The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-31

--rou slipped the ring on TO the finger
- left hand. and examined it carefully.
- rrht from the candle. which stood
her bureau, played upon the stone,
t.rfrr ND the beautiful tints and fire
80, il. she then took up the case in
80 the ring had been inclosed. and
- in the back OF the lid a small piece
= ,otepaDer. This she unfolded with
milling fingers, for she saw that the
sor5sritting upon it was that Of her
mother.
a,fv dear Lucy" IT ran. when you
- these words I shall be no more. 1t
a. nv particular wish that after my death
= should always wear the inclosed ring.
:. has been in my possession for many
resrs. and. though you have never seen me
-.sr ~. I have always looked upon 1t as
,,s of nv greatest treasures. Many mem
cries are linked with it. which 1 am almost
tempted 10 disclose. but perhaps it is for
v,rr happiness that I should refrain from
20 doing I inclose it for the last time in
rs case. knowing that you will find it when
YOU look through my papers in the old
bureau.-Your ever loving mother, Mary
Gresham"
What could it mean? she wondered. What
were the memories linked with the ring?
She carefully replaced the little box. blew
out the candle. and sat down in a low chair
nv the fire. She leant back dreaming Of the
mast. and OF the future before her. Life
seemed so strange now that she was left
entirely alone, her mother gone, she who
had been the mainstay Of her W exist
erce. Fortunately the cares OF poverty did
not form part Of her musings, for she was
provided with a very comfortable income
II was now five weeks since Mrs. Gresham
had passed gently away from life, and
Lucy was becoming more used 10 her lone
illness. She was beginning 10 depend more
mon herself. Necessity obliges US all to use
our limbs, or fall TO the ground when our
props are taken away. Lucy found that she
must now think for herself, and act upon
her own decisions. She felt wonderfully
free 10 act as she liked-too free, for she
had not a tie in the w%orld-no one spon
whom to pour forth her vast stores of love
and sympathy. At twenty-three she was
her own mistress. so far as fate will allow
any OF us tTuthfully 10 use that phrase. In
one Of the many conversations with her
mother during her last illness, Mrs. Gres-
ham had urged Lucy TO travel when she
should find herself alone. Her words came
back now TO her memory, and Lucy re-
solved TO make preparations for leaving
home at once. The ~much-Ioved old home
had become a burden TO her, filed as It was
with ghostly memories. She decided to
spend some time on the continent of Eu-
rope. and as autumn advanced cross the
Atlantic and see something Of America.
The first day Of June saw Lucy aboard
the channel steamer. She was accom-
panied by Mrs. Bruce. a distant relation.
who was only too glad to be able TO see
something OF the world at no expense to
herself. She was a g-ood-tempered, pleas
ant woman. with no very pronounced opin-
ions, nor any great w%ill-power of her own.
Months passed away as they wandered
from place 10 place, staying n shorter or
longer time i'm each as inclination directed.
Early in September they found themselves
In Paris. where Lucy determined to stay
a few days before returning 10 England en-
route 20 America. Paris was delightful in
the autumn shunshine. The air was crisp
and lnvigorating. and the girl felt In alto
gether better spirits tina she had done
since her mothers death. Health had Civ
en- color 10 her pale cheeks and roundness
10 Hfl Adllt EltiQeF MEuEe- ole ana MIS-.
Bruce thooushly enjoyed their few days
shopping.
One afternoon. returning TO the hotel
after a long drive in the Bots. they walked
through the hall, IN which several people
were standing. As they passed the office
Lucy paused TO receive her letters. A gen.
tleman was also waiting for his. As he
stood De rested his left hand upon the ledge
OF the window. and Lucy noticed the fash
or an opal. During the few moments she
waited her eyes were riveted 70 the mans
ring. for she saw tiat IN every particular
1t exactly matched her own. Had the rings
been OF ordinary workmanship she would
have thought nothing at all Of the conci-
dencc, but such was not the case. The
rings were most curious. both In the set
ting and shape OF the opals, and in the
engraving OF the gold.
Having obtained her letters. she and Mrs.
Bruce PASSED on and sat down TO dinner.
did you observe that man who was wait
hg for his l~otters?' aid Lucy.
u noticed there was a man. and that he
did not look like a Frenchmau,' returned
Mrs. Bruce.
Tie is wearing a ring exactly like mine.
said Lucy, turning her own roun upon her
slender finger.
You must be mistaken" returned Mrs
Bruce. There could not be another sc
euriousiy made as yours. 1t Is evidently
an antique
That makes II all the more strange
remarked Lucy. II was quite close TO him
and had time TO notice everything about
f."
We'll. II so. II is a very strange thing.
said Mrs. Bruce, d%oubtfully. And SO the
subject dropped.
From Paris they returned 10 London
staying a few days TO attend to matters
q business before crossing TO America
Lucy house being let furnished, she pu.
Up at a hotel. where she found a packei
u letters awaiting her. one OF them was
nom the present tenant Of her house
"Aom she knew slightly. Mrs. HarburN
wrote 10 say that a gentleman called L
'e Lucy some days before. lie had giveI
We name OK Kemble. anG said he had CONT
WET IFom America, and hat he had mos
important business with Miss Gresham. III
-@1 seemed very disappointed when tol'
mat she was out OF England. and had made
particular inquiries as TO where she was L
- round. o course, l could not give
AIM much Information beyond a genera
O-'Ane Of your route. 1 told him abou
""'J date you expected TO sail for Ameri