The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-05-09
THE RING
BY AGNES C. BRoeAN

~ = N - - ~ - ~ ~ - n - q - - m - = -
Copyright. 1922, Western Newspaper Union
Nance and the tall young man came
strolling down the hin path, to rest on
Il low garden wall. Nance sprang MIN
bly, to her favorlte seat, while the
young man took a place beside her
It's a great view," he said, and as
he tapped his boot, ring slipped from
Its place on his finger, to roll gllnting
down the road. The young man
jumped after his treasure and re-
turned, breathing a sigh Of relief.
81 must be careful" he told the
girl "and see that does not happen
again; my fingers growing thinner
your fault, probably" He cast side
glance at her.
Nance leaned forward TO examine
the ring. Bruce Manners bent his UNI
covered head until his dark hair
brushed hers.
YES" he explained, unusual and
significant. The sapphire is set like
nm eye in a band of enamel-edged gold.
Inside is the motto, 4 see The ring
was given TO me by a wealthy cap
italist, who happened to be lifelong
friend of my father This man never
made deal, or serious venture, with
out first consulting the eye for its
vision Of success, The ring had been
given to him by an East Indian mer
chant, who earnestly believed In It's
clalryoyant power
But" asked Nance, smiling, how
does the mystic eye make known its
readlngf"
Bruce gazed QuIzzlcally out across
the meadows.
In strangely, unexpected man
ner" lie replied, land its directing is
unmistakable."
you Nance asked amusedly, "haye
sought its adylce"
The young man nodded. "Many
times"
she slipped down from the wall.
II am going home" she declared
laughlngly: you make me feel eerie.'
He led her, his strong Drowned hand
beneath her arm, his admiring eyes on
her rose-aushed cheeks.
Inside the home living room Nance's
family greeted her Aunt Phronsie's
face wore frown, and pale-faced
Lille Ray, after one quick glance Mt
Nance's glowing cheeks, left the room.
Even mothers smile was strained,
iieeting
MY dear began Aunt Phronsie
haven't you admirers enough OF your
own, that you must make a conquest
OF Lilies hero, alsof"
Lille Ray" mother gently remind
ed, is very frail, Nance; disappolnt-
ment might go hard with her"
The brown dress she wore was not
as becoming as usual, Bruce Manners
thought, when Nance met him later
at the door.
You said once" Nance hurriedly
began, that you would like to prove
your friendship for me, by some IA
vor. I'm asking the favor now, Bruce.
VIII you let me take your ring to-
night? want It to advise me-"
Certainly" the young man agreed;
but the ring sees for its owner alone,
Nance-Rose. To him only II gives
a sign
"Still I'd like to take IT," she per
sisted She looked back at him, an
enlgmatic smile curving her lips-T
suppose" she Knocked, this uncarny
ring will one day direct you TO the
woman you are to marryf
Bruce Manners spoke seriously II
am sure" he said, that the sapphlre's
eye, then, will not be more blue than
her own"
Lille Ray was in the living room
playing the piano the last log dying
In the fireplace.
These spring evenings" she com
planned, "are so chill can't walk
outside. You and Bruce will walk.
suppose"
Nance hastily ended the frall girls
fears.
NO she replied, I'm going up
stairs to write. Bruce will come In
here. Llnie, 1 want you 10 do some
thing for me. Put this ring of his
on your finger for safe keeping, and
when Bruce comes in give It to him.
Here, you might sing n song. I Love
You, Dear that's pretty. Then give
him the ring"
MY It is beautiful" she ex'
claimed
Nance sank down on the floor of her
own room to rest her face agains
Don's loving head
Just about now she murmured,
lille is looking up from her song
into Bruce's face-she is giving him
the ring the clairvoyant ring. And
Bruce wilt know It's q sign, Don.
How could it be other than sign OF
the woman he is to marry?~
When Nance could bear it no longer,
she crept down the stairs. Lille was
not in the living room. Bruce was
there poklng about the dead fire with
stick. Surprised into action, Nance
crossed to his side. His radiant smile
greeted her hreathlessly she waited.
"Well, Nance-Rose," he said severe.
ly, "you trusted poor messenger;
the llstess Lille, tossing my ring TO
me. tossed Il into the FIRE by mIstaNe