The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-03-03

trfends; Maggie, tender and imperiouS,
bringing her own oil stove and provis-
ioT5 to the fourth floor room, 50 that
there should be no more question of
hunger; and the old woman depreca-
tory but yielding. 1t meant less for the
little cottage at Chippenham. and less
for herself but Maggie scarcely thought
of these things. Her father would have
it so, she knew; her old friend was in
greater need than they, and should be
| looked after first
She was thinking of her now as she
stood in the doorway and glanced about
| her little room. What would She do,
with no one in all the great house to
care for her? She was not like these
| people not accustomed to battle with
poverty. Maggie had read that in her
voice, in her language, in her soft, del
icate hands, in all her dainty refined
ways. She knew little of her history,
only that she had lest her family in
Australia, and her fortune: and that
she had had just money enough left to
reach London. From a few chance
sentences Maggie believed there were
wealthy relatives in England. and that
: the old lady was too proud to seek
them. She did not know, but probably
there had been an enlargement, and
the fault had been theirs
, Well, perhaps she could obtain a
few music scholars al Chippenham. or
earned anything, part of the money
should be sent to Mrs Fitzgerald's
ledger. And in the meantime, she
should have the oil-stove and the small
supply of provisions on hand. And
yes, she should have that bit of carpet
She had bought. 1t would be warm for
the Door old feet.
So when she went up to the fourth
floor to say goodbye, she carried the
bit of carpet, and q teapot, and some
books. An hour was spent in talking
and planning, and then she turned to
leave, the old woman following her to
.ha door
I will not try to thank YOU dear"
she said, softly, words are so made
quate. But you knOw"-she removed
a curiOusly-wrought circlet of gold
| from her finger and slipped it on one
of Maggie's. Il want you to wear this
to remember me by. 1t is not valua
BILE, but my father brought it from In
! Ola, and gave 1t to me long, long ago,
! when [ was little girl. He said the
| tiny setting was luck stone. and that
| the ring should be my taliSman to good
| fortune" She smiled wis,fully, and ad-
| ded: Il hope the fortune will be better
| for you than it has been for me- dear |
The next day Maggie found the train
| toward Chippenham crowded. There
had been political gathering of I'M
usual Importance, and now people were
! going back to their country homes
Every compartment seemed full and |
| at last, as though in desperation, the |
guard thrust her into a coach and hur- |
| ried away.
Inside, Maggie stood irresolute. look i
ing about. All the seats were occupied |
save one. and that contained the wraps /
of a young lady, a little older than her |
self. Opposite sat an old man, doubt
less her father, and a young man /
reading newspaper. Evidently it was
a family party, and she hesitated to
intrude But the young lady noticing
her hesitation, Smilingly removed the /
wraps, and Maggie with a sigh of
thankfulness, accepted the proffered
sect.
on rushed the train, past UXbridge,
and Elton; through broad, rich meadows
and noble parks; over the Thames and
through estates whose only divisions
were hedges, tall. green. and ancient;
with glimpses here and there of state
ly homes almost hidden by foliage.
Many of the passengers left at Read
ing, and Maggie made a movement as
though to go across to one of the
vacated seats opposite. The young
man looked up from his newspaper. For
a moment he scarcely seemed aware
of her presence, then his glance hap
pened to fall upon the ring on her fin
ger.
why, II beg your pardon" he
exclaimed in startled surprise. Il know
it is very unusual. but would you mind
showing me your ring? The design is
very odd | never saw but one like it
in my life"
Maggie raised her hand, and he look
ed at the ring more closely.
Exactly like it," he said, exactly"
The old man had been regarding
them indifferently. Now he leaned
forward with sudden interest.
What ring?" he asked. Then, with
evident surprise in his voice: so it is
like your mothers, exactly" He re-
garded the ring for moment, then
leaned back, Not so very odd, though,
perhaps. These jewelers. make every
thing nowadays; and if a design is
quaint and old-fashioned, so much the
more eager are they 60 get it. But
there's rather odd story connected
with the original design of that ring,
young lady. Harold's grandfather s
brought two from India, and gave one
to his mother and the other to his
Aunt Clara. Talismans or luck stones.
he called them. Not very valuable, =
except for their association
and the fact that their design was in
vented by an Indian rajah.'' i
He paused and glanced from the
window, then touched his son on the
shoulder.
''Balston Hail. he said.
The train waS' rushing through an
open piece of country, and in the dis
lance, almost hidden by trees, rose the
white walls Of a stately edifce.
Part of our property" the young
nan explained to Maggie.
Yes, the old man said musingly,
ours because all trace is lost of the
rue owner. Sometimes 1 wonder if the
properly has any real heirs. l would
ike to know, for the OLD man did not
reat Clara right at her marriage. l s
hink he realized it himself and that =
lie wished to atone when he left Balls
on Hall to her or her heirs, in trust.
through all time. Well, what is it?''
IS he noticed the eager, wondering
light in Maggie's face. G
That name is inside my ring
lara" she said.
What" Then, imperiousIy. LET
ne see it
Maggie gave him the ring, and he
xamined il eagerly. critically
Yes, it is the same" he concluded
How did it come into your posses A
ion?"
Maggie explained in a few words.
When she finished. the old man sprang
0 his feet and glanced from the win
ow. They were approaching Wotton. r,
Il will stop here and take the first
rain back TO London, he said. bur
iedly Harold, you and Edith go on -
D the hall, and tell your mother not
D expect me before tomorrow, Per-
APPS l shall bring some one with me-
Ten days later a note was brought tn
Iaggie at the little Chippenham CO.
age. 1t read:
My Dear Friend Maggie:
will you come and be my COMPANION
the hall? My sister and brother
nd their children are very good; but
need some one who will be with me