The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-10-15

rings.
Mr.. Roscoe BeIlair walked IeisurelyI
along after him-a handsome grave-faced
gentleman ot thirty-ffve. with tawny hair
and mouStache. and eyes thar were as out
looking. and honest. and Whole hearted as
a child'S-a gentleman whom society had
acknowledged one of its choicest favorites.
by royal right of his high social position.
his personal attractions. his immense
wealth-jrist such man as Mr.. Symng-
ton delighted 10 honor
Mr.. Beliair took seat beside the caskets
OF glittering stones. anil ran them over
with the eye nf connoisenr.
II want a solitaire. SyIlingion-something
A No. with a crown setting Fer
lafly." +.
Mr.. svmingffon smiled very knowingly
''All right. IL you cant sn;t Yourself
here. yOu won't this si,ie of the Atlantic
I've specially choice lot ofunset soiitaires
Mr. Bellair. that arm reServug tor Just
such orders. particularly suited tor ladies'
ring'-engagement rings. and the like
Just let me show them to you."
He trotted off to the safe Il few yards
| away. and Mr.. Bellair tried OH ring after
| ring. then leaned back in his chair. anc
took a leisureiy look around him. to see
at the nest showcase. the very loveiiest
girl he had ever seen IN his life. showing
silver thInbles to a shy hait-grown miss
Then Symington came. hustling back,
red in the face, but heaming all over
Here they are, Mr.. Bellair-per:ect
beauties. that will make lady's eyes
shine to look at. What do you think of
that. sir -
Mr.. Bellair thought enough to select
magnificent stone, and the style of sett-
ing.
"And what size 9'' Mr. Symington
| wanted to know. smvely.
Bellair laughed
Upon my word don't know how We'll
manage it. The ring Is to be surprise.
| think tie young lady over yonder wears
about the same size as the lady who will
wear the ring.
He indicated Edith. still showing the
silver thimbles.
Very good - Mr.. Symington said,
''Bunn. relieve Miss Santwood Miss
Santwood this way n moment. just let
me your haId-holl It np.''
and almost before Edith knew what she
was wanted for. she found herself inside
the little sacred place. of diamonds, with
Roscoe BcIlaiI's handsome blue ewes look
ing at her fair face. and Mr.. Symington
fitting ring her taperfng forefinger
II suppose that's the fiuger, SIR he
said kno'singIy.
Beiiair laughed.
Go ahead. Syn.ineton hope YOU
won't he far out OF The way. Yes, that's
perfect fit, and very Imnd>ome," he
saii. as. in his courteous. grave way. he
lOoke,l at the fair. aristncrattc hand with
its sleudrr fingers, pink uail>, and ditnI,l-
ell wri<r.
''Fhat will do Mr. Symington said. as
he removed 'he costly ring from Ed.:h's
hand. ''yoH may go back
As she passed with her eyes bent down
Mr.. Beliair spoke To If~r. in a tone that
made her lift them suddenly. flashing all
their glory full upon him.
''Alinw tn thank you very much.''
faint, gratificd little fu~i-a little
smile. that just suggested the white teetI,
and the bewitrhing dinpie-tllen she
passed out. and back to tile silver ;himble
buyer. with Strange fntteriug of the
heart that she had never exue -ience(I be-
fore. aud an impression lcf: upon her of
the llanflsorneSt face. the kintIieSt eve she
ever had se:-n in her quiet home Iif.-a
sensation and impression that were
strongly upon her, when. as she stood
pntiilg na her gloves "a she was about to
go home in the evening Mr. Sytniuyton
his face, ii@t sent her vaguely delicious
seusations INSTANTLY adriit.
Where il tit. cluster tiilmond ring von
Siole from the tray while you were in my
department to-day.''
She looked at him as if she considered
him suddenly beFeft OF his senses.
"The ring stole-I-froD you ?"
''.Tust so. IL yom'n hand it over I'll saw
nothing abont it. only ynn needn't come
back Tomorrow Yosr hest policy is to
admit the THEFT and give ii up''
The color began to wane in her face
until she was CHASTITY pale.
MIR. Symington. you don't mean that
stole diamond ring ?''
Her voice was inde<cFibably horror
stricken and pathetic.
II certainly mean exactly that. AMI I
don't propose to waste many more words
about it. just step inside the private
office. and unless you at once give it up
will have you searched
She drew herself up haughtily at that.
'.Sir. yon insBlt me / have not taken
your diamond ring. Your accusation is
as cruel as it is unfounded.''
Her dark eyes flashed with proud com
scionsness OF right. but her lovely face was
awfnlIy pale. and her lips qulyered with
womanly shame aid pain.
sTr. symington sneered.
..Oh. well, ii yon're going into mysteries.
go ahead ! Thorn, telegraph for police
man and woman from the station. Wen
search the young tbief''