The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-03-17
1.-THE Cameo RINGS.
BY Priscilla Campbell.

Murnel sat IN the tWlngnt, with q
small box in her hand, unmindful of
the shadows which were beginning
to steal into her room. If one could
have peeped inside the box one would
have seen a cameo ring of a peculiar
style. She was thinking of the one
who had given it to her eleven years
ago, and her thoughts were tinged
with sadness, for she had never been
able to forget the donor in all these
years.
Just then light tap at her door
aroused her from her reverie, and she
sprang to her feet. The box fell from
her hand and rolled under the table.
"Oh, it's you, Miss Fuller!" she
exclaimed, opening the door.
"Yes, it's l., laughed young voice,
and girl of about twenty came into
the room. And why are you sitting
In the dark"
Il didn't realize it was so late," ex-
planned Muriel, as she turned on the
light. She stopped to pick up the
box, but it had opened and the ring
had fallen out, so she was obliged to
look for it. The girl gave her a
strange glance as she caught sight of
the cameo.
That's peculiar ring" she said,
sand beautiful one."
Muriel's face crimsoned. "Yes, it
has strange setting" she replied.
I've had it long time. A very dear
friend gave it to me-"
Would you mind telling me about
IT." said the girl, softly; and she
slipped her arm about the others
neck.
Lois Fuller was niece of Muriel's
1andlady, and during the last year
had frequently visited her aunt.
Muriel had seen quite a lot of the
girl, for nearly every evening during
her stay she had come up to Muriel's
room. Thus pleasant friendship
had formed between them, and they
were very fond of each other.
Lois was expectant, and at last the
other broke the silence. "I've never
told anyone BEFORE" she said, "but
perhaps it may do me good to confide
in you. was very young when l first
met Philip Browning" Here Lois
gave little start, but Muriel did not
notice it. "He was an artist and
came to our village the summer was
seventeen. He was a constant visitor
at our home during his stay in town,
and as he was far superior to any
young man l had ever seen, it was
not long before I grew to admire
him. Before he returned to the city
in the autumn he told me that he
loved me. There was not happier
girl in the world than l when he put
this ring on my finger. He said that
it was an heirloom, and showed me
another ring which was exactly like
it, only little smaller. This he wore
on his watch chain. His parents had
died when he was a child, and the
rings had been left for him. This one
was his mothers betrothal ring, and
his father used to wear the other
ring, as he himself was doing, on his
watch chain.
"The days after this were very
bright until Philip was obliged to re-
turn home. At first l was lonely, but
l tried to console myself with the
thought that we would not be sep
arated very long, for the following
June we were to be married. / grew
quite happy again as made my plans
Tor our new home; but in few weeks
my happiness turned into sorrow.
My father was suddenly taken i'll with
pneumonia, and in less than a fort
night / was left alone. This was
severe blow to me, for I loved my
father very dearly. Now l only had
Philip left. Up to this time he had
written me long, loving letters; and
1t was cruel shock to me the month
following my iather's death to pick
up paper, and read of his marriage.
/ do not know how l ever lived
through my sorrow; but l did not
stay in my old home long. Just be-
fore / went away l received a letter
from Philip, but returned it to him,
unopened, scorning the idea that he
should write to me when he was mar
ried. went to my aunt in the West
and stayed with her three years.
Then ! came here and have been here
ever since. In my sorrow / forgot
to return the cameo ring, and when
l remembered it was too late, for
heard that Philip had gone abroad.