The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-27

The clocks had struck noon not long be-
fore. / had been on foot for hours, and
was afraid that [ should faint from weak
ness if I did not rest [ determined to go
to HYDE Park and sit down on one Of the
benches.
Brilliant equipages dashed past me, rich
" dressed ladies met me; the shops display
ed their costly treasures, and amid the rush
and swirl of life walked on
was passing Swan & Edgar's, when I
stepped aside to avoid lady and gentle
man who had just descended the steps, and
were fastening toward their carriage.
| dropped little hand bag which con-
tained the crust which [ had saved from
my meagre breakfast / stopped to pick
it up, and as | did so [ saw something
bright and shining lying on the pavement
In another instant it was in my hand,
and | hurrying around the corner of a
street.
What | had picked up was diamond
ring, set in quaint, old-fashioned manner,
and was familiar enough with jewels to
be certain that it contained real stones,
worth several pounds.
I might try to make excuse that I went
temporarily mad, but I will mot. One idea
seized me-took such entire possession of
my faculties that there was no room in my
mind for any other thought; it was-that
relief from the terrible strait in which I
was placed was in my possession.
need not fear being forced to spend the
night in the streets at the risk of arrest as
a vagrant, and [ could procure food.
Oh, Heavens what wild craving for
food seized me as soon as realized the fact.
I opened my satchel, dropped the ring into
it, snatched the crust / had been saving
and devoured it, regardless whether any
passer-by noticed me or not.
Shelter, food could have both
was near the goal had started in
search of before any reflection beyond this
struck my absorbed senses. Suddenly
something in my soul called out to know
what was doing, and stopped short, with
a horrible feeling of guilt, then turned and
fed down Regent street and along Picca-
dilly, fairly expecting to hear the crowd
proclaim me thief | was close to the
Park before / could summon resolution to
pause.
There l stopped and argued the case with
my soul, or, more correctly, [ went over the
arguments which some power, extraneous
to my own personality, seemed offering with
lightning like rapidity, determined to steady
my will against the doubt which had
struck it.
Advertise the ring, so that its owner
might claim it. | had no money to pay for
the advertisement. Wait till the loser pro-
claimed reward for its return. [ should
not be able to see newspaper.
I might starve with the ring in my grasp;
I might lose it; there was no dread too wild
to torment me.
In another moment my course was clear.
I fastened upon the clue and did not falter.
| would pawn the ring for ten pounds, pay
nay landlady, advertise for the owner, tell
what had done, and what drove me TO it.
On [ few. It was not long before |
found my way to pawnbroker's shop. A
man appeared as | entered. His back was
toward the light so that | could not see his
face said as composedly as [ could
speak:
81 want ten pounds on this ring have
been here before; you have my name and
address, Helen Forbes, Dean street
Then I stopped short; for moment l
could not recall the number of the house in
which I had lived for months,
aWhat name did you say ? he asked, and
my dizzy terror made his voice ring harsh
and inquisitorial in my startled ear.
I sank mechanically into chair, gasping
for breath. | repeated what [ had said,
and now the number of the house passed
my lips before I was conscious that it had
reached my recollection.
Did he stare strangely at the ring and
then at me, or was it my fancy l could
not decide; and in another moment, with
some half uttered words about examining
the trinket, he went out and left me alone.
1t seemed to me that he had been gone a
long time | remember trying to wonder
if it could be possible he had any suspi-
cions | could not. could only think of
something to eat was so hungry
The door opened wide again; he had left
it partially ajar; l could see his face. 1t
was not the pawnbroker, but young man.
IF [ had met him elsewhere should have
said unhesitatingly that he was gentleman.
In that instant's gaze his features stamp
ed themselves indelibly on my memory.
"You-you are not Mr.. Lindon p fall
tered.
"No, he is not in; but here are the ten
pounds, and this is the ticket He count
ed the money down on the counter; gath
cred it up and thrust it and the ticket into
my handbag. He opened the door, and as
/ passed out he said
''This is your real name and address =
Ny heart beat so violently that [ could
not answer,
I bowed my head and drew my veil more
closely over my face Then he added:
II only asked because ladies sometimes
make mistake of giving fictitious ones,
Good afternoon.
I bowed again and went out; [ was so
weak and faint | could hardly stand.
stood for few instants wondering what
| should do.
Then [ saw restaurant for ladies on the
other side of the street. 7 crossed over,
entered it and ordered food-some soup,
meat and vegetables.
was like another person by the time |
had finished my meal,
started at once for my home, My
brain was clear enough now. | could think,
and thought was necessary.
How was | to account to my landlady
for having the money? Still worse came
the reflection that if | had gone directly to
her with the ring she would have paid for
advertising it and have sheltered me till |
could have obtained the reward,
Then the rush and whirl in my head be-
gan anew, and | could only wonder stupid
ly if | were really theft I should be
arrested in the end
must have gone on all the while, for
before [ knew it found myself at the
house. [ still had the latch-key. [ opened
the door and went down into the front
kitchen,
The landlady was sitting there mendiRg
her boys socks.
She looked up as l entered, and as |
pushed back my veil uttered a cry, dropped
her work and came toward me.