Year: 1874

to get her letters she forgot the absent
ring.


Such lifting Of eyebrows and whisper
ing! Flushed and angry with herself, she
darted out of the letter office only to al
most run into the Doctors arms


She hid her hand in the folds of her
dress, and with forced smile bid him
good-evening. He spoke pleasantly.
smiled, and passed on. In moment Sally
heard his footsteps behind her as she
walked rapidly home She would not
turn nor speak to him on the public road,
and that would only make matters ten
times worse. What was she to do? 1t
was dreadful. How she wished she had
never touched the ring


10 her surprise, he overlook her, and
quietly and firmly put her arm in his.
For moment she experienced a sense of
unutterable relief and satisfaction. She
leaned upon him for support, and was
gratliled as he seemed to draw her closer.
How good in him to come to her rescue


1.-The curtain has not been rung down
yet, Miss Depford'"


The curtain Oh he was only carving
out the Joke! With a forced laugh she
took the hint and in a moment was as
merry and chatty as ever Once the Doctor
looked at her in a questioning way, and
once he was silent for whole minute.


They walked on arm-in-arm up the
village street, and at the sight, half the
town was dumb with astonishment, and
the other half whispered the dreadful
news about the missing ring


Little did they care They walked on and
on, and almost before Sally was aware of
It they arrived at the Doctors gate. The
Doctor opened the wicket, and with a
smile held it wide for her to enter


She paused Was it right? Was she
not carrying the joke altogether too far !?
The blood mounted to her temples. and
she was silent


"Will you come in, Miss Deptord, and
make us a little call?n


s'No--l--thank you. Not-noWn


She put out her hand to sustain herself,
and laid her ungloved fingers on the top
Of the gate-post. She felt ready to faint
with modification, shame and disappoint-
ment This was the end 1t was only 4
.ioke,-a pretence,-an


Miss Deptord," said the Doctor in Il
low voice, "where is my ring?''


She snatchel her hand away, and hiding
it in her dress turned away to hide her
face.


Pardon me, pardon me, Doctor am
much to blame ! didn't mean any HARM
and hated-hated-"


Hated whom ?"


''That-oam Barrett and | was SO glad
to escape from him that | am afraid I've
done very wrong-ycry wrong indeed"


"llow SOP


In carrying out this dreadful, dreadful
joke as you call it. am well punished
for my folly. took the ring Oft because
| must-rctlun it to YOU"


"But-Sallv-I do not wish You to re-
turn it,"


She turned round amazed What did
he mean? One glance was sufficient


Come in-pease-my love"


She took his arm again without a word
and they walked slowly up the graveled
path toward the old mansion The house
keeper came OH and bid them welcome in
a grand, impressive manner The evening
shadows fell on the lawn. The crickets
began to chirp in the grass. The air
seemed laden with the perfume of summer
flowers. The ancient ivy seemed to even
vaguely hint Of autumn as il hung in
motionless testoons from the walls. There
was a sober air about the place, far differ
ent from her girlhood's home, The
Doctor offered her an armchair ON the
wide piazza


How courtly and digni!ied his manners
His hair was gray--with honorable toll.
He leaned over her ana whispered


lit is an old fashioned place, and am
such an ancient, solitary


Hush it is home, our home,'


The housekeeper turned proudly away
from such childish nonsense, and turtively
wiped a tear for the late lamented solitary
goose.