The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-27
The Rng Of The Aq!iallIn.
By JOHN ]. s'BBGKET.

fcopyright, 1889, by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
The day after she got there there was
a polo game to be played. A man who
knew Miss Rodney took her to 1t On the
box seat of his coach
.tI understand that one of the teams
has taken on a young Englishman for
the games this afternoon. He has been
here only short time. Nobody knows
how he will play.
When the teams came out on their
fiery little ponies. Miss Rodney gave a
movement Of delight and clapped her
hands. She recognized Guy Stadley at
once.
> ..I know that Englishman, she said.
s.He is charming fellow. l don't
know how he plays polo, but Ill wager
you his side wins.
ga dozen gloves to box of cigars,
laughed her friend.
'.Done.
Miss Rodney won her bet stadley
carried the game for his side His play
was as bold as it was full of judgment
and he stuck to his pony like a bur-
Nobody seemed to know anything more
about him than that he had arrived
only few days ago and had letters OF
introduction to the best people.
cit is cdd," said the gentleman; !;
..but, although I haven't met him yet,
I have seen two or three girls, and they
have each remarked on the earnestness
with which he inquired if they knew a
Miss Florence. They suspect romance
Altogether it is amusing, but there is
no doubt about him. I know several OF
the fellows over there who gave him
letters, and they are first class men.
.sWhere is he staying?" asked Miss
Rodney.
eat the Ocean House.
AS soon as Miss Rodney got back she
sent note to Guy Stadley, asking him
to kindly meet her in the casino
grounds at 2 the next day "And please
bring my ring, she added. She signed
the note ssR Florence. "
The next day she put on her best
gown and repaired to the trysting place
pretty sharply on time. She wanted to
see how prompt Mr. Stadley would be.
She had hardly made her way to seat
Il retired spot when she saw him al
most running toward her.
1eMiss Florence, he exclaimed, with
great heartiness. sthis is an immense
Measure. I have been cursing myself
fer having lost track of you Quite a
contrast this to the Matterhorn! He
cast glance around on the fresh Eng
l;sh aspect of the greensward and the
casino building. "Why did you not
answer my note-the one I left at the
hotel at Zermatt? was called away
suddenly by a telegram, and left a
note with my London address and
begged you to let me know when you
passed through. .
81 never got the note. said Miss
Rodney smilingly-
Glow beastly stupid of those people!
directed it plainly enough. .
"Well, 1 can account for the mis-
take. 1t is all my fault. I am little
late in correcting it had started to
give you my full name in return for
yours. when the guide interrupted NE.
You supposed it was Miss Florence
meant TO correct it later. But forgot
it. And when l came to | could moi
find you. l was the stupid one. rot to
think that yen might have left some
message for Miss Florence. But am
very glad to be able to correct 1t now.
am glad to see you again. Have you
brought my ring.
Yes" He pulled a little box out OF
his pocket and opened it. The tins
fragment of the mighty Matterhorn hae
been imbedded in plain band OF gold
mine is exactly like it,. he sale
heartily. holding up his hand with
ike ring on the little finger. Yours
may have to be altered little Let me
put it on for you.
Miss Rodney pulled of her glove ane
extended her right hand He tried i
on each finger. but 1t lifted none
THAT is a pity. he said regret
fully LET me try the other hand On
hard is often smaller than the other.
Miss Rodney extended the left hant
with smiling good nature. The rims
exactly fitted her third finger.
..There,', he said with his boyish en-
tbrs;a>,,> If exactly fits
Eyes. But cant wear it on tha
finger. she remarked. with high
laugh She felt wonderfully at HON
with the young fellow. he was so franz
and Straightforward. with nice sens
of dignity withal
..Whyy, Oh. the enga agement finger!
Never mind | Will keep 1t and ar
range about it somehow am extreme
ly obliged to yea. 1t makes such an ODD
f,t,t Y