The Cotton Factory Times. — 1897-05-28 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SOT LOVER.  Lily Burford, the young actress friend to whom Rose Leighton sent the Indian ring, had been warmly attached to Rose, the shock of whose death was felt keenly by Lily. She became so depressed, and so often attacked by fits of nervousness, tha: the doctor advised a holiday for a short time, and she decided to go to an aunt at Derby for a few weeks. _ _ _ _ . _  On her journey, Miss Burford met with a littlt adventure. The train—an express—stopped so suddenly at a danger signal that Lily was thrown violently forward against a young gentleman in the opposite seat. She apologised, with blushing facer and was assured in broken English, intermingled with French words, that she had not damaged him' • a phrase that tickled the girl so much that ahe could not help laughing. She had picked up a few French sentences at the theatre, and before the train arrived at Derby he had contrived to tell her that he was going to reside in the town for some time to learn English at the house of a friend, and expressing the hope that he would meet her again.  The young Belgian, Robert Feron, was only eighteen, but looked older, and in manners anti address he had nothing to learn. He was much impressed by his new acquaintance, whose golden hair, blue eyes, and white skin were such a contract to his own. And as Miss Burford admired her travelling companion, he had not been long in Derby before they met again. She introduced him to her relatives as her lover, and as he seemed as old, if not older than Lily, no ebjection was made to his visits. .  "That ia a strange-looking ring you are wearing, Lily," remarked Feron, as they sat a grassy knoll near Dale Abbey. .  " Yes, Robert; and a strange story belongs to it. You remember me telling you of Rose Leighton's sad end, do you not? This ring was sent to me as a last keepsake, with the request that I would wear it always in memory of her. But I sometimes fancy it is unlucky." "But why do you think the ring is unlucky ?" "I have such awful thoughts when wearing it; thoughts that make me shudder. But the strange part of it is, they go away when I take off the ring." "Will you lend it to me for a day? I should much like to test its influence on my own thoughts. I will return it to you to-morrow."  "Certainly, Robert; I long to know if the ring has the same kind of effect upon anyone besides myselt. Robert, lam going back to London soon. My purse is becoming light, and I must earn some more money." "Going back to London? But I cannot part with you, Lily. I would prefer to die 1" "Nonsense, Robert ! Men do not die for love." "Are you going soon, Lily ?" "I thought of leaving for London on Monday morning." _ _  "But you will postpone it for another week? Within that time I may be in a position to tell you something I dare not so much as mention without the consent of my father." "Yes, Robert; I can wait an extra week," she replied quietly, but with a wild feeling of ex. nitation at the success, so far, of her ruse. If his love for her was as intense as hers for him, it would overcome all possible obstacles to their union; and when they said good-night outside her temporary home, her manner was so affectionate that he left her in a whirlwind of delight.  Next day was Saturday, and they had arranged to go for a long walk to Belper, coming batik by train in the evening. His usually smiling face was full of gloom; and yet he could not have received any letter from Brussels to give him cause for it. "Did you wear my ring, Robert ?" she asked at length, a dim suspicion that he had experienced the horrible feelings she had associated with tho last gift of the unfortunate Rose Leighton prompting her question. "Yes, Lily; I did wear the ring," he replied, gloomily. "And having tested its influence on your thoughts, what is the result ?" "Do not ask me, Lily; I will not lie to you, and I could not tell the truth."  "Then my own opinion—that the ring is ars unlucky one—is confirmed, and I will not wear it again." "Nay, Lily, it may be only imagination. Surely. if the ring does posiess any occult properties, your dearest friend would not have given it to you as es souvenir."  " But you forgei; the terrible way in which she committed suicide I"  " Yes ; I had forgotten. Something impels me to tell you what I have been tempted to do since putting the ring on my finger. I have written to my father, asking his consent to our marriage, and telling him that, if he refuses, my life will be blighted. The letter was written and despatched soon after reaching my lodgings last evening. Not until I was going to my room did I remember the ring, then I placed it on this finger. Contrary tc my usual custom, I lay awake a long time, and found myself speculating on our hopes of happiness if my parents refuse their consent to out (Continued on Page 7.)  I  r 4 to '  .  t '  •g  t  I  p  llit 1 I , 1, r> 1 4,,,