The Van Buren press., 1897-12-04

what better assurance 10 give you than
TO inform you Of my own engagement,
which is only waiting my lovers return
from sea to be ratified. Therefore, with
many thanks, will decline your beau
tiful Offering"
NJ words had hit the mark. He had
not expected a little country girl 10
meet him upon equal ground, and dark
red flush oYerspread his handsome face.
Then his own generous nature con-
quered as he said:
AT least. Miss Rita, may preifer this
as wedding gift"
As such felt could not refuse it, but
he went on:
Only one thing I ask. that I myself
may place il on your arm
Then. taking il up, he slipped il upon
her wrist. where i fastened with a tiny
paddock. which he locked with a golden
key, placing the latter in his pocket.
You see you will wear ny chains
while you live" be said. with hidden
earnestnesS. "and I-shall have only this
in memory" holding up the key for one
moment. then pressing his lips upon it
and again consigning II 10 lis hiding
place.
was still sitting where he had left
me. 1t was early in the evening. and |
had refused to go back to the house,
when some one whose football | had not
heard stood before me. Glancing up, the
moons rays fell full on Ross face. With
a glad cry Of delight I sprang TO my
feet, but. white and stern and still, he
waved me back.
= have been home one hour he said
quietly. 1t seems 10 me a year. Twas
told you were here with your lover.
Where is he that may share the cen
gratulations have come TO offer you?'
Ross" I said, what do you mean?
Have you no welcome for me2H
'.Welcome!" he exclaimed, and where
is mine? The star to which my yearn-
ing eyes have al these months been
turned
Ross, you have heard falsely. Do not
be so cold, so stern to little Rita. Have
you not a kiss for me?s
Ny fearful tone had melted him \
great wave Of tenderness swept over his
face Almost had his arm unfolded 10
receive me and let me sob out my con-
fession on his heart, when his glance
fell on the bracelet elasping my arm.
Again the tiger in him leaped 10 bay.
And what is this?" he said, fereely.
This token of your falsehood that you
dare faunt in my sight. Il is like
woman. They would murder with a
smile. Do you know that too could
murder? Yes, your very youth, your
very beauty, l could crush as the flower
beneath my heel. Take off that bauble
and fling il into the seal"
Il cannot. Ross" said. 1T is locked.
He has the key
Curse him!"he muttered. Then is
TO him l must look. He has locked it,
but by the heavens above l will unlock
it, if 10 get the key l have TO strangle
him" And, leaving me stunned, hope
less, wretched where | stood, he strobe
away.
As lay wakeful, pale and repentant,
next morning, my mother entered my
room with an awful pallor on her face.
l think before she opened her lips l
knew all, knew that Ross-my lover, my
promised husband-was a murderer,
and that my soul must stand with his
at the bar of God to answer for the
deed. The two men had met the night
before-one reused to frenzy, the other
refusing TO answer TO threats when rea-
son might have prevailed. There was
blow, an answering blow, a seufle as
to the possession of tiny golden key.
Ross had gained it, when, throwing his
one moment on the edge Of the cliff,
then fallen heavily into the sea be-
meath. From his prison cell Ross sent
me the key With a duh. heavy misery
l unlocked the golden thing which had
wrought such evil, and sat down TO
live through the dark days Of my lovers
trial 1t was very short, and each hour
was bringing il to its close. There could
be little doubt Of the verdict. He had
murdered one man. ! had murdered
twoi
On the last day of his trial Iu0sed
from my apathy to write him the whole
answering truth.
Il took it as my wedding gift, Ross"
l said in closing. You may believe me
now, since all my life is wrecked, nor
have l saved from it even your love"
The Jury were out celebrating. Ross
life was in their hands. This was the
one ever-present torturing thought
when great shout broke the oppres-
sive stiffness. What could it mean? l
knew not. and dared not hope. until
until the messenger of the glad tidings
came TO US. The trial had come TO an
unforeseen termination. The grave
had given up its dead. Rush Arden's
fall had not killed him, but picked up
BY a passing boat he had returned TO
wreak the noble revenge Of striking of
his enemy's fetters. All this l heard
as in a dream, then the waves Of uncon-
sciousness engulfed me and l knew no
more. For long weeks | lived over in
delirium the tragic scenes which had so
lately encompassed me, but when life
and reason were restored the flush, not
only Of health. but happiness, came
back TO my cheek with the low whis-
pered words with which Ross told me
Of his forgiveness.-N. y. Ledger.
II Makes Difference.
She was so happy when her engage
ment was announced that her friends