, 1881-12-30


ones. I was just about 10 replace the
hat when a voice said over my shoulder:
Il saw Won from the door, and after
a Dice, comfortable chat as We had in the
cars, l thought l would not go off with
out saying good-bye:
There she was again-that woman.
"Ah, we'll, good.byer" said l, and
then turned to put on my earrings.
They were gone!
Suddenly it rushed into my mind that
this woman was thief; that the purpose
OF her sociabllitv had been only TO rob
me.
My earrings! My earrings cried
out, sharply. Where are my earrings
my diamohds!'
The woman stared at me with sud
den flush of anger in her face.
Il am sure l don't know, she replied,
coldly.
"Some one does! They have been
stolen! 1 had them moment ago" |
said.
Most likely that's the thief. them"
she said, and turning, | saw for the first
time a little girl, dirty. Unkempt and
ragged, crouched up in the corner OF the
dressing room, apparently asleep. AS
L
diamonds" continued the woman, red
der than before. I'D not have spoken
to you-no, 1 wouldn't-if l hadn't
thought you was lady, which you ain t.
There, now, to hint at such u thing! Me
a thief, indeed"
Whats the row?' asked big police
man, sauntering in at the door.
1T is only that I've lost my earrings" :"
said diamonds worth great deal.
1 put them in my hat just now. l accuse
nobody"
Its that girl there shamn ing sleep"
said the woman.
But the match-g girl was awake and on
her feet. She tried to glide past the
policeman, but he caught her by the arm.
DO you make charger" said he.
'Only these two people have been in
the room, as far as I know" L said. Il
think the child never moved. This
this lady was close behind me when l
missed them"
Its that girl" said the woman ,tremb-
ling violently.
'Confederates, probably said the
policeman.
Me confederates with ragged match
girl p sobbed the woman.
You'd better make charge against
BOTH" said the man.
4 little crowd began to gather; the
match girl shrieked, the woman wept.
Happily IN the midst of the tumult l saw
two well-known faces, DOra's and my
uncle's.k
I'VE Game to meet you, said my uncle.
Your mother telegraphed that you had
started But what's the matter 2"
81 explained:
1.-The earrings Aunt Margaret left me
are gone; but II don't feel sure this
ladv-I don't know what to do
make charge" said the policeman.
II think it's this woman, or both of
them"
Cant I have justice?" sobbed the
woman.
IT ant stole nothin'!' shrieked the
child.
mo you have not, poor thing said
Dora, suddenly. "Look here, Maggie"
1t was the fashion in that year of the
Lord to trim ones travelling dresses
plentifully with a sort of ball fringe, all
little fluffy bobs. The mantle of mine
had many yards upon it; and as Dora
spoke she drew the mantle around ana
revealed to me the fact that that the ear
rings hung suspended to this fringe.
AS the woman spoke had turned and
the fringe had dipped into my hat and
hirted out again with my diamonds.
stood abashed and quite conscious of
my guilt 1 bore food of abuse from
the woman, the calm reproaches of the
policeman, and the grins of the crowd.
The match girl-not stranger to this
sort of thing-went away appeased and
happy with gift of dollar. The in
jured woman was finally quieted by my
uncle, who at last escorted her to her
destination in cab, and 1 went home
with Dora. l was overcome with morti-
fication, but think my strongest feeling
was the dread that Amt Sophy should
ever know that my diamonds had got me
into trouble after all.