y in despair. I determined to search for him
everywhere, in the hope of bringing them again together, and effecting a
reconciliation.

"The day before I sailed on my next voyage, I saw a beautiful diamond
ring on Annie's finger.

"'Annie,' I asked, sorrowfully, 'whose ring is that?'

"'Why, mine, of course,' she replied; 'have you never seen it before?'

"'You must have plenty of money to be able to buy such valuable jewelry
as that,' I said. 'I think you show very bad taste to display it at this
time, when you know that your folly has driven your husband from you,' I
added, angrily.

"She hung her head in silence, as if really ashamed, and I went away
feeling almost guilty for having spoken so harshly to her.

"My next voyage was to the East Indies, and I made inquiries about Henry
at every port, besides 'speaking' every vessel I met at sea, but no one
could tell me anything about him. It became evident that he had not only
left the service of the company, but that he had disappeared from all
the localities where he was known.

"On my return to New York, I hurried over to see Annie early in the
evening. She was dressed for the opera, and was evidently expecting some
one. She was quite surprised to see me, but she threw herself into my
arms and kissed me very affectionately, as she inquired whether I had
heard any news of her dear Henry. When I told her of my poor success,
she pretended to feel very sorry, though she did not apparently allow
her sorrow to interfere with her enjoyment.

"'Well, Annie,' I said, 'you are dressed to go out somewhere, aren't
you? Tell me all about it.'

"'Yes,' she replied, 'I intended going to the opera with Mr. Pattmore,
but if you do not wish me to go, I will remain at home. You must stay to
meet him; he is one of the most perfect gentlemen I have ever met. He
belongs in Massachusetts, but he now owns a large hotel in Greenville,
Ohio. Mrs. Pattmore and I are _such_ good friends, and all the children
think the world of me. I have been out to visit them in Greenville
twice, and they made my stay so pleasant that I always speak of their
house as my home. Mr. Pattmore is in town on business, and I received a
note from him this morning asking me to go to the opera.'

"Mr. Pattmore came in just then, and we were introduced to each other.
He was a well-built man of about forty-five years of age, with very
agreeable, easy manners. His hair and mustache were jet black, and his
feature