The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-05-03

ing which made her heart ieap,-ner
brothers voice. She sent quick,
startled 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 / didn't bring it here, F"
she added, getting to her feet. must
go and take leave of Mrs. Pipp," she
added, hurrying away to tell the hostess
of her loss.
al haven't time to look for it tonight.
| will come around early in the morn
ing, and make good search" Edith
said.
Mrs. Pipp promised that she would
herself search for the ring after the guests
had left the house. With-this assurance,
Edith was turning, with some feeling
OF relief, to rejoin her brother, when she
perceived him by her side. Her heart
jumped with new fear. How much
had he heard of what she had said?
When they we're in the street, and
Edith felt David's warm hand get hold
of hers, and felt hers tucked away un'
der his arm, close to the true heart, she
was melted to contrition.
David" she said, with quick i'm
petuosity, al told you a story about
looking for my key. It's at home in
the lock. | was looking for something
else."
az know you were," said David
but he did not ask her what the some
thing was.
When they reached home, they went
to the sitting room. Edith turned up
the low burning lamp. There in the
full blaze was her desk, and in the lock
was the key.
Just suppose hadn't told David the
truth p was the thought that went fash
ing through her mind. ..@. @=Ef
The next morning. early, she left the
house to go to Mrs. Pipp's to look for
the ring. She was fastening by Mollie
Bonds dwelling without looking up, for
she feared to meet Mollie. Just then
she heard a window thrown up. She
had feeling as if she were about to be
shot at.
eide" Mollie called, please let me
have my ring, Pm going with mamma
to lunch at Judge Harris, this morning.
want to wear it,
think it's nicer not TO wear dia-
monds at lunch" Edith said, trying to
pass on.
" But | wart to wear it," Mollie per-
sisted Wait, I'll come down to the
gate and get it"
"I haven't it with me. I'll bring it
around before lunch time" said Edith,
hurrying away.
Well, be sure you do" screamed
Mollie, cor I'll never lend you an
other." l
just wish you wouldn't" thought
Edith, with a mental pout. i.4
" We've looked all over the room for
the ring" said Mrs. Pipp.
" And haven't you found it?p Edith
cried.
No, and Pve had the parlor 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, and over, down on her
knees, with a solicitude piteous to see,
Edith searched the floor; felt under the
piano; moved the furniture; moved the
piano; felt along The edges of the
carpet; looked in all probable places,
and as many improbable ones, as, for in
stance, in the hooking birds cage.
At length, sick at heart, full of fear
and dismay, she started for home, tax
ing care not to return by Mollie Bond s
house. The ring must have been picked
up by some one. She would advertise
it in the evening paper. Stopping at the
Gazette office, she prepared an advertise
ment, carefully worded, so that reader
could not know who had lost the ring.
That evening she was crocheting while
David read the paper aloud to her 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"
David commented, eff you had Dor
rowed ring and lost it."
eyes," 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 speak of it to Mrs.
Pipp's showed an intention to keep it"
At this Edith's heart sank within
her.
About eight o'clock the doorbell rang.
Edith jumped as at musket-shot. She
felt sure it was Mollie who had come for
the ring. She rushed to the door, intent
upon preventing an interview between
her friend and David.
The visitor was Mollie. 81 have come
for my ring" she said az want to wear
1t to church tomorrow I'm going to be
confirmed, you know"
Come into the parlor," Edith STAN
mered, fearing David would hear what
was said.
" No, I'll just take the ring, and will
moi stop"
Don't speak so loud" Edith i'm
plored, in hoarse whisper. al haven't
the ring with me. LISTS at left it
at Mrs. Pipp's. Pm sorry"
"Oh well, it doesn't matterl" said
Mollie. "Pll run around to Mrs.
Pipp's and get it. | don't mind, the
walk at all"
She turned and was almost gone before
Edith could arrest her. fais
Wait moment" Edith said 81
didn't finish telling. Ill dropped
the ring On the floor, concert night, and
couldn't find it; but"
Why, Edith p
{" But I've advertise it and NAV.
be"
"That ring cost hundred dollars!'
" What if ! should have to replace
it?" Edith thought in terror. 1--WE
never could spare hundred dollars