The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-14

forgotten. She thought of nothing, re-
membcred nothing but Davi,'s disappoint-
ment, his grave face, his downcast eyes.
! She sat, possessed by her humiliation,
funtil the next performer had left the piano
amid rapturous applause. Then, with a
lhrob of dismay, she remembered the ring.
Of course it had fallen to tho ground.
What if it should be troddcn upon
J. When the concert was ended, Edith tried
to avoid David by minglmg with the
crowd. She saw him exchanging words
with her teacher, and took the opportunity
TO dodge in and out among tho people until
the piano was reached. STOPPING she has
tily 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. The pub
fishing Of the loss would reveal her to
David.
At length she heard voice questioning
which made her heart leap-hcr brothers
voice. She sent quick startled glance to
his calm face. She said the first thing that
camc into her thought which would divert
him.
only writing desk key" she answered
but perhaps l did not bring it here" she
added, getting to her feet "I must take
leave of Mrs. Pipp,' she said. hurrying
away to tell her hostess of her loss.
81 haven't time to look for it tonight.
Twill come around early in the morning and
make a thorough search Edith said
Mrs. Pipp promised that she would her
self search for the ring after the guests had
left the house. With this assurance, Edith
was turning, with some feeling of relief, to
rcJoin her brother, when she perceived him
by her side. Her heart jumped with new
fear. How much had he heard of what
she had said2
When they were in the street, and Edith
felt Davld's warm hand get hold of hers,
and felt hers tucked away under his arm,
close to the warm heart, she was melted to
contrition.
"DGvid,' she said, with quick impct-
uosity, 81 told you story about looking
for my key. II is at home in tho lock.
was looking for something clsc."
81 knew you werc," said David but he
did not ask her what that something 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 that hadn't told David
the truth " was the thought that went
flashing through her mind
Tnc next morning, early, she left the
house to go to Mrs. Pipp's to look for the
ring. She was fastening by Mollic Bonds
dwelling without looking up, for she feared
to meet Mollic. just then she heard win
dow thrown up. She had feeling as if
she were about to be shot at.
"Ede," Mollie called; "plcasc let me
have my ring. I'm going with mamma to
lunch at Judge Hart's this morning, want
to wear it,"
81 think it nicer not to wear diamonds
at lunch" Edith said, trying to pass on.
"But want to wear it," Mollie persist
ed. "Wait, I'll come down to the gate
and get it,"
81 haven't it with me. I'll bring it
around before lunch-timc," said Edith hur-
rying away.
"Well, be sure you do," screamed Mol
lie. "1'll never lend you another"
81 just wish you wouldn't" thought
Edith, with mental pout
"Wc'vc looked all over the room for the
rng," said Pipp.
"And haven't you found u2" Edith
cried
"No, and I've had the carpet swept
twice very carefully. l 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
q solicitude piteous to scc Edith searched
the floor; felt under the piano; felt along
the edges of the carpet; looked in all
probable places, and as many improbable
ones, rs, for instance, in the moc<ing birds
cage.
At length, sick at heart, full Of fear and
dismay, she started for home, taking care
not to return to Mollic Bonds house. The
ring must have been picked up by some
one. She would advertise 1t in the evening
paper Stopping in the Gazette office, she
prepared an advertisement, carefully word
ed, 80 that reader could not know who
had lost the ring.
That evening she was crochcting while
David read the paper to ncr. She had
nerved herself to hear him read hcr advcr-
tisement, yet when he did come to it the
effect was like scaldine water to her face.
You would feel very unhappy" David
commented, "if you had borrowed ring
and lost It,"
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 ac-
complish its purpose" David said "The
fact that the person who picked up the ring
did not mention the fact to Mrs. Pipp
shows an intention to keep it,
At this Edith's heart sank within her.
About eight o'clock the door-bell rang.
Edith jumped as at musket-shot. She
felt sure 1t was Mollic who had come for
tho ring. She rushed TO the door, intent
upon preventing an interview between her
friend and David.
The visitor was Mollic. "I have come
for my ring" she said. ~ want to wear
1t to church tomorrow; am going to he
confirmed, you know"
"Come into the parlor," Edith stam-
mcred, fearing David would hear what was
said.
"No, I'll just take the ring, and will not
stop"
"Don't speak so loud" Edith implored,
In hoarsc whisper. "I haven't the ring
with me. lists at left it at Mrs.
Pipp's. Pm sorry"
"Oh, well, 1t doesn't matter, said Mol