The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-27
The Shamrock Ring.
F'rom Household Words. In Four Parts.)
PART III.

| that sad time. putting Il away with Eric's
\ letters and placing the shamrock ring on
! her third finger, had daily worn it since.
! 1t was not an ordinary looking ring-rather
| Conspicuous. In fact; and Helen nerveusiy
| thought that all eyes must be upon IL tor
| a moment she felt tempted TO take IL OF;
| but in order to put it in safety. she must
| find her purse. The pocket where that lay
| was in remote seam of her skirt; indeed.
she was sitting upon it. and the lady next
| to her was of so massive build that the
necessary movement to reach II was almost
impossible. There was nothing to be done,
therefore but 20 keep the hand as much
out Of sigfrt as possible, and pretend not
| to notice it herself.
Thus all futter and nervousness, Helen
lifted her eyes at Turnham Green, and saw
the unknown enter as usual. Taking his
accustomed seat in the far corner, with
his quiet look at her, he unfolded his pa
par. Helen Sid her offending member out
of sight between herself and the Gladstone
bag of her left-hend neighbor. and sat
locking out of the window. So far good;
but a station or two farther on the Glad
stone bag and its owner got out, and Hell
ems bare hand lay confessed.
She gave a quick, half-frightened glance
at the quiet figure in the corner. His eyes
Were fixed on her hand; his face wore an
expression of surprise, mingled with an
other feeling, for which poor, confused
Helen could find no name.
Then their eyes met, hers tintd, almost
imploring, his questioning, anxious, ana
yes glad, as the eyes OF one who has dis
covered an unexpected way out of diff
Guilty. Helen, covered with confusion. turDi
ed her head away. She could feel that he
looked constantly from her hand TO her
face: she felt, too, that there was some
thing unusual in his steadfast regard, and
the troubled curiosity which this feeling
awoka kept her, for the time being, from
dwelling on the sorrowful knowledge that
she might never see him again.
But at the last, sadness must needs be
uppermost, and in leaving the carriage she
stole shy glance at him. To her surprise,
he deliberately folded his paper, and step
ped on to the platform. Helen turned
quickly away, her heart beating almost to
suffocation in the sudden access of Won
der, and her limbs trembled as she pass
ed up the double staircase and out of the
station. She could not look back, but she
knew that firm footstep followed her,
unfamiliar, yet having no sense of strange
ness.
rhe way to her new home, which she
had intended to visit before commencing
her teaching round lay in the opposite di-
rection TO that which she usually went, but
in her confusion she forgot all about the
fat. Acting upon impulse. or, perhaps.
precedent, she stepped into a blue 'bus
waiting outside the station, and taking
seat at the far end, looked out OF the
front window. A little farther on, when
the conductor took her fare, she found
herself alone in the vehicle. Helen left
the bus at Kensington church, though
usually alighting at Holland Park, and
hurried along the High street without one
backward look or moments delay.
But she knew, by some shy, womanly in
stinct, that he followed. He must have
taken an outside seat on the bus. What
did it mean? What should she do? She
was some distance from any pupil she
could call upon and a long way from her
new home At Palace Gardens, she turn
ed into the open space with a haSty re-
solve.
az will go into Church street by the
back of the barracks she thought. "and
take the bus to Redcliffe Gardens.
She walked a little farther; the footsteps
behind her quickened, came close, went
a pace in front; then the unknown, stop
ping. raised his hat.
Miss Percival, think" he said. "May
beg the favor of a few words with
your
81 am Miss Percival," she stammered;
"but-I do not know you.'
Her old-maidenly pr;rnness was confused,
her palor drowned in the rush of crimson
which flooded her face.
'I am a stranger-at present." he an
swered, in a quiet, even voice, and keep
ing his silver-streaked head uncovered. I'm
order 10 explain how 1 know your name
I must refer to"-he paused, looking keen
ly al her-"to Mr.. Eric Stanharn."
Eric she cried, and the red flood, ebb-
ing from her face, left it very pale.
May / walk little way with you?"
he asked, gently.
She was literally unable to speak, but
gave dumb assent by moving on. He
put on his hat, and walked by her side
They crossed the road, ana entered the
Gardens by the little door in the wall. The
morning being dull and chilly, the space
around the old Dutch place was deserted
and they were almost as much alone as in
a wilderness. He opened his pocket-book,
and handed her card, on which she read
his name, ''Mr. Jonn Morland."
II all came back to her. and she turned
huIrisdly TO him with tear-brmmed eyes
This was the man who had sent her Eric's
ring. who had nursed and comforted her
boyish love in his far-off death-piace. She
put OFT her hand.
81 have so often wished 1 could thank
you," she said. simply; ''bu; as you enclos-
eG no address, I was unable 10 write"
There was no need to thank me-" he
answered. his eyes searching her change
ful face while ne spoke. 81 only did what
ether in distress Besides. I liked young
Stanhan, and, though 1 had seen little of
him, 1t was enough to make me feel sorry
for hin-and-for the girl he SO truly
loved
Il should like to hear few particulars"
she fsftered.
II can not tell you much here" he re-
Piled. But I 90 want to speak TO you of
him, and of our too short rfe out there
together. 1 should like TO speak a little,
toe, OF other things-which--may interest
you-perhaps.'
For man well on IN n1iddle-ase, tra1
elled man, a business man, Mr. John MOI
land was rather confused IN his mode OF
addressing lady: and Heleu's own nery-
ousuess hardly helped him.
II should like" she stemmerei "Ru.
! shall not bel mean, / shall not see you
any more"
There was a sad want OF dignity in her
manner: any up-to-date miss OF sixteen
would have achieved the situation with
self-srffsc3ent aplomb utterly wanting in
the modes, spins;er. Happily Mr.. Morland
took heart Of grace Heien's blush and
down-look.ng glance confessed more than
she was aware %.
You will allow me 70 speak 70 you when
We meet tomorrow as usuas?''
"oh. but she nuTznurei. IT shall not