New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-10-19

~
Piodding on in isolation; and again in vain
B For thy solaoe, Katie sweet, Of long ago.
FALSELY ACCUSED.
She is beautiful" unused Mr.. Hether-
ington. as he approached the residence
Of the lady who occupied his thoughts
--''beautiful and good I should fancy.
The manner In which she spoke of her
companion-an old school fellow, who
has experienced reverse of fortune,
and to whom she has given q peaceful
home-was generous and womanly and
kind. The girl is lovely enough to
have excited jealous fears in the breast
of less noble won an-I myself was
conscious of strange fascinated inter-
est in her on that one occasion when
we met, and would gladly have met
her again, and known her better. II
Miss Isabel favors me, as she has given
me cause to believe. the decision was
lucky for her; for her pale sweet COM
panion might have rivalled her, in my
estimation at least. believe should
have proposed to Isabel before this, had
not seen that fair girl. And what
folly that would have been after ala
poor pretty nobody, with q poverty
stricken family, of whom Knight have
felt ashamed. Isabel says that, for all
her beauty and grace, the girl is Of low
extraction."
He was at the door Of Miss Spencer's
residence, as his soliloquy came to an
end, and found the household in strange
excitement and disorder-there had
been q robbery, the servant who adj
mitted him informed him. Miss Spen-
Ger had lost a valuable diamond ring,
and accused her companion, Miss An
ME Gray, Of having stolen it.
The news gave Hetherington shock.
Horror, incredulity, indignation pos
sessed him.
'sThe accusation is monstrous! Alb.
surdr' he cried. and pushing the ser:
want aside, made his way unannounced
to the drawing-room.
The two ladies accuser and accused
were there alone, but the door stand
ing open, neither of them noticed his
intrusion. He paused for moment
on the threshold to take ia the scene.
Isabel Spencer was flushed and an
cry, but with an uneasy and anxious
air peeping through all her defiance
that struck the observer strangely.
Annie Gray, on the contrary, though
deathly pale, was self-possessed and
calm, with 80 high and pure an express
sion Of innocence and dignity about
her, that q casual observer would GER
tainly have reversed their places, and
imagined her to be the accuser and Is
abel the accused.
II do not desire to charge you," lsa-
bel was saying, with doubtful and
furtive glance. II would gladly spare
you that for old times sake; but the
ring was on my toilet-table last night,
and it has disappeared. No one but
yourself could have taken it. You I'M
dressed me after l returned from the
ball; you were the last in my room;
| your mother is poor. and with your lit.
tie brothers almost dependent upon you,
the temptation was doubtless very
great. Only confess to me in the pres
ence of q witness that you took tho
ring, and will not even demand its
restoration, but will forgive you, and
let you 60 unpunished; but you must
confess, or must have you arrested"
II do not believe that you dare, an-
swered the other contemptuously.
''You know that you accuse me falsely,
and for your own purposes. Harold
Hetherington has not proposed, as you
hoped, and you blame his strange inter-
est in me for it. You think to disgrace
me in his esteem, and thus secure to
yourself wealthy husband before your
fathers failure in business is published
to the world. You see, ! understand
you. It is true that the ring has dis
appeared; but you know, as we'll as
heaven knows, that as much lady
as yourself, know nothing of it. You
do not believe the story of my low ex-
traction which heard you tell to Har-
old. You know that I am Annie Gray
Linton, whose father, Judge Linton,
was lis fathers dear friend. You know
that his interest in me comes from some
half-forgotten memory of old days.
when he and I, as children, played to-
gether and loved each other we'll. Ar
rest me if you darev' Her figure rose
erect and her eyes flashed. It is to
him that will turn for help and JUS
tice and you shall defeat your own
| ends! Because, months ago, when poor
mamma was sick and almost starving,
you gave us help, and to me employ
ment, was so grateful that consent
ed to avoid the dear old friend who
loved US all, lest, as you feared, j should
prove your rival in his regard, and l
believed that you loved him. But you
have forfeited all claims upon me now.
II is 1. not you, who will dictate terms,
Miss Spencer. You have cast vile
aspersion on my character before your
household. You must call them to-
gether and publicly declare that you
were wrong. II you refuse, myself
will send for Harold Hethering ton--ay
even to my prison, if you dare to send
me there and from my own lips he
shall learn air.
HE is informed already" said Har-
old, coming quickly and quietly into
the room, and taking Annie's hands in
his own. my dear little playfellow,
have / found your Now I know why
glance. was SO familiar, dear! Child,
have sought for you ever since my re-
turn. having heard Of your fathers en-
barrassment and death, and hoping to
be Of some service thank heaven, ]
find you at last! Little sweetheart, you
were my promised wife at six years old
that's now twelve years ago-You
see I don't forget our engagement,
dear! VIII you fulfil it. Anniep''
| She gazed at him with grateful smiles
and tears.
'.You jest" she said, .'but II, some
! day You ask the question serioudy,
j will answer you. For the present you
do not believe I took the ringp'' sl.e.&
| he answered BY . reproachful look.