The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-01-05

nice, comfortable chat as we had in the
cars, I thought I would not go off with
out saying goodbye:
There she was again-that woman.
"Ah, we'll, good bye" said l, and
then turned to put on my earrings.
They were gonel
Suddenly it rushed into my mind that
this woman was a thief; that the purpose
of her sociability had been only to rob
me.
"My earrings! My earrings l cried
out, sharply "Where are my earrings
my diamonds!"
The woman stared at me with a sud
den flush of anger in her face.
II am sure / don't know" she replied,
coldly.
Some one does! They have been
stolen! 1 had them a moment ago" 1
said.
"Most likely that's the thief, then, "
she said, and turning, saw for the first
time little girl, dirty. unkempt and
ragged, crouched up in the corner OF the
dressing room, apparently asleep. las
if I'd take your trumpery, dollar-store
diamonds!" continued the woman, red
der than before. ED not have spoken
to you-no, 1 wouldn't-if hadn't
thought you was lady, which you amt.
There, now, to hint at such thing! Me
a thief, indeed"
whats the row?" asked big police.
man, sauntering in at the door.
''It is only that I've lost my earrings"
said diamonds worth a great deal.
l put them in my hat just now. / accuse
nobody"
"It's that girl there shamming Sleep"
said the woman.
But the match-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" said. Il
think the child never moved. This
this lady was close behind me when
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 q charge against
both," said the man.
A little crowd began to gather; the
match girl shrieked, the woman wept.
Happily IN the midst of the tumult saw
two well-known faces, Dora's and my
uncle's.
1--WE came to meet you, said my uncle
"Your mother telegraphed that you had
started But what's the matter ?"
II explained
"The earrings Aunt Margaret left me
are gone; but II don't feel sure this
lady-I DOM know what to do"
MAKE charge" said the policeman.
II think it's this woman, or both of
them"
Cant 1 have justice?" sobbed the
IT ant stole nothin'!" shrieked the
child.
"No 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
plen,ifully with sort of ball fringe, all
little fluffy bobs. The mantle of mine
had many yards upon it, and as Dora
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
flirted out again with my diamonds.
stood abashed and quite conscious of
my guilt. bore food of abuse from
the woman, the calm reproaches of the
policeman, and the grins of the crowd.
The match girl-not q 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 went home
with Dora. was overcome with morti-
fication, but think my strongest feeling
was the dread that Aunt Sophy should
ever know that my diamonds had got me
into trouble after all.