Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-05-16

tried to AVOID DAVID py mlDSllns With
the crowd. She saw him exchanging
words with her teacher, az 4 took the OPP
portunity to dodge IN anu out smong
the people until the piano was reached.
STOPPING, she hastily passed her hand
over the carpet, under the piano, once,
twice, three times. One and another
person asked what she was searching
for.
"Oh, something" said Edith. Toe
publishing Of the loss would reveal her
TO David.
At length she heard voice question
ing which made her heart leap--her
, brothers voice. She sent a quick. staff
led glance to his calm face. She said
the first thing that came into her thought
which would divert him.
"My writing desk key" she answered.
but perhaps l did not bring it here
she added, getting to her feet 81 must
take leave OF Mrs. Pipp," she said, hur-
rying away to tell her hostess of her
loss.
II haven't time to look for it tonight.
will come around early in the morn
ing and make thorough scerch, Edith
said.
Mrs. Pipp promised that she would
herself search for the ring after the
! guests had left the house. With this as
Surance, Edith was turning, with some
feeling Of relief, 70 rejoin her brother,
when she perceived him by her side.
Her heart jumped with a new fear. How
much had he heard of what she had
said?
When they were in tine street, and
Edith felt David's warm hand get hold
of hers, and felt hers tucked away TN
der his arm, close 10 the warm heart,
she was melted to contrition.
David" she said, with quick impet-
uosity, II told you story about look
ing for my key. 1t is at home in the
lock. l was looking for something
else"
II knew you We're" said David; but
he did not ask her what that something
was.
When they reached home, they went
to the sittipg-rcom. Edith turned up
the low-burning lamp. There, in the
| tull blaze, was her desk, and i'll the lock
was the key.
Just suppose that hadn't told Da-
vid the truth" was the thought that
went flashing through her mind.
The next morning, early, she left the
house to 20 to NJ $. Pipp's to look for
the ring. She was Fastening by Molie
Bonds dwelling without looking up, for
she feared to meet Molle Just then
she heard a window thrown up. She
| Cn ~ ,l,. nh ny h.S
shot at.
eide" Mollie called; "please let me
have my ring. I'm going with mamma
to lunch at Judge Harris this morning,
| want TO wear it.
81 think it nicer not to wear dia-
monds at lunch" Edith said, trying to
pass on.
"But want to wear it," Mollie per.
sisted. "Wait, I'll come down to the
gate and get it,"
81 haven't ii with me. I'll bring it
around before lunch-time," said Edith,
hurrying away.
"Well, be sure you do" screamed
Mollie. "Ill never lend You another
~ just wish you wouldn't" thought
Edith, with a mental pout.
We've looked all over the room for
the ring" said Pipp.
"And haven't you found it?' Edith
cried.
"No, and I've had the carpet swept
twice very carefully. | think the ring
must have been picked up"
Let me look; know just where it
must have fallen"
Over, and over, down on her knees,
with solicitude piteous to see, Edith
searched the floor; felt under the piano;
felt along the edges of the carpet; look
ed in all probable places, and rs many
improbable ones, as, for instance, III the
mocking-bird's cage.
At length, sick at heart, full of fear
and dismay, she started for home, tax
ing care not to return to Molle Bonds
house. The ring must have been pick
ed up by some one. She would aver
tise it in the evening paper. Stopping
III the Gazette office, she prepared All
advertisement, carefully worded, SO that
q reader could not know who had lost
the ring.
That evening she was crocheting
while David read the paper to heI. She
had nerved herself to hear him read
her advertisement, yet when he did
come TO it the effect was like scalding
water to her face.
"You would feel very unhappy" Da.
vid commented, IF you had borrowed
a ring and lost il"
Yes" she said, hardly able to steady
her voice, and turning quickly to hide
the tears that would come to her eyes.
"But this advertisement will hardly
accomplish its purpose David said.
The fact that the person who picked
up the ring did not mention the fact to
Mrs. Pipp shows al intention to keep
it,"
At this Edith's heart sank within her.
About eight o'clock the door-bell
rang. Edith jumped as at a musket.
shot. She felt sure it was Molle who
had come for the ring. She rushed to
the door, intent upon preventing an in
terview between her friend and David.
The visitor was Molie. II have
come for my ring" she said. i want
TO wear it 10 church tomorrow; ! am
going to be confirmed, you know"