Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-02-16

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air, the birds began to build, and the
hedges clothed themselves with
green.
After sundry flying visits to the
metropolis, Sir Arthur decided to
take up his residence in London at
the end Of April.
"You will not mind that, Leah?" he
asked.
mo, though, if it were possible, I
would rather stay here at Brentwood
than go to London at ALL"
cit would cause a revolution" said
Sir Arthur. 81 dare not think of such
thing"
"One thing is CERTAIN remarked
| Leah-"every one will know of my
engagement, and l shall have more
time to myself. l wonder when Basil
will go.
81 think he spoke of going next
week; he will not remain at his
| country seat alone. He will be com
PEELED, however, to leave town every
now and then, and spend few hours
at Glen, to see how the work pro-
gresses.'
81 shall be glad when the season is
over, and we are here in peace
again." said Leah.
Are you beginning to tire of
gayeties, Leah?" asked Sir Arthur.
81 think it is not that, uncle" she
said, gently; sit is that my heart is
more at rest here"
Sir Basil was spending a few days
at Brentwood before the general and
his niece started for London. He
asked Leah one morning, when she
| was giving orders about the packing,
if she could spare him five minutes;
he had something very particular to
say to her.
She smiled to herself at the re-
quest. How cheerfully and gladly she
would have given him every moment
of her time, if he had wanted it!
"You look very serious, BASIL she
said.
Il want to speak to you on a grave
subject" he replied.
They were standing in the deep re-
| cess of large bay-window; the odor
of violets filed the room. Sir Basil
took from his pocket a small morocco
ring-case.
81 do not know" he said, whether
our family custom will please you,
Leah. | have heard that some of the
Ladies Carlton did not like the
fashion; and, if it does not find favor
in your eyes, will lay the old custom
aside"
Anything will please me-" she
told him, that pleases you
Every family has, l suppose, it's
own traditions and CUSTOMS said Sir
Basil. Il can tell you the ofigin of this
custom. One of our ancestors saved
his sovereign's life. He was out
hunting with his royal master, who
was wont to brag of his prowess, yet
at heart was a coward. The details
would not interest you, but our an
cestor covered an act of arrant
cowardice of the kings, and at tne
same time saved his life. The in
cident happened few days before
the wedding-day Of Hugh Carlton,
and the king insisted upon present
ing the Wedding-ring. 1t was a
magnificent circlet of thick pale gold,
with the royal arms engraved within.
The then Lady Carlton wore it with
vast satisfaction, and was proud of
it. When she lay dead in her coffin
it was taken from her hand. Hugh
Carlton did not care to bury the gift
of king; he took the ring from her
finger and kept it by him. In the
course of few years he married
again, and he used the same wedding
ring. During all the succeeding
generations the same thing has been
done: ali the heads of the house of
Carlton have married their wives
with this ring. Two hundred years
since it was a thick gold circlet with
superb diamonds; now the diamonds
are all gone, and the ring has grown
thin by constant wear. l am not
quite sure; but | think it was melted
down once, and more gold added to
it, and then re-made. My grand
mother, Lady Dorothea Carlton, wore
it: my dear mother wore it; and now
I offer it to you, my love. 1t shall be
just as you like, Leah; if you would
prefer a new one, l will get One-if
you would like to wear the same that
| so many Ladies Carleton have worn,
then keep it,"
What would you like me to do?"
she asked. '"The tradition is Of your
house, not Of mine. Is there any
| legend about the. wedding-ring?"
Eyes, thls-that whoever wears it
lives long and happily. If you ask
me what 1 should like you test to do,
I say most certainly let it be your
wedding-ring. Let me see, Leah, il it
will fit you
He took if from the little case, and
she looked at it with some reverence.
So this was the kings gift. and this
was the famous Carlton wedding
ring! On how many slender girlish
hands had it been placed? From how