The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-04-27
o.e.e.e.e.e.ea.e.e.e.o.e.
THE NATTER OF A RING
An Instance of Similia Similibus
Curantur, or "Like Cures Like"

p An Instance OF Similia SimilibuS y
4 Curantur, or "Like Cures Like" 4
4~0.@~0~A-0~00
Young DR.. Henderson read with sur
prise Miss Harrington's note asking him
to call that same evening. Only that
they had considered life engagement
was all q mistake and would better be
ended, had parted, and the doctor was at
q loss to account for this recall.
"What can she want?" he muttered.
II thought we said all there was to say
this morning-more, too, maybe-and !
don't know Of any more gifts to be re-
turned" and he smiled grimly at the mis-
cellaneous assortment Of packages on his
center table.
"Can she be trying TO make 1t up?"
and, though keowing the thought to be
prepostcrous, hs vas co4fdous of thrill.
Miss Harrington reserved him in a
small room. almost len. opening out Of
the library. II was Lcre that they had
paSsed their hapHiest hours.
do you knew why l have sent for
your Miss Harrington asked.
He paused for n moment to draw in
with long Whit the warmth and cozi-
ness Of this little room. They had spent
answer to her question he made the bril-
liant remark that he supposed she want
ed to Bee him.
She looked at him scornfully.
mo-" she declared; ~ did not wish to
morning; so arc you, in another direction.
| have something Of yours. something you
had forgotten, which | thought too valu-
able to send you by mail or messenger, so
there reAiained nothing but for you to
come in person and get it,
The doctor shook his head sadly.
"Tm-l'm sorry" he faltered apologct
ically, but ! can't imagine what you
mean."
There is some scorn too great for words
for time ut least.
Miss Harrington walked swiftly across
the room to the mantel and, returning,
placed on the table small red plush
case. Opened. this showed handsome
diamond ring within. Stepping back
from the table. she clasped her hands be-
hind her and looked ut him without
word.
He stared with puckercd brows first at
the ring, then at the girl.
sour engagement ring" she announced
finally when the silence had lasted as
long us she could stand.
"Oh, surely mott" he answered quickly.
"You gave mr that this morning.
"And you thought so little Of it, it was
to you Il matter of such little Importance,
that you went of and forgot it; left it
lying here on the table," she interrupted
Il beg your pardon. | have distinct
recollection of taking it with me-" 10
himself he was saying, 81 always knew
you were pretty, but not this pretty"
"You are certainly mistaken" said the
girl.
Il remember distinctly placing it in my
right hand lower vest pocket" and he
clasped his hand TO the spot indicated.
THAT is impossible"
Did you over hear two children disput-
ing? Il did" "Yuu didn't" u did,"
"You didn't" 1t came to DR.. Henderson
that they were fast approaching that
stage. He pulled himself together to
crush her with one fine masculine stroke.
II have too much respect, Miss Har-
rington," he said, with great dignity,
mot only for your feelings, but for my
own, to treat so lightly as you have in
simulated the seal Of our engagement.
Had / been so careless rs to forget it, as
you charge, l concede that you would
have right to consider yourself sighted,
IL not insulted, but if you knew the true
state of my heart you would instantly
realize that your charge is absurd. A
moments consideration should have con-
WINGED you Of this. or II your knowledge
Of me was not sufficient a simple exami-
nation Of this ring, to descend to material
things, should have been. But, woman
like, you rush ahead, acting on mere i'm
pulse, and of course blundered."
He picked up the ring, handsome dia-
mond solitaire, to point out to her where
in she had been SO foolish. His face
wore a sarcastic, whitening smile, but as
he glanced at the inner surface Of the
ring his expression slowly froze, for
there stared him in the face this legend:
"a. HIN. H"
And what did "a. Nm. H." stand
for but Arthur Hendersen-Mary Har'
r;pptonp"
Seeing his surprise, his dismay, the girl
laughed grimly.
"Now," she said, Il suppose even your
shall we say nssurance-will hardly
permit you to deny longer that you for
cot vour enRngement ring"
He was still staring at the ring, with
apparently nothing at all to say.
.nd With a little how said.
az hoi;evo I remarked eorlier IN this
,ntor.io,,, n- Henderson, that nv only
n,,nnoso ~ aond;ng for Won was to restore
r. In,, vorr nronertv
A. this curt dismissal the doctor rose
,r;cL,v r. bis foot colorinp slightly.
.I nv, oo;ngn be said but he made no
=. 81 1;rnot;on Inctaod ba loan
NJ - -. ~ tb, odgo of the table
and staraJ Gxo,1lv ,across # Mt Miss Har.
sin.,tor nj. b,ow was nuckered nm in
daan ,rr;ni.Ios but whether he was think.
- -, .,'o r;nr oonnot no s,id
With cert,intv
81 am going" he repeated, "but-but
don't understand If I was angry this
s,,r,,;,,a od,,,;t opd octed roolishIv''-
notns' ' - ,>:Is =; In
ne i paustu 70 "I lnr1' what nm awful ass
must have been to let this girl get away
when hal bcrp'-'sbut when YOU handed
r,n ,,v r;nu - ,,ro mo n shock made INC