Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-08
M .SCELLAN N Y .
THE MISSING BRACELET.


THE MISSING BRACELET.
"No. Walter, there can be no doubt about her
guilt. i am positive that laid the bracelet with
my other jewels on my dressing table; none OF
the servants came into my room except Ruth,
and the bracelet is gone"
swell, it does look suspicious, confess, An
nette but the girl has as honest face, as ever
saw, and she is devoted to you; don't like to
believe that she could do such thing
s.You can't think am willing to believe it if
I am forced to. You know shall miss Ruth
sadly, but think know my duty to myself and
other servants too well to allow a thief to re-
main in the house."
swell, can only say, don't do anything
rashly. 1t would be serious thing to send e
young girl out into the world with such q taint
| upon her character. Good morning, my dear !"
| Mrs. Mabury stood by her dressing stable med
litating several minutes after her husband had
left her; and then, with mouth and eyes settled
to cold sternness, she rang the bell, and seated
herself to await the answer to her SUMMONS
Mrs. Mabury was not hard-hearted, but like too
many, surrounded by the refinements and safe-
guards of happy and elegant home, she had no
sympathy for those who, exposed to SO many
and great temptations, sometimes are overcome
| and she had little of that charity (which think
eth no evil.' Ruth soon made her appearance,
and stood waiting her mistress commands.
ibid you ring for me, ma'am2"
ssYes, rang tor y0u,'' and her cold eyes were
fixed in a searching gaze upon the girls face.--
She returned in all instant. wonderingly, aud
1 then her eyes tell, and faint flush mounted to
her forehead. Il see you canuot bear my scra-
tiny Guilt is ever cowardly"
'.Guilt what Can you mean, Mrs. Mabury e.
exclaimed Ruth in startled tone.
Your downcast look told too plainly that
you know what mean. You will do well to
Iay aside all hypocrisy now for it will not avail
"Oh, what have donea indeed you are mis-
raken am innocsnt;" and Ruth passed her
hand wildly over her eyes, as if to rouse herself
from painful dream. Something like pity and
misgiving stole into Mrs. Msbury's heart
Might she not be mistaken, after all, and Ruth
be innocent2 No, there were the circumstances,
and they were all against her. Ruth, can you
account for the sudden disappearance ola brace
| let from my dressing-table, without hands2
return late from party, AID leave my dress
aud Jewels usual, for You to put 10 their places
| in the morning. As usual, no one enters my
room except yourself, and so far as know, all
lis right. In the afternoon you tell me that your
mother is worse, your brother has come for you,
and give you leave to go to her. In the eve-
4
had in my possession since you went out, look
for the bracelet, and 10 it Is gone!" She paus-
ed aud Ruth stood pale, trembling and fearless.
She almost believed herself guilty, the evidence
was so strong, and only calculated hopelessly, ii
did not take it..
Ruth, am sorry for you, and if you will
return the bracelet, will keep you on trial as a
lower servant. OF course, could not trust you
as have done. Will you dc it?''
81 cannot" she gasped II have not got it
/ never had i'll did not see it with the other
thibgs."
s.Mrs. Mabury's face grew cold and hard a.
gain swell, then, you must go, and | must
think of you, whom have trusted and befriend-
ed, as hardened and ungratetul. Here is the
money that is due you, and hope .you will not
60 from bad to worse. GOod-bye.'
Ruth's hand opened and closed on the money,
and she turned and left the room without word.
Mechanically she went up stairs and gathered
her scanty wardrobe, tied on her rusty black
bonnet, wrapped her thin shawl about her, and
stood on the sidewalk, all without any real con-
sciousness OF what she was doing. The cold,
damp air, sent chill through her frame, and
then the question came where should she gO2-
Not home to her mother; o, no, not to her sick
mother, with such burden of misery and dis
grace She would believe in her innocence, but
the pain would kill her. But what could she
doa She sat down on step-not of the house
she had left, but of one near by-to recover her
stunned senses, and to consider. Mrs. Chapman
she had been very kind to Ruth's mother, and
always had kind word for Ruth, when she saw
her at Mrs. Mabury's. She maust do something
--she would go to Mrs. Chapman; perhaps she
would believe her innocent. She got up from
her seat and made her way to o-- street, and
Ill hr>v
front house, and soon stood in the presence OF
Mrs. Chapman.
"Why, Ruth, what is the matter9 you look as
If you could not stand. Sit down, child, and
tell me your GRAND. Is Mrs. Mabury i'll 2"
81 have left there-have been sent away"
Ruth said, with difficulty
: you have been sent away. Ruth, for what,
prayl 1t must be something very serious that
would make Mrs. Mabury part with you."
And then slowly, and amid sobs and tears,
which burst forth for the first time, Ruth told
her story. Mrs. Chapman listened, in wonder
and pity, moved almost to tears by the poor
girls distress, and moved almost to say. Ruth.
believe you are innocent. l will give YOU a
home" But that would not do. Mrs. Mabury
was a lady whose friendship she priced too
highly, to risk losing it by taking under her
wing one whom she had pronounced unworthy.
and who, after all, might be really guilty. So
her kludness and sympathy spent themselves 10
words, and Ruth went forth into the stieet
more utterly desolate than ever, but still shrink
ing from the idea of going home to pain her
mother with her tale of woe; though che longed
to hide herself and her shame from all but that
same loving. gentle mother. She must make
one more effort to find a place." and there was
but one resort, the "lntelligencer' office With
talterlng step and burning cheek she joined the
molly group who were sitting and standing near
the desk. what sort of work are you seek
ing z" said sweet voice, and Ruth looked upl
to find herself addressed by kind looking lady
with a little girl bv her side