The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-13
The FATAL RING.
BY Lucy Hardy.
Copyright, 1896, by Lucy Hardy

Villiers nodded.
The same man; and leave you to
guess II Miss Clara is proud of her lover
He is to leave the service after thew are
married, however. l think he's done
enough in the fighting line. and thew are
going to settle down upon a little prom
erty which Martindale inherited a year
ago from an aunt"
And you like the marriageq"
Down to the ground" said Viluers. en-
phaticaHy. The child couldn't have
CHOSEN better man. Though I'm sorry
Tor poor old belmont, all the same. for I
think Clara's refusal came as an awful
blow to him. He had known her all her
life, you see, and had quite built upon
marrying her He shut up his place and
Went abroad for nearly a year after he
heard Clara's decision, and he only came
pack day or two ago. l really felt bit
awkward about asking him tonight, but
IL was more awkward to leave him out
and / m glad to find" added kindly but
unobservant James, that belmont really
seems to have entirely got over his own
disappointment, and taken the news of
Clara.s engagement quite in a sensible
way"
1 remembered the looks which I had be-
held the discarded sutton casting at the
betrothed couple, and doubted if Mr.. Del
mont had so completely got over his re-
1usal; but | made no remark. We were
not in savage Africa now, and with what
ever malignant sentiments the rejected
lover might regard his favored rival, he
was not Hkely-in civilized, nineteenth
century England-to resort to the open
violence practieed in earlier days in Eu-
rope, and at the present time in the Dark
Continent
Somewhat weary of my position as on
locker, retired to a small alcove off the
ballroom, where 1 could seat myself in
peace. large group of palms concealed
me from view, and presently a couple en-
tered the alcove; recognized my former
neighbor and the beautiful girl whom 1
had been admiring.
This is the first opportunity have had
of congratulating you, Clara. l suppose
in virtue of our long friendship 1 may
call you Clara still-or will Major Martin
dale object?" said the man, as he placed
his fair companion in a seat and opened
her fan.
The girl blushed wildly, but answered
with some spirit: Maj. Martindale will
never expect me to forget old friends,
Philip"
"Ay, friends" remarked the other rather
bitterly: II had another life dream once
Clara"
Miss Villiers rose to her feet.
L am very sorry for you Philip" she
said, gently; sorry that you should have
set your heart on what you know is un-
attainable. could never have given you
the love you ask for; even If | had moi
met Henry Martindale 1 could never have
been your wife. You will surely find a
better, worthier woman than 1 to make
you happy yet"
"Clara, one word" said the man, catch
ing her wrist as she turned to go; do you
love this man whom you are about to
marry-do you love him as your own life?''
"As I love my own life-and better, .
murmured the girl, speaking more to her
self than to her questioner.
belmont dropped her hand, and an ex-
preston so absolutely satanic convulsed
his features, that l was on the point of
coming forward; but the girls eyes were
on the ground, her happy thoughts away
with her lover, and in another instant
belmont was calm again
II have only one thing more to do, then,
Clara; to wish you both every happiness
and prosperity-that is the orthodox
phrase, is it not?-and to request my old
playmate to accept little remembrance
from her former friend. l procured this
trifle when 1 heard of your engagement
He handed the girl a tiny jewelers. box
Clara opened 1t and took out an antique
gold ring; a device of a tigers claws,
holding a single diamond, which, as far as
and luster. The girl exclaimed at the
beauty of the jewel.
1T is nothing-only a remembrance. The
ring itself is an antique; picked it up at
a curiosity shop in Venice, and had the
stone fitted to it. Probably" and a
strange smile fitted over Delmont's feat
ures, sit has been given before, as 1 give
it now"
ut is too costly, too beautiful but I
shall value it as the gift of an old friend"
said Clara, as she slipped the ring upon
her finger-"Ah!' and the girl gave n
sudden cry.
at was only my awkwardness, she
said, smiling; 81 scratched my finger a
little with the pointed claws-it is Moth
ing" but noticed that tiny drop OF
blood had followed the scratch, and the
girl pressed her handkerchief to the little
wound.
ut Is nothing to signify, Philip. Why
you have turned as white as a ghost"
said the girl, laughing; and indeed. Del
monts face had become perfectly chastity
but the next moment Villiers entered the
alcove with several of the other guests,
and Clara FASTENED to exhibit her ring to
her brother.
Expressions of admiration were loud
and general, and then one Of Clara's part
ners claimed her for the next dance, and
amid the merry talk and hustle belmont
slipped unnoticed away.
The gay strains of music recommended,
the dancers whirled round the ballroom,
and / began to reflect that / was very
sleepy, and should be glad to take the first
decent opportunity for returning home.
Suddenly came the sound Of a fail, a
loud cry cessation of the music. hurrying
feet, confused and alarmed voices. Then
Villiers dashed wildly into the alcove.
''Selby, you are doctor-for heavens
sake come and see what you can do for
my poor little girl"
Il needed no second call; in another
instant we were in a small apartment,
off the ballroom, where anxious hands
had carried the fair queen OF the festlvl-
ties. 1t was CHASTITY spectacle; the beau
tiful girl in her ball-dress, whom ! had
seen but few minutes before in the en-
joyment of full health and spirits was
now lying distorted-dying Ay. as / knet
by her and took her hand, / perceived
that the gentle heart ceased to beat.
What do you mean?' almost shouted
poor Villiers. "Why n minute ago she
was dancing-it is only "a faint-why don't
you do something" he added, savagey,
instead Of standing staring there"
Alas, all earthly aid was useless; but
as l conveyed the sad intelligence 60 my
poor friend, he became so wild and inco-
IA