The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-06-21
The Cameo
Rings

peeped inside the box one would have
seen a cameo ring of a peculiar style.
she was thinking of the one who had
given II to her eleven years ago.
Just then a light tap at her door
aroused her from her reverie, and she
mprang 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
fhe dark9"
Il didn't realize Il was so late" ex-
planned Muriel, as she turned on the
light She stopped to pick up the
box, but Il had opened and the ring
Rad fallen out
That's a peculiar ring" she said,
~and a beautiful one."
Muriel's face crimsoned. eyes, it
mas a strange setting" she replied.
sFve had II a long time. A very dear
Friend gave It to me-"
would you mind telling me about
stG" said the girl, softly, and she
slipped her arms about the others
neck
Lois Fuller was a 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
nhe had come up to MuriePs room.
Lois was expectant, and at last the
other broke the silence. 'T've never
told any one before" she said, "but
perhaps II may do me good to confide
IN you. I was very young when 7
hrst met Philip Browning"
Here Lois gave a little start, but
Muriel did not notice It. ''He was an
artist and came to our village the
summer was IL. He was 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
mot long before grew to admire him.
Before be returned to the city in
4he autumn he told me that he loved
me. There was no happier girl in
fhe world than / when he put this
ring on my finger. He said that 1t
was an heirloom and showed me an
other ring which was exactly like it,
only a little smaller.
sThis 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.
'The days after this were very
bright until Philip was obliged to re-
turn home. At first was lonely, but
4 tried to comfort myself with the
thought that we would not be sep
nrated very long. for the following
June we were to be married. / 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
fil with pneumonia and in less than a
fortnight I was left alone. This was
a severe blow to me, for I loved my
father very dearly. Now I only had
Phillip left.
up TO that time he had written me
long. loving letters, and it was a cruel
shock 20 me the month following my
fathers death to pick up paper and
read of his marriage
When Muriel had finished, Lois was
cooking very thoughtful "Are you
sure that there wasn't some mis-
fake?" she said.
"Oh. no." answered Muriel, ''there
wasn't any mistake. only hope he
g. happy-without doubt he is,
and he probably never gives a thought
90 the girl he used to know so long
ago"
Lois murmured few words of SYM
pathy and then. after a little while,
she left Muriel alone.
One evening, about two weeks after
ward. n feeling which Muriel could not
define compelled her to again look at
she cameo ring. After a little while
she slipped II on her finger. At this
9uncture Lois came up to her room,
her eyes sparkling and her cheeks
2ushed with excitement.
"Auntie has gone out" she said,
and I have a caller downstairs
cousin Of mine. I want you to meet
him. You'll come down, won't yon?"
Az they entered the living room,
snade bright and coy by a glowing
open fire. Muriel started as a tall,
Familiar figure stepped toward them.
Philip Browning! Could it be pos
sibleP Yes. II was he and no other
who took her trembling hands in his.
IL took her only few minutes to
md out that there had been a mistake
after all II was Philips brother who
had married. and II was through an
srror OF the paper that Philips name
was used.
he told her how panied he was
when he received the letter unopened,
and how he had written after that
several times. only to have every let
ser returned 20 him in the same way.
At last he had been forced to believe
ahat she cared for him no longer. It
Amk AnA