The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-06-13

CpOA AAc AuuAtcA SlOou ~ Sululi OAuSs
clock. Its high center spindle, with a
sort Of latticework beneath, made an
excellent ring tray. Often I slipped
my rings over the spindle, and there
hidden from sight, they safely awaited
my pleasure. So l heard them now
tinkle down to their place and came
with laughing remark to brighten
Eric's sober mood. But it was unabat.
ed when Nora called me to the kitchen
After the evening meal there was no
summons in the message of the violin
Different stations" l repeated to my.
self pettishly. what in ull the world
is worth having save only love and
happiness?" Then l remembered my
rings. l bad 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 floor,
or perhaps the mantelshelf, Or !
pressed the electric button. Father, en-.
tering unexpectedly, found me upon my
knees after a last hopeless search.
1.-THE ring, Of course" he exploded.
you show It of to a penniless young
vagabond, then leave it upon the man
telshelf-a fortune within easy reach
Of stranger" Still muttering accu-
sations, father went carefully over the
polished surface Of the floor, where no
smallest glinting, thing might hide.
Then, as had SO many times done. he
lifted each article from the mantel-
shelp. There were but fonr--the can.
dlesticlSs, the clock and mothers pic.
ture. The ring had completely disap-
eyed me in stern condemnation. ~ =
"You will make no mention Of this
loss" he commanded sharply, NOR let
the adventurer know that he. h sus-
pected. In that lies our. only hope Of
recovery. He shall be watched. Ha
Is the only person, excepting our two
selves, who has either entered Or left
this room tonight. There Is no posi-
bic way that the ring could have es-
capped" 'et:
It seemed all very true. But per
haps, 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 1t. In the morning
Eric was gone. Nora brought a note
from him as was dressing.
."Dearest," 1t read, Il am called away
very suddenly. win explain when I
see you" "a. ~
A sickening sense Of the TRADE this
news would bring forth from my IA.
Their came over me. And IL he should
learn that the man was my lover, my
promised husband! In my own heart
was no Thought Of Eric's guilt. E5%' n
Hes covered iip his tracks pretty
well," father said bitterly, ''but wei
find him yet. That ring can't be dis
posed Of without sensation"
But they did not find him. Ny own
eyes, filed with sad questioning.
searched mothers smiling ones.
wait" they seemed to bid me-
'"waitw IT," -
And at last Eric came. WIS quite
alone in the dusk, and at first he did
not speak-just folded me close in his
arms. 81. ...... a..
1T has been so long," I murmured
brokenly, "and no word.'' 49,.
'There was so much to attend to-
my lover said. "And was hurrying
back to you. On the way I stopped to
place a stone-a fine, tall white marble
one-on mothers grave"
Frantically I endeavored to push
him from me. Father stood before us.
I had never known his wrath to reach
such bounds. Inarticulately he raved,
marking his accusations with threat
ening fist, which, gesticulating, brush
ed from its resting place mothers pic
ture. I stopped to pick it up, mechan-
ically adjusting the catch of the heavy
frame, then-I stood breathless.
''Father?' I gasped. Eric's staring
eyes turned toward me. The back OF
the picture was held in place by two
broad strips Of brass. In the; lower Of
these pockets and evidently Jared
from its wedging place CLEANED the
fateful emerald ring For a moment
we all stood looking at it. ...
II don't understand" muttered Eric.
Don't your cried, laughing
through my tears. "Well, one evening
l thought had slipped the ring over
the clocks spindle, but it bounded, it
seems, turning down into the open
pocket Of mothers frame, hiding there
close and tight. It is the betrOthal
ring Of our family, Eric, handed down
from parent to child. And. now, don't
you see? Mother is giving it back to
me to wear for you" ...
My lover came close; father was for
gotten.
Nance" said Eric, oh, SO tenderly-
Nance, you'd take me like this, pen
niless student? You'd believe in me
through all false appearances against
all the world?" Al gr. Z,
Eyes, Eric" told him simply. Then
he said: II am glad I'm not quite so
unworthy. My father died few days