I fumbled with the corpse's ring
To which the dead hands seemed to cling;
The stiffening joints were loth to play--
After awhile it came away!

Out, like a sneak-thief through the gloom,
I tiptoed from the dead man's room;
The door behind me like a hatch
Banged--the white splash of my match
Made shadow shapes dance on the wall
As if the devil pulled the string.
The light ran melting round the ring;
Inside the worn script scrawled a-blur:
_'J.A. to Theodosia Burr'_
Confession is a sacred thing!
I'll keep his secret like the sea;
The ring goes to the grave with me."

H.A.

[5] See the note at the back of the book.




PALMETTO TOWN


Sea-island winds sweep through Palmetto Town,
Bringing with piney tang the old romance