New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
THE RING.

heiress and which, though oi'ei llia "a ac
iact of scornful wit, ever accep'eu anu ILL.,.
centahle. II meant the ratification OF s"Ie'
and binding contract with the cnosen on -
man to whom wealth was no opJee' q, an" Hoz1,ed
no allurement and, for that reason, IL u"N~''N
ovae familiar with the radiance or germs. IN.
The fingers that had just pestoweu e.e M e. g.
still casped hers with tender pressure, au ona
the first time she noticed their single oina
nent-an oddly shaped gold ring, that iou"u
fault in her fastdous eyes ,..
"Why do you wear this?" she asKeo WITH
curl of the lip. . , ca
because / value it," replied her lover Sc
cretly resenting the little sneer 49, o..
Her curiosity was reused: Ihous far sn ne, i1 10
that TO- some reason he woud prefer io' ~
talk about it. she persisted.
"Did you buy IL?
mo; it was given to me-
"Ry friend
"By the best friend ever had"
The 1aconic replies annoyed her. one oroppeo
his hand, saying: We'll, don't aum , ~, Nth
He accepted this dismissal of the subject WIN
,ut q word and the conversation drifted >nto
another channel-one Of the winding tributaries
of love Future plans were discussed, ana
dates were fixed, to a running accompaniment
Of jest and laughter. .,. -,.,oo
Suddenly the ring caught her careless glance
again. ,a o,n.,no 20 q ,r,net,entlv:
eft fascinates me- / am sure 1t has history
Tell me-" .,r,oud
and certain of compliance. Leaning back she
closed her eyes anguidly and waited
eco on she said at last with some surprise
And still ne hestated
II. is a sad one. You would not care to
know it,"
She sat erect intensely curious.
Indeed | would now that you are so mys-
terious Does 1t contain poison? Is 1t Ma
sonic symbol? Or perhaps some weird sign Vi
wtchery?'
unable to answer in the same banterng strain.
MY DEAR" he said. gently, ut was given to
me by one who is dead.
She was momentarily silent. then began again:
Il have never noticed it before,
"And yet l always wear it,
Why"
cause / value ii more than anything possess
well / will give you one. quite as quaint.
and with original inscription-will you wear
1t for me?
Her pretty eagerness made him smile
"Of course l will
She flushed little. Il mean, Will you wear
It instead of ths?"
NO; ! cannot promise that"
His answer startled her; it was so grave and
resolute. She renewed the attack But. don't
you see If I gave 1t you. 1t would be your
most precious possession Don't you care for
me better than any one in the world?'
He drew her TO him fondly.
Yes: l can answer that with truth. but you
would not have me break my promise?'
What prOmise?
81 vowed to wear it as long as live. II 1t be
possible, it shall be buried with me-"
The dying have no right to extort such prom
tiously Your friend was extremely selfish
"Oh. Cynthia she was an angel"
There more sorrow than anger in the
tone. He did not look for much depth OF feel
ing in Cyntha-she had been too spolit 1t was
his task to bring out the lovable points in her
nature that her luxurious life had left unde-
veloped and In which his love-dimmed eyes
bad foreseen great and noble possibilities
"She was-your first wife," asked Cynthia
slowly. and showing disposition to retract
her former opinion
yes; the ring had been in her family for
many generations She considered 1t kind
of talisman. and wore II always. till. dying. she
ed O There
1T did not bring her luck" said Cynthia, her
voice still sounding hard and unnatural
that ended three years Of happiness he
assented bitterly. still she believed In its
power. and said it would link me with the
CYNTHIA interrupted. passionately:
But there Is your future, and my future,
she said. rising and pacing the room rapidly
II don't want you TO be always dwelling upon
what has been, making useless comparisons !
want you only to care for me-only to think OF
me- Look" she went on, facing him suddenly
with wet eyes. you have made me cry. But 1t Is
better that we understand each other before 1t
is too late. want TO tell you what feei-but-
but it chokes me-" She put her hand to her
throat.
Her agitation alarmed him. This foolish
rivalry. this jealousy Of the dead was unac-
countable He strove TO calm her
Cynthia, what have said to hurt you! HOW
shall the past affect the promise OF our ives -!
The shrine that pure and lovely spirit holds in
my heart deprves you OF no fraction or the
love that is yours; it is something sacred
and apart. will not believe you can misun-
she had hardly listened TO his argument feel
ing only from its tenor that she was being
thwarted. Now she turned. speaking vehement
w. an angry patch of color on either cheek.
Then there Is always to be shadow be-
tween US / am to give all-al-and TO share
your devotion with the memory OF the absorb
ing love you hardly need that bauble to re-
call"
You are unreasonably excited Pause mo-
ment, Cynthia; sit down"
She obeyed shrinking a little as he seated
himself beside her, and casped one small, un-
willing hand
There is no need for discussion that pains
and surprises me beyond measure. You knew
Of my first marriage when you consented TO
make me the happiest Of men. Nothing has
occurred could occur. TO lessen your confidence
In the depth Of my feeling 1t is wrong, 1t Is
unfair. to reproach me with a remembrance
would willingly have held In silence had you
not forced the subject on me. But promise
1t shall trouble you no more. Come seal the
compact with q kiss.
forbiddingly All her pretty girlshness had
vanished. leaving a look of mature resolution
on her face that betrayed unsuspected depths
Of character He waited expectantly, but she
This is beyond me-" he began at last i'm.
patiently. what more can say! what "ouiu
you have me do?"
She raised her fearful eyes beseechingly. 1.
Twill you do what ask?
you know there is nothing consistent WIN
my ideas Of honor and duty that would not
grant you. dear" -.
With an effort she resumed her old charm OF
manner and bestowed kiss that savored more
of appeal than reconciliation.
ut is n little thing and cannot hurt any one.
have set my heart on It, III you really care
for me, you will consent
He held her face caressingly 10 his own.
well my dearest?"
She whispered 50 softly that he bent down 10
hear
Don't wear that ring"
II needed great control to repress the angry
remonstrance that rose to his lips.
II thought we had argued that to satisIac-
tory conclusion" he said. "If you had any con-
sideraton for me. you would not desire such
thing" ,,a
And II you were really fond Of me- you would
not refuse it," replied Cynthia. rising: i don