Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1887 — THE FATAL RING. [ARTICLE]

THE FATAL RING.

BY SARA B. ROSE.

We were staying in Rome, although we had a magnificent home in the United States upon a high hill which overlooked the sea. It was a charming place, with its great bunches of shrubbery and aged trees, but we were never allowed to stay there—papa kept us traveling from country to country, from city to city, in search of moldy pieces of furniture, antique vases, and bits of crumbling monuments of all ages and descriptions, until I used to tell Maudie that we never should again know the comforts of a home, or be allowed to remain in one place long enough to become acquainted and get married as • other girls did. of resignation. “Papa cares more to-day for the welfare of that Egyptian maiden over there than he does for ours, Eel.” I laughed a little nt this and glanced over at the still, straight form, wrapped in • coarse matting, and carefully boxed, which papa obliged us to keep in our own room for safety, regardless of any superstitious fears which might trouble us, or any fanciful dreams which might be inspired by the constant association with a defunct damsel of threo thousand years of age. It was a genuine Egyptian mummy, and papa expended more toil and care upon it than he ever did upon any living woman, besides dollars enough to have portioned off both his daughters. And to crown, all he Insisted upon our tolerating its unwelcome presence; we must have an eye upon it constantly, he • could not think of sending it home without going with it hirpself. It might be broken by careless expressmen, and its sacred dust be mingled with mere plebian soil, and, stronger reason than all, she might riieet with some admirer even more affectionate than our doting papa, and bo spirited away like the fair bride in the poem of young Locliinvar. But then we had long dwelt in close proximity to the cast-off bones of giants and mastodons, and relics taken from the graves of druids, and Cleopatra, as we had named her, proved to be a not intrusive companion after ail; so we never thought of her unless it was when we were talking over our grievances and wishing that we might at least have one admirer apiece and be like other girls of our own age. But we did not know—ah! how could we know?—that that girlish wish was but the preface to a fate which either Maudie <or myfeeif would have laid down our life to have kept from the other. Ah, why need it have been! How sad to ' know that if even the strongest affection of woman be fully returned, that some underlying sorrow must accompany it to mar the happiness which would otherwise be perfect. I do not think two sisters were ever dearer to each other than Maudie and myself. Maud and Mabel were our names; she was 18, I was 20. We were both brunettes, and looked so much alike that one was often mistaken for the other. My own eyes told m?T that Maudie was pretty and bewitching, and I was over pleased to be told that my sister resembled me greatly. It was the very day after our little conversation in our room.that papa came into our presence fidgeting about with excitement concerning, a purchase he had just made. . . , •• “1 have secured alh the old pictures and •the plate belonging to the old Lorazzi palace” he breathlessly. “The palace has been shut up for years, and I made the best of my opportunity and bought up everything of value as soon as it was opened.” “But bow did they come to open it? I supposed it was nothing but a ruin,” asked Maudie. “It has. just been purchased by a yoUng American gentleman, who thinks the pictures are worthless because they have been mutilated somewhat,Tmd that the plate is but pewter, and he may bo right, but it is old and the crest upon it would sell it in New York for ten times the price-I paid for it.” “He must be a rarity—this American who believes anything which belongs to him is not simon pure perfection in its way.” “He is a very agreeable gentleman my dears,” replied iny father, smiling slyly, "“and is coming this-evening to attend the theater with us, so that you will have a chance to judge for yourselves.” "Ob,, goodie,” 1 cried, laughing, “One, does get so tired of going about with only one’s father for an attendant.” ~ 1“ “I knew that hews would please-you, Bel.” returned papa. “If only he is young,” put in Maudie. “Papa’s youug gentlemen have a provoking wav of turning into middle-nged men who have just finished some piece of bric-a-brac. warranted to be a thousand years old, ” - -—v 4 “This American will turn out differently,” replied papa. ; - . “You are using the wrong word, papa. Mr. Arden, the Englishman who introduced ns to his family in Paris, called ns United Statcs ns. This must be a United States’n too.” . ♦ “You have not told U 3 his name,” said “True,true,” replied papa, despondingly. “A name would be of no use to the poor creature. Bel would manufacture a new one for him iu half an hour.” “I like to see names fitted to .their Wearer,” I replied,.lightly. “Or hear them,” concluded Maudie, precisely. “Papa, what is this United Stntes’n like?” “I conld not tell yon,” replied papa, desperately. “But lam sorry that I concluded to sacrifice him. His peace of mind Will be wrecked forever. ” Papa left us at this juncture, and we had just time to brighten up our toilets for the evening before dinner time.

Just at dusk the gentleman arrived with [ papa, and Mandie and I could not help but exchange Congratulatory glances, for Mr. Weber was certainly an elegant and fascinating companion. He was hardly what could be called a handsome man. His form was good, hia hair and mustache were certainly red, his eyebrows and eyelashes were undeniably white, yet his gentlemanly air and fine conversational powers would distinguish him in any society, and in that one evening in that little Roman theater he made himself so agreeable to Maud and I that, after he had left us, we agreed that he was the most fascinating man we had ever met. “He is ever so much homlier than papa,” said Maud. “What is it that is so charming about Jbim, Bel?" “I think it is the fact that we havO not met another man except These little oily Italians in weeks.and weeks. We shall have to look out or 'wo will bo getting jealous of each other.” After this Mr. Weber called upon us very frequently, . and together we four visited old-time prisons and modern St. Peters, and papa collected many a relic from among the mined edifices of ancient Rome, while Maudie, Mr, Weber, and myself sat among the fallen though classic stones of the city which had once ruled the world, and talked. I never Bhall forget those conversations. Mr. Weber was the most entertaining man I ever met. We have traveled extensively, but he had seen far more than we had ever dreamed. “ : Delightful were those bright hours beneath the blue Italian skies, but they were but the forerunners of the tragedy which darkened all ourlives. Will ’Weber had not been with us long before I knew that he was interested in either Maud or myself. I could tell it by the gleam in his eye when he joined us eveniDgs—by his every notion. I knew that in his breast an affection dwelt for one or the other of us two. The first week of our acquaintance he broughfletters of introduction from prominent men in America to papa, and seemed always to be very anxious that we should understand that he was respectable in every way. And this too strengthened the belief I had formed concerning him. But which was it? Was it Maud? Was it myself? It was bard to tell, and yet when L remembered the glances I had met from those gray eyes my cheek burned, and I believed with joy that it was myself and no other: ti Cautiously I approached my sister. “Mr’. Weber is very attentive tons, Maud. I wonder which of us it is which he amdires?” “You, too, . have noticed it, then?” she replied, with a bright blush. “Oh, Bel! Mabel! I was afraid that I might be mistaken, and I love him so, so dearly. Oh sister, dear sister, life would be nothing to me without his love. Oh Bel, it is such a strange feeling; all that I have read of it never has half described this strange, delicious joy.” ■ It Was well for me that she ran on in this w»y for some moments, not expecting any reply from me, for I do not know what I might have said to her. Never had I absolutely known before this moment that I loved Will Weber. What could I do? Maude was, fny little motherless sister whom I had always guarded so closely, and now she was my rival. For a moment I hated her fiercely; my heart throbbed in angry pain; I could have struck her iu my blind rage had it not been that some restraining hand seemed to hold me fast. What was it? Perhaps it was the shadow of the coming event of sorrow which gave mo fortitude to stand quietly looking at her while she Boasted of the sweetness,of the affection she bore to the man whom I felt was mine, mine alone. As she innocently chatted on to the sister in whom she felt she could fully confide, my heart changed within me; I must give him up and make no sign. Will Weber must be nothing to me but a brother henceforth and forever. It was agony to me, and I could not trtrst my voice to spenk. ’ i ”Bel, what makes you act so queer?” asked Maud at last. “Oh, I know you think I ought not to talk like this, even to you, until he has spoken to me of his love. Never mind, Madam Propriety. I feel that it will not be long before he speaks now.” “Did papa tell you we were all going out to Mr. Weber’s place this afternoon and have a look at papa’s treasures?” “Yes, he did,” replied Maud; “And I have been thinking that perhaps I may be invited to bo the mistress of the mansion before-we leaves it.” I turned away with a burning pain at my heart, and making an excuse, I remained in our little room while. Maud, happy in Bor love-dream, wont down to luncheon

jyith papa. Shortly after this Mr. Weber came for ns -with one of the strange little carriages peculiar, I think, to modern Borne, and we all started out to explore Mr. Weber’s Italian residence, tlie former abiding place of one of the cruelest of old Italian famiTios.--- -■ The day was delightful. Mr. Weber was in the brightest spirits. Maud was gay and witty; papa was enthusiastic over his bric-a-brac, and I alone was silent. Occasionally Mr. Weber glanced around at me as if to inquire the reason for my quietness, but I gave him no responsive glances, and it was not long before we reached our destination. The place was new to Maud and myself, l our only knowledge of it being gained from the gentleman’s reports of it and an occasional ride past it upon our donkeys. A closer acquaintance with it revealed many a feature which we had not before suspected. It was old, very old, and some 'way it brought back to mo all the weird old Italian history I had ever read.- The very air seemed suggestive of the assassin’s dagger and the terrible crimes of the Borgias of old. I kept close by papa's side when we looked over his collection, and my exEerienced eye told me that he had not een mistaken iu the value of the articles before us. .... Maud and Mr. Weber were very quiet, and after we had examined each article and had read the descriptive label papa had placed upon it, they came around to my side, nnd Mr. Weber said: “Now we must all go over the old house together. Miss Maud and I are afraid that we shall meet a ghost if we go alone.” Papa made an excuse. He could not be enticed away from his treasures to over-' look empty rooms, and we then started out together. “Do you ever intend to lire here, Ms. IVeber?” I asked, by way of making talk. “ ’Uni, no, I hardly think that I shall. That fancy passed away as the novelty of the place wore off. I hardly like the impression the place gives me.” “It seems rather gloomy," I replio^. We passed from one apartraeat to another, up, down, all over the mouldy old white marble palace, and at length we three paused in a little roonT with three of ltß sides composed of finely-sculptured marble columns connected with the most, delicate lattice work, “My Lady’s bower,"cried Maud, gayly flitting about the room. “What a lovely place!"- i Mr. Weber did not reply. I felt, that his eyes were fixed upon my face. I turned away from him and was going over to Maud's side, when she exclaimed, in a half frightened voice:"

“Oh, oh, Mr. Weber, look here. See what I have done,” ».■ M«. Weber was at ,her side instantly, and after a momentary examination said: “Yon have touched a spring to a secret drawer, Miss Maud, and been fortunate enough to discover what we have never seen before." It was ns he said. One of the white marble blocks had moved forward from its place in the side of the wall, and we saw thnt it was hollowed ont into the semblance of a drawer., At first it seemed to be empty, but Mr. Weber’s gray eyes had discovered something ut the bottom. » , “A ring,” ho cried,, bringing forth ft dusty circlet of gold. “Worth more than all your father’s collection, 100. ” A jewel unworn since the middle ages undoubtedly. See, Miss Mabel, it has a setting too; just note the peculiar luster of the stone." I glanced at the jewel which he had polished with his silk handkerchief, and its dull, unnatnral gleam made me shudder. It reminded me of the light in the eye of a serpent. “This jewel must have an owner," said Mr Weber, looking straight at me. “But which of the two fair damsels shall it be?” He held it up ns he spoke and Maud blushed rosy red. Mr. Weber moved a little nearer toward me. It seemed as if I were to be his choice. I turned quickly and ran out of the room and down the steps leading to the hall where papa was awaiting us. I did not tell him of our discovery, but I could not help eagerly waiting for the appearance of Mr. AVeber and my sister. They came at last, and 1 saw that the ring encircled Maud's finger. Mr. Weber began to relate the strange circumstance and Maud came straight to me. “Bel, dear sister, coax papa to return at once. Ido not feel right.” <,l Did he say anything?” I whispered. “No, I’m provoked at him; nothing only that I had a right to the ring as its discoverer. Lets go, papa,” she continued, “l am tired.” r I glanced at her face. It seemed as if some light in it were extinguished, and I hastened our departure. Papa could talV’of nothing but Maud's jewel all the way back to the hotel, and I think no one noticed but myself the deathlike pallor of her face. “I am faint,” she whispered, as we alighted at the ladles’ entrance. « “Lean on me, dear sister,” I replied, throwing my arm about her. AVe had entered our room, and I wns removing her wraps when she staggered and fell headlong in a faint as I thought. I hastily called papa, and Mr. AVeber ran for a physician. Maud could not be brought out of the strange state into which she had fallen, and it was with raptures that, I welcomed the physician when at length he came. He was an Englishman, and a welllearned man.

“She is dead," he said at once. “I think she has been poisoned.” __ . Every doctor in tho ancient place was summoned, and no one of them disagreed witij the verdict of the first comer. Our darling, my little sister, was dead, but who could there be that was enough ' her enemy to have wished her death. This puzzled us for hourß, but at length a wrinkled, yellow, little old Italian saw the ring which now lay upon our dressing table. “See, the cause of her death!” he cried in broken Italian. “The ring, the poisoned ring.” ’ v._T~ • His words were shortly verified. There was a tiny puncture upon Maudie’s finger just under the spot where "the ring had rested, and there the poison had entered her system and did its fatal work. All the English people and the Americans in the city came to condole with us, and to see the remnant of the dark days of Italy, which had found its way to the light only to deprive us of our darling. It formoil a sensational item for the newspapers of several of the great capital cities of the world, and then Maud wns forgotten by all but us three. I speak in that way because Mr. AVeber remained with üb. He told me that he never had cared for Maud save as for a sister, having loved me from the first, and he is now my own loving husband. So by her death Maud was saved the pain of loving one who did not care for her, and I, too, perhaps gained my happiness, for certain it is that I never should have accepted a lover at the cost of my sister’s happiness. And yet, ah yet I often think why ia .it that such things must be?