The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1916-12-29

tinkle down to their place ana came
with q laughing remark 10 brighten
Eric's sober mood. But Il was unabat
ed when Nora called me to tho kitchen
After the evening meal there was nc
summons In the message Of the violin
Different stations" I repeated 10 my
self pettishiy, what In all the world
b worth having save only love ED
happinessf Then I remembered my
rings. I had left them upon the clock
spindle.
Down the stairs crept silently--the
household might be sleeping. The light
Of street lamp shining through the
window guided me across the room.
felt for the rings. Just one was there.
The emerald must be upon the hoor,
or perhaps the mantelshelf. Or
pressed the electric button. Father, en-.
tering unexpectedly, found me upon my
knees after last hopeless search.
'srhe ring, OF course" he exploded.
"You show II OF 10 q penniless young
vasabond, then leave II upon the man.
telshelf-a fortune within easy reach
Of a stranger" Still muttering accu-
sations, father went carefully over the
polished surface Of the door. where no
smallest glinting thing might hide.
Then, ms had 30 many times done, he
lifted each article from the mantel.
shelp. There were but four--the can.
dlesticks, the clock and mothers pic.
ture. The ring had completely dlsap-
peared. For one long moment father
eyed me In stern condemnation.
"You will make no mention q this
loss" no commanded sharply, nor let
the adventurer know that no is sus.
pected. In that lies our only hope OF
recovery. He shall DO watched. He
ID the only person. excepting our two
selves, who has either entered OF left
this room tonight There In no possi-
BILE way that the ring could have O.
capped"
II seemed all very true. But per
haps, I reflected, Eric had taken the
ring for the night into his own safe
keeping. In the morning he would
smilingly chide me for my careless
ness as he restored II In the morning
Eric was gone Nora brought q note
from him as ] was dressing.
dearest" II read, II am called away
very suddenly. VIII explsin when
zee you"
A sickening sense OF the TRADE this
news would bring forth from my IA.
Their came over me. And if no should
learn that the man was my lover. my
promised husbandl In my own heart
was no thought Of Eric's guilt.
"He's covered mp his tracks pretty
we'll" father said bitterly. "but wen
find him yet That ring can't DO dis
posed Of without sensation"
But they did not find him. My own
eyes, filled with sad questioning.
searched mothers smiling ones.
wait" they seemed to bid mo-
"waitf'
And at last Eric came. was quite
alone In the dusk, and at iirst DO did
not speak-just folded mo close In bis
arms.
ut has been 20 long" I murmureA
brokeniy, "and no word"
"There was 10 much 10 attend 10"
my lover said. "And I was hurryins
back 10 you. On the way stopped 10
place q stone-a fine. tall whits marble
one--on mothers grave"
Frantically endeavored to push
him from mo. Father stood before On.
I had never known his wrath to reach
such bounds. Innrticulately he raved,
marking his accusations with q threat.
ening fist, which, gesticulating. brush.
cd from its resting place mothers pic
ture. stopped to pick II up. mechan-
ically adjusting the catch Of tho heavy
frame, then--I stood breathless.
"Fatheri" ! gasped. nric's staring
eyes turned toward me. The back of
the picture was held In place by two
brond strips Of brnss, In the lower Of
these pockets and evidently jnrred
from Its wedglng place cleaned the
fateful emerald ring. For moment
we nil stood looking at II,
II don't understand" muttered Eric.
"Don't your cried. laughing
through my tears. "Well, one evening
I thought had slipped the ring over
the clocks spindle, but II bounded, Il
seems, turning down into the open
pocket OF mothers frape, hiding there
close and tight. II IL the betrothal
ring Of our family, Eric, handed down
from parent 10 child And. now. don't
you seer Mother IN giving It back to
me to wear for YOU
f. My lover came close; father was for.
gotten.
Nance" snid Eric oh, no tenderly-
"Nance. you'd take me like this. u pen.
nIless student7 You'd believe In me
through all false appearances against
all the wordY''
"Yes. Eric" J told him simply. Then
he snid II am glad I'm not quite 10
unworthy. My father died few days
ag0. Thnis why went away no sud
denly. ile sent for mo when ~ vas
dying. He's left me all Ills n vDay.
Nance, ana It's quite lot"
Father cleared his throat ssve al
times before we turned to listen. fLen
az he spoke we hardly knew his ,oise
It was al 40 soft and Inundated.
"BOy." he said; hoy. I've done you
wrong H. sAy thoughts. viii you tpr.
give meT'
"Forgiver' laughed Eric. "Wsll, I
should soy no. for II I haven't stolen
your jewels ! have stolen your deusb-
ter, that's sure"
Then father reached over and put the
emerald ring In Eric's hand, while
mothers eyes smiled at us oil through