But," continued
the dying man, slowly and feebly, "it aren't to thank yez as I wanted
ye--but to give yez something in trust for Miss Hermy--ye see, sorr, I
shant be here when she comes back to-night, I'll be with--little Maggie
when the hour strikes--my little Maggie! Norah, wife--give it to him."
Silently Mrs. Finlay opened a drawer, and turning, placed in Ravenslee's
hand a heavy gold ring curiously wrought into the form of two hands
clasping each other.
"It was my Maggie's," continued Martin, "an' I guess she valleyed
it a whole lot, sorr. I found it hid away with odds and ends as she
treasured. But she don't want it no more--she's dead, ye see, sorr--I
killed her--drowned, sorr--I drowned her. Cruel an' hard I was--shut her
out onto the streets, I did, and so--she died. But before the river
took--oh, Blessed Mary--oh, Mother O' God--pity! Before she went t'
heaven, Miss Hermy was good t' her; Miss Hermy loved her and tried t'
comfort her--but only God could do that, I reckon--so she went t' God.
But Miss Hermy was kind when I wasn't, so, sorr, it's give her that ring
ye will, plaze, an' say as poor Martin died blessing her.
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