Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-07


the glass, land then, no doubt shall have
some news for you concerning your old patron
Johnson
Had her ladyship been less occupied with
her toilette and her own thoughts, she might
have remarked the deep blush, succeeded by
calm attendant. Twice Margaret attempted to
speak but voice failed her; At last, as steadily
as ass SRe eoaid she said d m you do me the
MIR. Bywell, my LADY,"
''Iou are too late. johnson, for have already
mentioned il. told him it was owing to the
very excellent character written by his uncle,
the canon, that l had obtained my present
maid. He looked anything but pleased, and
muttered something below his breath not COM
plfmentary to the canon. There was no time
then TO question him, however. Give me my
fan. Dear, dear, how warm it Is And. how
pale you look, Johnson | suppose it is the
heat that is affecting every body"
The following morning Lady Jakes decided
before setting Off she felt an Irresistible desire
to wear her diamond rings Accordingly, she
took them from the drawer where they had lain
for the last few weeks, and placed them on her
fingers. One, however, was missing; in vain she
turned over all the contents of the drawer; it
and restore it to her on her return.
Her ladyship came from the court late and in
the worst of tempers. The heat had been eX-
cessive, the cases tried unfnteresting, and her
handsome barrister acquaintance of the day be-
fore had simply bowed TO her as she passed
spoken at least, if not escorted her to her car
riage Altogether it had been day OF disap-
continents.
Where is my ring?" were her first words to
Margaret.
Il am sorry I cannot find it," replied the
girl. IL have searched for 1T from the time you
Not found ite Then it is the old story!'
cried Lady Jakes impetuously; II have been
robbed! 1t is most abominable that servants
should be dishonest. My last maid was con-
victed thief, and now"
do you suspect me- Lady Jakes?" asked
Margaret, speaking very quietly, but raising
her head proudly, as with u straight and level
glance she looked full al her mistress.
Don t be ridiculous, Johnson. You know
do not. Canon Bywelrs letter was sufficient to
prevent that. But I'm determined to find the
thief though, and to have my ring back. Send
for policeman Johnson.
province
Her ladyship was furious. "Desire symmonds
to come to me," she said: Symmond5 was the
footman: and, little anticipating what was to
ensue, ten minutes later he brought a police
Now call all the servants and come with
them here said Lady Ja!les. who in her ex-
element had gone out into the hall. police
man. she began, as the astonished domestics,
male and female, came hurrying forward, "po-
Hceman, a valuable diamond ring is missing
and must be found. l am certain it is in this
house. l suspect no one in particular, mind,
but my servants drawers and boxes must be
L know, is honest
A babel OF indignant protestations here arose.
which was only quoted by Margaret coming
forward and saying in her clear low tones. III
to this indignity. they, can but submit: the
reader all are to assist this man in his unpleas-
ant office the Quicker it will be over. My room
shall be searche d with the rest"
So saying, size placed her hand gentlely on
the shoulder OF young housemaid who was
gentle warmth of manner--wcnt straight to
the hearts Of those very men and women who
thus far had locked at her aSkance, il not with
than the rest to have his and her possessions
searched. The proceedings. probably would
have lasted far into the night, butfor one simple
incident
Pass that-it's the lady's maids roon-and
come to mine cried the young girl eagerly
whom Margaret had defended But the func-
tionaTy od the law stood still. He had an eve to
business and did not care to go over the same
ground twice. wen take them as they come"
he replied, and turned into Margarets room
. A detailed account OF the search here would
be needless. 1t was of short duration
Lady Jalles, who had retired to the drawing
room, awaiting the result, was soon apprised of
ii. knock at the door permission to enter
given, and the policeman and Margaret John
son appeared upon the threshold. Margaret,
pale as death, fixed her large earnest eyes on
her mistress; there was pleading, pitiful eX-
preston in them, but no appearance OF guilt or
shame.
"The ring was found in this young woman's
box, my lady; she says she's innocent" an
nounced the policeman.
Pound in JohnSOn's box? Is IL D0ssibIesu
The man smiled slightly, and with a hasty
glance at the accused and at the door-as though
little doubtful about its being safe to let 90 his
Lady Jakes and laid the missing ring upon the
table by her side.
..oh, Johnson! This is too bads" she cried
Haven't trusted you in every way? Haven't
treated you more as q friend than q servant?
II you had asked me for the ring nsght have
given 1t to you. Oh. it is infamous that shnuId
have been 50 deceived And Canon Bywell ave
you such a 'haracter, too, Have you nothing
to say for you 20 I? Can't you speak. girl?"
The great tea stood in Margarets eyes hl,t
did not fall. She looked piteousIy from hen
mistress to III flushed and excited faces OF the
servants who had followed.
Il have nothing to say, except that am in
nocent. l did not put it there she faItered.
Innocent sneered the policeman 1.-THE ring
was hidden in the finger of glove. On the TOD
of her locked box, my lady. was lying this pair
of gloves. l might just have tossed them on
one side, but. thinks l. they're smart gloves
most by chance. Inside the finger of one of
them found this ring. Queer hidfng-place and
clever"
AS he spoke he pushed the ring into the third
finger OF the right hand glove, in illustration of
his words. Am | TO take away the young
woman on the charger
But the poor girl heard no more; she had
tainted.
NO, no. won't turn her away tonight"
answered Lady Jalses, whose anger was fast
abating. Garry her up to her room, some of
you. She can stay till morning. Leave the
gloves, policemen, and if you look in at break
fast-time tomorrow will tell you what have
decided to do"
No sooner had Margaret been conveyed in
sensible to her room, than Mr.. Bywell was an
ward 70 receiving the handsome barriSter
should he call, in Il calm, even stately fashion:
but the painful occurrence that had just trans
pired efectually etfaccd all such Intentions
After apolosizing for making so late a call ex-
planning briefly that he had been detained in
court he said: 81 was most anxious to see YOU
on private matter ofny own. Indeed, find
myself In a position OF such difficulty II at am
dence. Margaret Johnson"
" Oh, Mr.. Bywen!" she interrupted eagerly
have you come to speak to me about that
wretched girl? Whatever il is, it can scarcely
he worse than already know. How infamous
ly she has deceived US air
81 Pardon me. / do not understand Won in the
least
" No? thought, of course it was something
about her character YOU had come TO tell me-
We'll then, 1t Is for me to impart confidence
her, after all the kindness and consideration I
have shown her-would you believe it?-sLe has
turned out to be-a thief"
g No; would not believe it, the young bar
rister said sternly, while his faced turned pale
with passion, and his eyes cleaned ominouslv
Lady Jakes moved little uneasily on her
chair.
.Of course, it has distressed me terribly she
continued .ior have made quite cofnpan-
iona friend--of Johnson But when nnissad
my most valuable diamond ring today, sent
for O policeman, had my servants boxes
searched, ana the ring was discovered in her
box-why, then, you see, there could be no ques-
ton of her guilt
on the table shook, but his voice was steady as
he asked with studied calmness "You semi for
a policeman? Suspected her? Had her things
searched?"
"No, no. You do not understand. did not
suspect her. told the manto search the other
servants boxes, not hers. But she insisted. 1t
was her own fault she was found out. suppose
she thought in such hiding-pIace the ring