The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-10-01

Mr.. Roscoe Bellair walked leisurely
along after him-a handsome graye-faced
gentleman of thirty five, with tawny hair
and moustache, and eyes that were as
outlooking, 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 So
cial position, his personal attractions, his
immense wealth-just such man as Mr..
Symington delighted to honor
Mr.. Bellair took aeseat beside the cas-
kets of glittering stones, and ran them
over with the eye of a connoisseur.
81 want solitaire, Symington-some-
thing A No. with crown setting.
For a lady,
Mr.. Symington smiled very knowingly.
''All right. If you can't suit yourself
here, you won't this side of the Atlantic.
I've a specially choice lot of unset soli-
taires, Mr.. Bellair, that am reserving
for just such orders, particularly suited
for lady's rings-engagement rings, and
the like. just let me show them to you. %
He trotted off to the safe few yards
away, and Mr.. Bellair tried on ring after
ring, then leaned back in his chair, and
took leisurely look around him, to see
at the next show case, the very lovliest
girl he had ever seen in his life, showing
silver thimbles to shy half-grown miss.
Then Symington came, bustling back,
red in the face, but beaming all over.
"Here they are, Mr.. Bellair- perfect
beauties, that will make lady's eyes
shine to look at. What do you think of
that, sir?'
Mr.. Bellair thought enough to select a
magnificent stone, and the style of set
ting.
.sAnd what size?" Mr.. Symington want
ed to know, suavely.
Bellair laughed.
"Upon my word L don't know how
we'll manage it. The ring is to be sur
prise. I think the young lady over yon-
der was about the same size as the lady
who will wear the ring"
He indicated Edith, still showing the
silver thimbles.
sVery goodr' Mr.. Symington said.
s'Bunn, relieve Miss Santwood. Miss
Santwood this way moment just let
me see your hand-hold it up"
And almost before Edith knew what
she was wanted for, she found herself in
side the little sacred place of diamonds,
with Roscoe Bellair's handsome blue
ewes looking at her fair face, and Mr..
Symington fitting ring on her tapering
forefnger.
- suppose that's the finger, SIR he
said knowingly.
Bellair laughed.
$50 ahead, Symington; I hope you
won't be far out of the way. Yes, that's
perfect fit, and very handsome, y he
said, as, in his courteous, grave way, he
looked at the fair, aristocratic hand
with its slender fingers. pink nails, and
dimpled wrist.
ssThat will do" Mr.. Symington said,
as he removed the costly ring from
Edith's hand, ssyou may go back.
As she passed with her eyes bent down
Mr.. Belaire spoke to her, in q tone that
made her lift them suddenly, flashing all
their glory full upon him.
''Allow me to thank you very much. "
A faint, gratifed little fush-a little
smile, that Just suggested the white teeth
and the bewitching dimple-then she
passed out, and back to the silver thimble
buyer, with a strange futtering of the
heart that she had never experienced be-
fore, and an impression left upon her Of
the handsomest face, the kindlies eye she
ever had seen in her quiet homely life
a sensation and an impression that were
strongly upon her, when, as she stood
putting on her gloves as she was about
to go home in the evening". Mr.. Syming-
ton stepped up to her, with curious
look on his face, that sent her vaguely
delicious sensations instantly adrift.
'' Where is the cluster diamond ring
you stole from the tray while you were
in my department. to-day"
She looked at him as if she considered
him suddenly bereft of his senses.
'sThe ring I Istole-Ifrom you?"
:sJust so. If you'll hand it over I'll
say nothing about it, only you needn't
come back tomorrow. Your best policy
is to admit the theft and give it up"
The color began to wane in her face
until she was ghastly pale.
'tMr. Symington, you don't mean that
you think stole diamond ring?"
Her voice was indescribably horror
stricken and pathetic.
ST certainly mean exactly that. And 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
I will have you searched
She drew herself up haughtily at that.
Sir, you insult me! Iliave not taken
your diamond ring. Youe accusation is
as cruel as it is unfounded.
Her dark eyes flashed with proud con-
ciousness of right, but her lovely face
was awfully pale, and her lips quivered
with womanly shame and pain-
Mr.. Symington sneered. "a
"Oh, well, if you're going into hyster-
les, go ahead Thorn, telegraph for a
policeman and q woman from the station.
Well search the young thief
A cry came from Edith's lips at the
horrible, horrible word.
"Oh, don't say such thing of me-of
mel Why must be dreaming! 1t must
be some awful nightmare am sufferingl
They 1Accuse meme, mothers little
Edith-of stealing diamond ring?"
And just as she fell in a merciful
swoon on the Office floor, Mr.. Bellaire
came walking through thesstore into the
private office.
an attack of absence of mind! actually
what's the matter?"
For as he walked into the room, talk
ing, and langhingly removing a mag
nificent clustering from his fnger-the
ring for which Edith Santwood lay white
and aeathless like, perfect statue of
ivory-he saw her on the sofa, where Mr..
~ had laid her.
sort of paleness spread over
kpton's forid face, and he
iRtelligible exclamation
grectly translated.
ID don't tell me you
rried back with the
sly carried off, but