Mountain advocate., 1922-06-23
THE RING
sy AGNES O. BRooAN

Y
low garden wall. Nance sprang MIN
bly, to her favorite seat, while the
young man took a place beside her.
TITS a great view he said, and as
he tapped his boot, a 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.
Il must be careful" he told the
girl, "and see that does not happen
again; my fingers growing thinner;
your fault, probably" He cast a side
glance at her.
Nance leaned forward to examine
the ring. Bruce Manners bent his un-
covered head until his dark hair
brushed hers.
YES" he explained, unusual and
significant. The sapphire is set like
an eye in a band of enamel-edged gold.
Inside is the motto, I see The ring
was given to me by a wealthy cap
itallst, who happened to be a 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 Its
clairvoyant power"
But" asked Nance, smiling. how
does the mystic eye make known Its
reading?"
Bruce gazed quizzicnlly out across
the meadows
"In strangely, unexpected man
ner," he replied, "and its directing is
unmistakable."
"YOu," Nance asked amusedly, have
sought It's adyice7"
The young man nodded MANY
times"
She slipped down from the wall.
"I am going home" she declared
laughingly: "you make me feel eerie."
He led her, his strong Drowned hand
beneath her arm, his admiring eyes on
her rose-fushed cheeks
Inside the home living room Nance's
family greeted her. Aunt Phronsie's
face wore a frown, and pale-faced
Lille Ray, after one quick glance at
Even mothers smile was strained,
fleetlng.
MY dear" began Aunt Phronsie,
haven't you admirers enough Of your
own, that you must make & conquest
OF Lilies hero, alsoT
Lille Ray" mother gently remind
ed. "is very frail, Nance; disappoint-
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-
night7 want It to advise me-"
Certainly" the young man agreed;
shut the ring sees for its owner alone,
Nance-Rose. To him only 1t gives
a sign"
"Stln I'd like to take It," she per
sisted. She looked back at him, an
enigmatic smile curving her lips-'T
suppose" she Knocked, this uncanny
ring will one day direct you to the
woman you are to marryT'
Bruce Manners spoke seriously. "I
am sure" he said. that the sapphire's
eye, then, will not be more blue than
her own"
Lille Ray was In the living room
playing the plano, the last log dying
in the fireplace.
These spring evenings" she COM
planned, "are so chill I can't walk
outside. You and Bruce will walk,
Nance hastily ended the frail girls
fears
NO" she replied, "Tm going up
stairs to write. Bruce will come in
here. Lille, want you to 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 a song. Il Love
You, Dear that's pretty. Then give
him the ring"
"My! II is beautiful" she ex-
claimed.
Nance sank down on the floor Of her
own room to rest her face against
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 will know It's sign, Don.
How could Il be other than a sign OF
the woman he is 10 marry?'
When Nance could bear 1t no longer,
she crept down the stairs. Lille was
not In the living room. Bruce was
here poklng about the dead fire with
I stick Surprised into action, Nance
,rossed 10 his side. His radiant smile
greeted her; breathlessly she waited.
"Well, Nance-ROse," he said severe
~ you trusted poor messenger;
he llstless Lille. tossing my ring to
ne, tossed 1t into the fire by mistake.