d fearfully around the
vault, which was only faintly lit by the flickering candle burning in
my lantern.

A longing came over me to get away, but I felt I dare not, I must
remain longer with Ruth. I felt that she was glad I was there, and
would not have me leave her so soon.

Yet she lay like a beautiful piece of marble. Her hands were folded on
her breast, and she looked peaceful, so peaceful.

How I loved her, and how I longed for one word, one movement whereby I
could know she loved me!

I do not know how long I stayed there. I lost all thought of time as I
stood gazing at the face of my darling. Everything like fear passed,
for in spirit I was with her.

I kissed her cold lips, as if to bid her good-bye, then seeing the
candle in my lantern had burnt low, I began to think in a dazed kind of
way that I must go. But it was so hard, so terrible! If I could only
have some memento to take, something I might aways keep until I, too,
should be laid under the cold sod!

What was that?

Flashing from her finger that lay on her heart I saw a ring. Dare I
take it?

At first I shuddered at the thought. Robbing the dead seemed
sacrilege, yet it did not seem like robbery. And was I not sure that
she would wish me to take it? It might comfort me during the little
time I had to live, for I could carry it everywhere with me.

I took her hand in mine.

Slowly I began to remove the ornament. It was a thick gold circle, and
three large diamonds had been inlaid and flashed brightly.

It was rather hard to pass over the joint, but I was determined to
possess it. Then I stopped as if stunned, and trembled like an aspen
leaf.

I felt the hand move!

Yet I did not drop it. I could not, it seemed welded to mine.

Was it the judgment of God for seeking to rob the dead? I looked at
her face, as if expecting a curse, and my heart seemed to come into my
mouth.

Her eyelids began to quiver, her mouth to twitch,[*] and her whole body
to give signs of life.

To say that I was awed would be but to hint at my feelings. At first I
thought it was her ghost rising to denounce me, but soon I saw it was
physical life, and then I thought God was working a miracle.

Almost unconsciously I went on rubbing her hands, while evidence of
returning life became plainer and plainer.

Then I trembled lest the shock of seeing me there in that silent vault
should kill her, or do her serious injury, and yet I longed to hear her