A RING'S SECRET

Can you forgïve me, that Iwear, Dearest, a curl of sunny hair Nbt yours, yet'fpr the sake of love Andplighted.troth it'minds me of ? * , Tis in thïs quaint old signet ring, A curious, chased engraven thing I bought becaus'e it charmM my eye ■ And told of the last century .

Pure gold it was, but dull and blotched, And brightening it one day I touch'd A spnngthat ope'd a little lid, And therë, for générations hid In ïts small shnne of pallid gold ' . ! - — They made such toys in days of old — A shred of golden hair lay ctirled - Worth ail the gold of ail the wofld To some one once, who now .— Heigh ho That was ahundred years ago ! ?

But dearest, if hé loved as I, He loved unto eternîty. .