The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-03
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE FRIDAY MORNING,
In less than twenty minutes he was back
again, and came flying up the stairs as fast
as Charley Carr had aown down.

again, and came flying up the stairs as fast
as Charley Carr had Gown down.
"A pretty simpleton you made Of me Ma.
ria giving me IN empty boI'
An empty box : she echoed.
He took tho box out Of his pocket and
held it open before her.
Il told the man had brought back the
ring to exchange for the smaller one, opened
the box, all giagerly, to hand 1t to him, and
behold there was nothing in it.
Did you drop it in tho brougbam' Did
you open it in the brousham3' She rciter-
ated.
Il never touched It after you saw me put
it in my pocket, until | was in the shop.
unsealed the paper before the shopman's
hands,
Then where can 1t bc exclaimed Maria.
Lady Anncsley certainly sealed it up, and
put it, herself, in the desk. ready for you no
one went near the desk aiterwards-no one
came into the room, or was in the room, but
myself.
LADY Annesley must have sealed up an
empty box, that's clear said Sir Philip. Il
have brought tbc other ring
But Lady Annesley, when she entcred,pro
tested that she had not sealed up an empty
box-that the ring was in it. And she re-
lated to Sir Philip. US they have been given
above, the box. she said, was not out Of her
hands minute altogether.
Are you sure you put it in? that you
did not let it slip aside ? questioned Sir Phil
ip.
Sure = repeated Lady Annesley, half in.
clincd to resent the implied suggestion OF
carelessness I'll am quite sure. And had
the ring slipped aside, it would only have
gone on to the table. Iput 1t in safely, and
shut it in
who was in the room besides yourselves?' ?
asked Sir Philip.
only Charley Carr, ho was standing by
me. wishing that the ring was his
NO. cried ou. Mrs. Anncsley, inoccntly; ;
wishing its value in money was his! The
more sensible wish Of the two
A wild. sickening sensation darted to Ma
ria Carr's brain. Itwas not yet suspicion;
II was fear lest suspicion should come; nay,
forcboding that 1t was coming.
The suspicion should come: come imme-
diately, to all of them. In vain Sir Phillip
suggested that Charles must have done IL In
joke to put Lady Anncsley in fright, Tor
he was full of tricks Us monkey-that he
would bring it back with him in the evening.
That he had taken the ring from the box,
there was no doubt whatever; and Lady
Annesley in her anger, refused to be soothed.
She attacked Charles the moment hc made
his appearance.
Where is that keeper?" she sternly de-
manded, without circumlocution.
what keepcr?' returned Charles.
'Tho brilliant. keeper. that you made OIL
with, today
Il don't know what you mean, aunt
Lady Aunesley few into rage. l left
the box close to your hands when turned to
pick up tho cushion for Mrs. Anncslcy.-
How dared you to take the ring out''
Let's see whether have got it about me,
rctorted Charley in careless, indifferent,
provoking manner, as hc made show OF
feeling in all his pockets. 'Oh-l must
have left it in my regimentas.'
Lady Anncsley nearly boiled over. Words
led to words; Charles grew angry in turn
and at length she gave hint that no must
have stolen the ring. He declared that he
had not touched the box, nor the ring: that
he had turned from the table when Lady
Anneslcy did, and remained talking to Maria
while the cushion was being picked up; and
he swore to this with sundry unothodox
words, forgetting that he was not in quar-
ters, but in lady's drawins'room.
'If nobody takes bis part, will" hotly
cried Gcorgiana Livingston, after Charles
had d. ped away from tho house, promising
that ned never enter it again; and her
countenance was distressed and her cheeks
scarlet, as she said il. Steal ring You
nav Just as well accuse me. Lady Annesley,
as accuse him; should be more likely OF
the two to do IL.
DO, pray, recollcct yourself, Gcorsina'
demonstrated the lady. is this avowal seem
ly for young sirl?"
Il don't care whether 1t is seemely or un.
.eomly,' responded Miss Gcorgina, da'hing
away some tears. You ought to be asham.
ed OF yourselves all Of you Because Charles
happens not to be made Of money, you turn
against him, and think he'd take 1t. I'll
let him know that don't
Hot words hotly spoken. A few days and
even Georsina was obliged to judge him less
leniently. Sir Philip chose quietly to in
ves,icate the suspicion; and he asccrtaincd
that Charles had, the very evening subse-
ouent to the loss Of the ring, and the follow
ing day. paid sundry small debts for which
hc had long been dunned. Twenty pounds,
at least Of these payments were traced, and
then Sir Philip dropped the search. Why
pursue it' It was all too clear; for Charles
had no resources Of his own to draw upon.
But here Maria stepped in to his defense.