The Lamar register., 1912-12-04
The Cameo
Rings

small box IN ner nanu, unmlnuIul OF
the shadows which were beginning to
steal into the room. II 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.
Just then a 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 ex'
claimed. opening the door.
yes, it's l." laughed a young voice.
and a girl of about 20 came into the
room. And why are you sitting in
the dark?"
81 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.
THAT'S a peculiar ring" she said,
"and a beautiful one"
Muriel's face crimsoned. Eyes, II
has a strange setting" she replied.
i've had 1t long time. A very dear
friend gave II to me-"
"Would you mind telling me about
tit" said the girl. softly. and she
slipped her arms about the Others
neck
Lois Fuller was a niece Of Murieps
landlady, and during the last year had
frequently visited her aunt. Muriel
had seen quite n lot OF the girl. for
nearly every evening during her stay
IL - ILL
Lois was expectant. and at last the
other broke the silence. I've never
told any one before" she said. but
perhaps II may do me good to confide
In you. was very young when ]
first met Philip Browning"
Here Lois gave little start. but
Muriel did not notice II. "He was an
artist and came to our village the
summer / was II. He was a constant
visitor at our home during his stay In
town. and as he was far superior to
any young man had ever seen. It was
not long before grew to admire him.
Before he returned to the city in
the autumn he told me that he loved
me. There was no happier girl in
the world than when he put this
ring on my finger. He said that II
was an heirloom and showed me an
other ring which was exactly like 1t
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 be-
trothal ring. and his father used to
wear the other ring. as he himself was
doing. on his watch chain.
1.-THE days after this were very
bright until Philip was obliged to re-
turn home. At first I was lonely. but
tried to comfort myself with the
thought that we would not be sep.
arated very long. for the following
June we were to be married. I grew
quite happy again as ! made my
plans for our new home. but in a few
weeks my happiness turned into sor.
row. My father was suddenly taken
Ill with pneumonia and in less than a
fortnight I was left alone. This was
u severe blow to me. for loved my
father very dearly. Now I only had
Phillip left.
up to that time he had written me
ioHS. loNlHS letteTS, anu IL was Cruel
shock to me the month following my
fathers death to pick up paper and
read of his marriage"
When Muriel had finished, Lois was
looking very thoughtful. Are you
sure that there wasn't some mis-.
take?" she said
"oh. no." answered Muriel. there
wasn't any mistake. only hope he
is happy-without doubt he is,
and he probably never gives a thought
to the girl he used to know so long
ago."
Lois murmured few words Of sym.
pathy and then after little while.
she left Muriel alone.
One evening, about two weeks after.
ward. a feeling which Muriel could not
define compelled her to again look at
the cameo ring. After little while
she slipped it on her finger. At this
1uncture Lois came up to her room,
her eyes sparkling and her cheeks
flushed with excitement
"Auntie has gone out" she said,
land l have a caller downstairs-a
cousin of mine. / want you to meet
him. You'll come down. won't yon?"