmindful Of his in
terruption. You also said great
many other foolish things"
"One is not always WISE" said the
man.
Sometimes one is blind as well as
foolish" retorted the girl.
You mean-?" said the man.
Just that" replied the girl.
The man said nothing, and there was
silence in the room for a space of one
minute. Then the girl said softly:
Blindness can be cured sometimes"
The man was still silent. He was
white to the hair. His lips were COM
pressed.
81 hoped you would like this ring"
continued the girl. Her voice had be-
gun to tremble She came nearer to
him. 1T means so much to me. you
see" she went on.
"Good-by," said the man sullenly.
you will not ask the name of the
man ] lover" persisted the girl.
II must CO." said the man.
II want to ask you one favor before
you go.''
You can always call on me for any
thing" replied the man.
The girl came closer to him.
Il want you to stop at Blanks and
tell them you will take this ring which
/ selected this morning" she said,
TREMENDOUSLY.
You mean" cried the man, JOY
ously
That the blind must be taught to
see" laughed the girl, backing away
from him.
He followed closely and took her in
his arms. Then just when the silence
was becoming unbearable she looked
up. There was suspicious moisture
about her eyes and her lips trembled.
How are your eyes now, Teddy?"
she said.-MaiI and Express.