The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-06-17

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cit may have rolled OF on the floor. ma,
it not 7" suggested madame.
Possibly" said he. But il is not upon
the floor now. | have searched carefully
There is no signs Of it,
"Haye you asked Edmond If he has seer
ityn
"No-he is out. and | only missed il q
little while ago.
He was with you in the study, writing,
last evening" continued Madame d'Awille.
lie may have observed it and put it away
for you.'
:" lie would not, in that case. have for
gotten to mention il to me-"
"No--no; he cannot have seen it," said
Madame dAryille.
At that moment Edmond himself, with
his usual cheerful face, entered the vestbule,
having Just returned from brisk morning
walk, and NJ. dArvlle, thinking he might
have heard their last words, I" We were speak
ing, Edmond, about my seal ring, which |
have mislaid. You have not seen it, pre-
sumo. lying anywhere in the libarys'
"No, monsieur" said Edmond, "that is,
not since Yesterday evening, when remem-
Der that you used It in preparing your letters.
held candle by which you melted the
wax to seal them, if you recollect. It was
then that ! observed the ring last. Did you
not put it on again."
al do not think did. Well, we will
search in the library once more"
"Allow me to assist you, sir" said Eds
mond.
They sought together. We all looked
wherever We thought il possible the ring
might be found. for il was one which Nj.
dAryille valued exceedingly, as a gift from
the brother Of his wife. Inquiry was made
among the servants ; but the ring was not to
be found.
.Neyer mind, said VI. d'Aryille, ait will
doubtless come to light some time. Let it go
at present"
i've little thought what sad hour il would
be when il would be discovered.
But so the matter rested. Day by day a
month elapsed. Why it was. could not
guess. but oi late NJ. d'Aryille appeared at
times unusually grave. The reason Of this
gravity could not comprehend. II was
equally unknown to Madame d'Aryille. At
first, observing the moods Of grave abstrac-
tion, she rallied him upon the matter with
her usual loveliness. Then, with much seri-
business, she besoueht him TO tell her the
cause. lie relrained, however, from disclo-
sing it Immediately, but assured her that she
should some time be made acquainted with
I il.
One morning, while walking with him in the
garden, observed that he wore this eyer-re-
curing air Of thoughtful gravity. Without
/ l. 4 lad har.
suppose. very attentveiy. myself falling into
a mood Of reflection concerning this per.
picking matter. Suddenly was aroused by
his raising his head. aud seeing me looking
at him, he sighed. "Come, Louis" he SAID
4" shall we go in now :" Asserting. | turned
back with him. "My dear FRIEND" said he
as we proceeded, "you have doubtless re-
marked that | have been somewhat absent
minded, occasionally, of late :" acknow
lodged that he had appeared SO. I" And ab
sence in mind IN host is extremely lyimpolite,
he continued. al will therefore give yo,
an explanation. which shall be for an apology
aud know you will grant il TO be sufi
cient one. You are not perhaps aware, !" b
said, as we entered the library, "that | an
somewhat careless in regard to money.
very frequently leave il lying about in M.
rooms. particularly in my study, in yariou
, sums. ! have done this so often that It hs
> become habit; aud when | am hurried .
any time, and happen to have money in IN
!, hand, lay il down on desk or table, or thro'
il loose into drawer, wherever ! happen
be, and leave u there, where IL stays until
. think Of il again. From this imprudence ,
/ mine no trouble has ever resulted until latcl
But within Few weeks past, since have ha
occasion tn be more clrcuinspect, hnd thi
my fault is not without its evil consequences
. for uf the sums which thus leave about, !
least one half is invisible after have left !
Probably should never have ascertaine
4 this fact had il not been for certain cIreuH
!, stance which occurred some time since, an
: which aroused my suspicion. But 81 Il !
!, There is 10 my huusehold traitors thiet
: Whom do YOU suspect, Charles y
- asked thUughtlully.
4 "Onc in whom have placed The utmo
: confidence" lie replied. zone Of my ON
:, people. One who is nearest my avn pc
:, snn, and who takes advantage Of the kno'
!, ledge he has gained Of nv habits {" pursl
: his nelarisns practices without fear 81 ill
coyery. I do not tiink lam mistaken ~ q
:, person, but mast wait for certainty brtU
y | make any accusation. The person whnul
suspect has al along appeared to NE such
!, paragon ol perfection. that am lost 10 indi
; nation and establishment at this sudden iii
!. cOsery of his guilt"
A terrible thought startledm "Charles
| exclaimed. you cannot surely mean--'
y At that moment knock was heard At q
(, library door. whicl, was directly opened
. Madame d'Arsille, who just put her please
face into the apartment, saying to her hu
,e band, I" My dear Charles. thrre = one
your tenants without here, who desires
IN see you Immediately"
!" will come, my dear Enilie," said ]
10 d'Arville. "f.uuis. you will be so gnud
10 excuse me for ten minutes, aud lie lullo'
10 ed his wife from the room.