Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-12-15
CHAPTER X,

Eaken or Tor mower gardening. bdrDarA
Had said one day that it was q pity the
beds were not put to rights; and now JAS
per was attending to her wishes during
her absence.
Suddenly he heard the clatter of horse's
hoofs in the lane. He went hastily from
the garden and saw the young groom urg-
ing on his tagged horse and leading an
other by the bride, with a lady's saddle
on it.
where is your mistress? Is anything
the matter?"
Nothing" answered the led "She is
Behind. In taking off her glove she lost
her ring and now I must get lantern
DO look for it,"
Jasper got the lantern out of the stable
and lighted the candle in the kitchen.
Then he ran with it along the rough,
BtOnestrewn lane, between walls Of moor
stone, till he came to the moor. He fol-
lowed the track rather than road which
traversed it.
When suddenly Jasper came up 90 Miss
Jordan, he took her unawares. She was
STOPPING, searching the ground, and, in
her dark-green riding habit, he had mis-
taken her for gorse bush. When he ar
rived with the lantern she arose abruptly,
and on recognizing the young man the
riding whip dropped from her hand.
.Alr Jasperg' she exclaimed.
Miss Barbara"
They stood STILL looking at each other
sn the twilight One of her white hands
was gloyeless.
A"What has brought you here?" asked
Barbara, STOPPING and picking up her
whip with one band and gathering her
fabit with the other.
II heard that you had lost something"
Yes; ! was thoughtless. was warm,
ana | hastily whisked off my glove that
might pass my hand over my brow, and
I felt as | pIucked the glove away that
my aunt's ring came off, so L sent the
groom for the lantern"
II took the liberty of coming myself.
He is boy, and tired with his long jour
aey; besides, the horses have to be at
Aended to. l hope you are not displeas-
ed"
son the contrary" she replied, in her
frank, kindly tone, Il am glad to see you.
When one has been from home long dis
tauce it is pleasant to meet messenger
arom home to say how all are
"You are carrying something" he said;
slet me relieve you, Miss Jordan
'It is-your VIOLIN
Miss Barbara! how kind, how good!
You have carried it all the way!"
mot at all. Johnny Ostler had it most
mart" Her voice became cold, her pride
was touched; she did not choose that he
should know the truth.
but you thought of bringing 1t.
Not at all. Your father insisted on its
Being taken from his house. The boy has
4he rest of your things, as many as could
be carried"
Nothing further was said. They search
ed together for the glove. They were
forced to search closely together because
the lantern cast but poor light round.
"Mr. Jasper, / saw your father" Bar
Sara spoke in a low voice, their heads
were not far asunder. Il told him where
you were"
miss Barbara, did he say anything to
YOU about me? Did he say anything
about the-the loss of the money!"
''He refused to hear about you. He
would hardly listen to Il word l said
Did he tell you who took the money!
No" She paused. why should he?
know-it was you
Jasper sighed
Il can see," pursued Barbara, that you
were hard tried. | know you had no
Happy home, that you had no mother, and
that your father may have been harsh and
exacting, but-hut--' her voice shook.
"Excuse me, 1 am tired, and anxious
about my ring 1t is sapphire surround
ed with diamonds"
81 have found your glove" suddenly ex-
claimed Jasper joyously. He rose and
held up u dogskin riding glove with
gauntlet.
Feel inside if the ring be there said
Barbara. II cannot do so myself, one
hand is engaged with my whip and skirt -
81 can feel 1.-THE hoop-through the
Rather"
81 am so glad, so much obliged to you,
Mr. Jasper She held out her white hand
with the ring-fnger extended. please
yslt it in place, and l will close my fist
I'LL reach home"
She made the request without thought,
considering only that she had her whip
and gathered skirt in her right, gloved
Aand.
Jasper opened the lantern and raised it.
The diamonds sparkled. Yes, that is
my ring" said Barbara.
He set the lantern on stone a slab
OF white feidspar that lay on the grass.
Then he lightly held her hand with his
left, and with the right placed the ring
On her finger.
Bat the moment it was in place and his
Singers held it there, a shock of terror
and shame went to Barbara'S heart What
anconsiderateness had she been guilty of.
The reflection of the light from the white
keidspar was in their faces. In a moment,
unable to control herself. Barbara burst
EAto tears. Jasper stopped and kissed the
Singers he held.
She started back. snatched her hand
from him, clenched her fist and struck her
Breast with it. ''How dare you! You
you-the escaped convict! Go on; will
fallow. You have insulted me-
He obeyed. But as he walked back to
MorweI ahead of her, he was not cast
down. He had wrenched open for one
moment fast-closed heart, had looked in
and made discovery.