The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-01-25
THE MISSING EARRING.

THE MISSING EAR.RtNG.
1t was certainly most unpleasant
coincidence that one of the pair Of valu-
able opal earrings, which had been
given to Miss Consols for wedding
present, was missed from its case imme-
diately after Mrs, Carnegie had bad the
case in her hand. This awkward cpl
sode occurred at an afternoon" held
at Mr.. ConSols' house at Queens Gate.
on the day previous to Miss Consols'
marriage. when the wedding 9 fits were
displayed in the drawing-rOom for the
inspection of a crowd of friends and ac-
quaintances. The earrings. which con-
sisted of two fine and beautifully tinted
opals. set with diamonds, had excited
universal admiration, and We're said to
be extrer ely valuable, if not positively
unique. Mrs. tarnegie had. like many
other people, gone into ecstasies over
them, but had passed on to inspect an
other group of costly offerings when
somebody discovered the loss A great
commotiou at once ensued. and a care
full search was made for the missing or
namentS. Every article in the vicinity
of the spot was shifted about and lifted
ND, a circle was cleareI round the table
and the floor anxiously scrutinized. and
in fact. everything was done without 4
moments delay 10 recover the earring.
All these efforts proved futile, however.
for no trace of It could be found. and II
was quite impossible to believe that.
with so many pairs of ewes on the alert,
it would have eScaped observation if il
had been lying anywhere about the
room.
Everybody present felt a trife uncom-
Portable, but Is. e.ially Mrs.s arnegie.
She was very proud and sensitive 1t
tie woman. and she was keenly con-
scious that people had remarked the
fac: that she had cen the last person to
handle the earrings. Old Mr.. Consols
had been rather particular in his inIuir
les IS 10 whether she mad replaced the
ornaments in their case. 1t was very
unpleasant 10 be singled out from 4
room full of guests 10 answer questions
of this sort. especially a. the process
drew general attention toward her. OF
cou sc. she did not for an Instant imag
inc that she was serious V suspected of
purloining the earring, but the very
TACT OF havRg per ectly clear con-
science and feeling that her honor was
above suspicion rendered her inclined to
resent even harmless and natural gue>-
tionng Her temper was slightly ruff
fled bv the ordeal and. on the opport -
nifty, went up to the hostess and
ssId goodbye. taking care, however, TO
conceal her secret veNat on
II Mrs. Carnegie could have got clear
SWAY after. this The matter would no
doubt have blown over. Though she
was cuick-tem, cred and sensitive, she
was not the kind of person 10 harbor
petty resentment. AID little calm re-
fiec.ion would have completely restored
her equanim5ty. But, rs iil-luck would
have II. she came face TO face with old
MIR COnsol- in the tall below. Now.
Mr. Conso!s was one of the most kind
hearted old gentlemen in tie world. but
he was rather vulgar and hid blunt
way Of expressing himself. which often
gave offen>e when none was intended.
He was evidently very much put out at
the loss OF the earring, and. on per civ
ing Mrs. Carnegie. he at once advanced
TO speaG to her.
- m regularly mystitied about that
earring. Mrs arnegie, he said rath-
er abruptly. livery one have spoken
10 says you had it last in your hands. "
That is quite posi- L." returned
Mrs. Carnegie, turning pale with sup
pressed ang,r Il am not responsible
fo- II dlSap nevertheless"
You a-r sure YOU returned Il 10 the
case?" suggested old Mr.. Consols, VITA
rather unnecessary persist nee
s.Really. NJ. Consols | can not sub
NIT to further cross -exam nation" ex-
claimed little Mrs Carnegie drawing
herself up. Il have answered your
question over and over again
.'W here the deuce can the earring
have got to. them mut.ered the old
gentleman, sulkiiy.
The probability is that old Mr.. Con-
soils gave Utteranee to this rejection
from sheer perplexity, and without the
slighiesf intention of woundiEg his
guests feelings. But Mrs Carnegie
chose TO take the remark as conveying
q delibe aie aspersion upon her integ-
ritv, and certainly Mr.. Copsois' tone
and manner manifested lamentable
waRt of tact Her temper Immediately
iared up, and but for the opportune
arrival O. some other guests. she would
probably have answered her host in
manner that would have astonished
him As it was. she took her depar-
tuTe without another word; but her rage
and Indignation were so great that on
reaching home she could not refrain
from contding her wrongs to her hus-
band
Dr.. Carnegie was furious at the reci-
tai He was one of those men who al
ways seem Their glad o an excuse t.
quarrel with Their neighbors- He
ESP used his wife cause warmly, and
decls Ell That be would m Ike bir, Con-
sols a 20 o, re for his behavior. Know