St. Mary's beacon., 1862-03-20
AN EVERY DAY TRAGEDY.

-T
The stormy DeeembeE night vss closed
darkly over the ciRy: and the rapidly de-
saow seemeots GIL the sir with
. wilderness ofshirl1S white plumes.
But Mrs. TreyQGs.boudoir. with it, lux-
urious sppcintmcnt and cheerful firesl
seemed almost like BID Of summsr light
and warmth in sks n;siA sf this dreary
December twilight
Ellen Hope. the pale young seamtres.
had just folded up the cDstly satin dress on
which she had been working all day. and
was putting on her faded brown bonnet
to depart, when Mrs. Trevor herself
swept in.
What: going already. child? BE
sure aud come early Tomorrow morning.
for am in q great hurry about that
Dress"
'.Yes, ma'am." said Ellen, still lingcr-
ing. however. a. IL she expected some
thing more. But Mrs. Trevor went on
tossing over the ,riHes ON the centre table.
as il in eager search for some missing
toy. aud after . minutes hesitation, she
added:
IF you please. ma'am. I am in great
hurry this evening it be conve-
nient fur You to pay me sor the days
work now :"
mot to night. child ~ said Mrs. Tre-
vor. turning sharply arourd; lyon act as
though you imagined MAS going to cheat
you out Of your wages! Perhaps may
give it to you to. morrow, but don't annoy
ine now ~
An expression Of keen disappointment
came over the girls face. but she tnrped
away and left the room without > word,
while Mrs. Trevor continued her search.
throwing the cleaning jewels aud costly
alabaster ornaments hither and thither
with reckless haste.
Apparently tho investigation w:s vain
for at length she sprang huricdly towards
the door. as il to call back Ellen, and
! then remembering that the girl had bceu
gone some time, she stopped. and stood
two or three minutes in deep thought.
Mr.. Trevor Was sitting before the
drawing-room Are. rcd silk handkerchief
thrown over his bald head, and his slip
pered feet poised on the fender. in blissfu|
enjoyment Of the evening paper. On the
inlaid table beside him, stood q cut-glass
decantcr containing dark red wine. aud in
one hand he held tiny engraved goblet,
half full! of the same rosy liquid. In
short. Mr.. Trevor was taking solid com
fort after the .'ftful fever" Of . day in
Wall street.
"Wcll. my DEAR" said the gentleman,
la.ily. ~ his better halfs toctstsp eros
sed the threshold, but ~ he glanced ur
and caught the peculiar expression Of her
countenance. he set down the unfinished
draught. exclaiming:
Good hesvens! Sarah. what is the
matter p
My diamond ring. Charles the soli-
taire diamond. you know"
What Of 1T"
1T is gone-stolen-and l have too
much reason to think that Ellen Hope has
taken it."
"Nonsense. my dear" raid Trevor, who
had risen and brgun TO pace up and down
the room. Il would as soon suspect your
self Of such thing! Why, Ellen is ih-
noccnce and purity itself!"
$50 I always thonght-so should hare
said" answered Mrs. Trevor; ''but the
diamond ring lay on the table in my bou-
doir this morning; two Of the servants
saw it there also-and now it 10 gone
Ellen is the only person besides myself
who has entered the room since. and OBJ
served that she was unusually pcr'urbed
when she went away Charles, am sure
that she has taken it ="
Trevor walked up and down the apart
meut wi.h hurried, angry foossteps--his
wife leaned against the mautel. patsing
her tiny satin slipper on the 6oor, and
awaiting his final decision.
II arm sorry for Ellen-very sorry" he
said at length. With fevered flush on his
bald forehead; "but that ring was worth
thousand dollars. Search the premises
thoroughly. once more-and If the trinket
is not found"
"Well?'
Il will notify the police II once. ;.
"A Mio. Mrs. Trevor! am I suspect
ed of .sealing!"
Ellen Hope had turned % white - ash
es. as she stood With clasped hands and di
lated eyes in the narrow little roou where
she dwelt. 1t wss small. but very. very
neat. With its tiny white bed and the mus
lin curtain looped away from its one case
ment.
Gentlemen. said Mrs. Tsespr. turn
ing to the police officers. proceed with
your search, and in case it 10 fruislcss, /.
let The law take its conrse. Cou,e.
She took her husbands arm aud glided
calmly from the room. needless Of the
wild BURT Of sobs that broke from the |
depths Of the young girls heart.
Sarah. | don't really think she sook !
lac bauble." said Mr. Trevor, pausing nm
easily on the stairs.
"Nonsense-wss il spirited away? Are
ron willing 10 lase ihoussnd dollars rash-
y than dctccs thief r |;