The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-08


BERT engraved on The inside"
1t certainly was q correct description
and the name-there might be two Clar;
Websters, though.
"Let me see your left hand. DEAR"
She pulled off her glove, and there was
the ring.
"Let me see that ring with the diamond
on it."
"Uncle, what does this mean ? is any
thing wrong at home 2"
"Ill tell you presently, dear, give mt
the ring"
She took it off and gave it to me, and
read "From Herbert" on the inside.
"Why, that's the ring that Mr.. Langly
gave you"
"Wha has he to do with this ?" said
Mrs. Webster. perhaps he
"He what, madam ?"
"Perhaps it did not belong to him, l was
going to say"
| saw it was no use to struggle, when
the officer came down he would explain the
mistake.
"Where can we wait ?" / said.
swat, Uncle Joseph, what for 2"
"Madam, this telegram orders the arrest
of your daughter, and her detention here
till the arrival of an officer from Lon
don."
"But what for 2"
81 cannot tell you; it is useless to COM
plain now, we must wait"
81 shall do nothing of the kind /; | shall
at once go and get my brother and Mr..
Tredgar and come down."
spray don't madam, there's no occasion
to make more noise about this matter than
can be helped"
81 shall remain with Clara; you had
better go on and say we are coming very
shortly"
"Your instructions don't include this
lady or myself?" l asked.
mot at all, sir; you are both free to 60
at any time, but the young lady must
stay"
"Where P"
swell, sir, I'm sure there's some mis-
take, and was so from the moment l saw
the young lady, so if you'll give me your
word not to go away, I'll take you into
my house out of the hustle of the station"
Mrs. Webster went off, and Clara and |
went out to the house.
"What can it be, Uncle 2"
Cant say, my dear it will be some
thing to laugh at by.and-by, though it's not
pleasant now"
"But about the ring? Do you think il
possible, that what mamma sald?"
POSSIBLE, my dear, it's ridiculous. It's
a hundred years old, and l dare say it be-
longed to his mother before he gave it to
you."
81 can't think what it can be-"
ktno,t% kb,,I, cLo,k "a ~ s1-
that's all 1t will all be cleared up in a few
hours. Wen have some dinner, and pass
the time as well as we can"
do you know, Uncle, I feel almost
glad of this; it seems like q break in the
dullness; it puts off my wedding at least a
week; mamma herself could not press it
for tomorrow after this"
We had dined and got to be quite cheer
full and were laughing over the blunder as
we sat at the window, when a rap at the
door startled us both.
"Come in"
A gentleman entered.
Miss Webster ?"
Clara bowed.
Miss Clara Webster ?" he said, reading
the name from a letter.
Clara bowed again.
He handed her the letter, which she
opened, read. and dropped IN the floor,
exclaiming, ''Thank God !! thank God !
0, Uncle, | Am so happy" and then fell
into a chair fainting.
l picked up the letter, and calling the
people of the house, very soon brought her
to, and we were once more alone with the
bearer of the note, which ran as follows |:
"TREDGAR HALL.
"Mr. Francis Tredgar presents his COM
pliments to Miss Webster, and begs to
state he must decline the fultillment Of his
promise to make her his wife. The un-
happy circumstance of Miss Webster's
public arrest, on the charge Of beiLg in
possession of a diamond ring stolen by her
former lover, will at once account to her
for this decision. Mr.. Tredgar's wife must
be above suspicion.
Mr.. Tredgar begs also to inform Miss
Webster that the services of his solicitor,
Mr.. Blake tthe bearer are at her dis
Well, Mr.. Blake" said /, "you see
we shall not require your services ; I shall
wait the event, and, if it is not cleared up,
shall employ my own solicitor in the mat.
ter. Will you present my kind regards to
Mr.. Francis Tredgar, and express my own
and my niece's admiration of his gentle
manly courtesy and kindness? l would
write to him if | did not consider that a
correspondence with such a miserable,
cowardly scoundrel was too utterly degrad-
ing to be thought Oft"
| shall faithfully convey your message,
sir, and allow me to assure you that | was
quite ignorant of the contents of the letter,
and that it shall be the last time l ever bear
n from him ; and now, as you will not
let me help you as his solicitor, allow me
to proffer my services as a friend"
with all my heart, Mr.. Blake, come
in here a few minutes before the train comes
in and we shall be glad of your help"
"Was | not right, Uncle dear ?" said
Clara, as soon as we were alone. "Oh! you
can't tell how happy l am l can live now.
0, this glorious mistake! It's the most
fortunate thing that has happened to me in
all my life. Now, you are glad, Uncle,
aren't you ?" and she came up to me,
with all hopes torches lit in both her eyes,
and kissed me, and would have me speak.
"Yes, darling, l am glad-more glad
than ! can find words to tell. Your fate
linked to such a man as this scoundrel
would have been living death. I am heart
lily glad, Clara"
49, ,pt,