The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-31
e OPAL Rim e..
BY SHIRLEY

NrIN 111 A01H-
Tor and noticed the opal ring on his left
hand-the hand further from Mrs. Bruce
and herself. She quickly decided that, al
though she had noticed his ring, he should
not notice hers, and, under cover Of the
table, she twisted it round so that the opal
and curious part Of the engraving came 20
the inside Of her hand. AS he addressed
The chief part of his remarks to Mrs.
Bruce, Lucy had time to observe him at her
leisure. He was not a bad-looking man on
the whole. He possessed fairly good fea-
lures and beautiful white teeth. His hair
was almost black, and inclined to be curly,
out his eyes attracted attention at once. 1t
was not so much the color, a the express
sion one noticed. They were dark and bril-
liant, and they seemed to have a strong
magnetic power. Lucy did not quite like TO
meet their full gaze. He spoke with a
slight american accent which did not de-
tract from the interest Of his speech.
After leaving the Irish coast. there was
a slight swell on the water, and the
weather, though perfect for good sailors,
sent several unfortunate ones to their
berths. Amongst them Mrs. Bruce sue
cu'nbed, and Lucy found a vacant chair
between her own and thai Of Mr.. Kemble,
for such they found his name to be. Asking
her permission, he took the chair next 10
her until the time tina Mrs. Bruce should
return, and so she found herself obliged TO
be more or less agreeable to him. In course
OF time she ceased to fear meeting his eyes,
and indeed began secretly to like the power
Of his glance. When Mrs. Bruce returned in
two days time she found that the acuuain-
lance had ripened considerably since she
| LEFT. She was NOT anita crrra cha had done
her duty as a chaperon. but resolved to be
more watchful in the future. She was quite
recovered now, and would remain at her
post.
1t was the evening before they expected
TO land. a beautiful evening. clear and still.
Most of the passengers were walking about
on deck. Lucy and Mrs. Bruce had strolled
about for some time when they were Joined
by Mr.. Kemble. There was nothing unusual
in this. as he had become a constant COM
panion as the days went by. Mrs. Bruce adj
mired him greatly; in fact, was quite fasci-
mated by his courtly ann At length,
being tired, she sat down to rest for a short
time, and Lucy and Mr.. Kemble resumed
their walk. They talked at first of indif-
ferent subjects, but in course OF time the
conversation became more personal, and
at length Lucy was very much startled to
find she was receiving an offer of mar
riage.
This is altogether too sudden" she said.
her color rising.
perhaps you are right" he said. with
some show of humility, letting go her hand,
which he had taken and drawn through his
arm. but you viii at least have patience
to hear me to the end, l nave loved you
ever since L met you; that is my first and
only excuse for my haste; but there is
something else, which may at least cause
you TO consider before giving me your final
answer"
Lucy looked into HIS face and saw a
strained expression in his dark eyes. He
seemed anxiously trying to find out how
his words affected her.
Eyes, / will hear what you nave TO say
she replied, almost coldly. Let US sit down
here" she went on, Withdrawing somewhat
from the crowd.
He took his place beside her. and then,
taking the ring from his left hand. he
passed it to her.
did you ever see a ring like that?" he
said.
Eyes, 1 possess a ring exactly like IL"
said she, calmly.
II know you do" said he, looking stead
lily at her.
Her color rose; she was startled. He fol-
lowed up his advantage.
Now" he said, handing her an envelope,
read this letter.
She took II with trembling fingers. and.
turning a little. so that the electric light
fell upon the sheet. read as follows:
Boston. u. s. A.
NJ Dear Jack-Inclosed in this letter
you will find an opal ring. which l would
have you always wear for my sake. II
has n history. When l was twenty-five
years of age I became engaged TO = woman
whom | loved with all the strength Of my
nature. Even now that / am an old man,
with gray hair when / think Of that time
1 am strangely moved. II is a long story.
l cannot write IL all, but l would have you
know the main facts OF II. She loved me
dearly. our happiness was intense. We
were TO be married within a months time,
when we were cruelty parted by an enemy,
who was jealous OF our good fortune. The
means employed were anonymous letters,
so cleyerly constructed that, although false
from beginning TO end. they bore the ap-
p%earance OF ruth. We had had two rings
| mace eNdtllN dllhtt anu We NAA
ing that engagement. They were copied
from an old one we admired In a collection
Well. we parted. and never met again unit
IL was too late. Years had passed away
we were both married, and had afterwards
discovered the fraud. Neither OF us was &c
blame. yet we were parted for always, and
heaven forgive us. we loved as much as
ever. IL was a bitter meeting, a bltterei
partIng. and IL was final. Before we sep
arated We spoke OF the rings, and vowet
wa would keep them TO the end of our lives
Now you will understand why have treas
ured Il so much. There Is one thing more
nerhaps the most important part OF my let
An4Ss> IVA.