The new North-west., 1885-05-22
scorcs,v in goof taste. NV lady. y

deal more than / would credit most maids
with knowing, who haven't been out before
How you got your ideas of refinement puz
zles me, but you've got them I've a good
mind TO put down my jewelry till hegir
my second mourning. And-I like those
plain black gowns you wear. There is GER
tainly a style about them, and the way yor
do your hair"
II wish i could catch little OF that girl.
manner" she thought, as she watched her in
the glass 81 wish / was as tall and slim n
she Isl What pretty hands she has--a.
white almost as mine-but they are not SC
small No, / am quite sure her hands are
not so small as mine"
From that day Lady Jakes laid by her
rings, her thick gold chain She ceased to
friz and curl her hair The small white
lisss arrangement rested securely on her
head without the aid Of diamond pins. She
lowered her voice in speaking-when she
could recollect She moved about more
sIowy-when she had time. To her ssrv-
ants it was no secret that Lady Jakes was
copying her maid. They looked on as at an
amusing comedy, and smiled.
1t was "assize week" at Mudworth q time
Of great importance in the old country
tJwn. To obtain seat in court-to gaze for
few hours at the judges, the barristers, the
jury and the prisoners-was a species of mild
dissipation in which Lady Jakes thought
she might indulge notwithstanding her re.
cent widowhood. Accordingly she went
On her return IL was almost her din ner
hour and Margaret was assisting at her toi-
lette, she said: II met with quite an ad
venture to-day, Johnsonl The heat was so
dreadful in that close stuffy gallery nearly
tainted. had to have water and smelling
salts brought to me, and at last was obliged
to be assisted down stairs. One Of the bar
risters In his wig and gown-such a hand
some fellow, ! had noticed him before
happened TO be standing at the bottom Of
the stairs, and ordered me to be taken to
nice cool room. He was 30 polite that when
| came round inquired his name. He said
it was Charles Bywell Related TO Canon
Bywellp / asked, and he told me he was
his nephew and only living relative. l ex
pect to see something more Of Mr.. Bywell,"
she added, smiling significantly, as she
looked at herself in the glass, "and then. no
doubt, l shall have some news for you con-
cerning your old patron, Johnson"
Had her ladyship been less occupied with
her toilet and her own thoughts, she might
have remarked the deep blush, succeeded by
a deathly palor on the face Of her usually
calm attendant. Twice Margaret attempted
to speak, but voice failed her. At last, as
steadily as she could, she said: "Will You
do me the very great favor Of not mention
ing my name to Mr.. Bywell, my lady?"
You are too late johnson, for have al
ready mentioned it, | told him it was owing
to the very excellent character written by
his uncle, the canon, that had obtained my
present maid. He looked anything but
pleased and muttered something below his
breath not complimentary to the canon.
There was no time then 10 que e;tion him,
however. Give me my fan. Dear, dear,
how warm it is. And how pale you look,
Johnsoni suppose it ia the heat that is af.
fecting everybody"
The following morning Lady Jakes de.
cided again to attend the court At the last
moment before setting off she felt an ire
sfstible 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, how.
ever, was missing: in vain she turned over
all the contents of the drawer; it was not
there. She charged Margaret tn find il 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 excessive, the cases tried uninteresting
and her handsome barrister acquaintance OF
the day before had simply bowed to her as
she passed him, whereas she expected he
would have spoken at least, IL not escorted
her TO her carriage. Altogether it had been
a day Of disappointments
"Where is my ringp were her first words
to Margaret.
"I am sorry can not find it," replied the
girl II have searched for it from the time
you left till now"
"Not found iti Then 1t Is the old storylp
cried Lady Jakes, impetuously. II have
been robbed 1t is most abominable that
servants should be dishones:> Ny last maid
was a convicted thief, and now"
"Do you suspect me- Lady Jakesl" asked
Margaret, speaking very quietly, but raising
her head proudly, as with straight and
level glance she looked full at her mictress
"Don't be ridiculous, johnson You know
do moi. Canon Bywelrs letter wac
sufficient to prevent that But I'm deter.
mined to find the thief, though, and to have
my ring back. Send for policeman
johnson"
Excuse me, my lady. That is scarcely
my province"
Her ladyship was furious 3Desire Sym
monds TO come to me-" she said. Symmonds
was the footman; and, little anticipating
what was tie issue, ten minutes later he
brought police officer to the house.
"Now, call all the servants and come with
them hers." said Lady Jakes, 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,
policeman, a valuable diamond ring is miss
ing and must be found am certain it Is
In this house. suspect no one in particular,
mind, but my servants drawers and boxes
must be searched at once. All except my
maids She, know, is honest"
A babel Of indignant protestations here
aro e, which was only quieted by Margaret
coming forward and saying in her clear, low
tones: "If Lady Jakes orders her servants
to be subjected to this indignity, they can
but submit: the reader all are to assist this
man in his unpleasant Office the quicker it
will be over My room shall be searched
with the rest"
So saying, she placed her hand gently on
the shoulder OF young housemaid who was
sobbing bitterly. Her words-above all,
her gentle warmth Of manner-went straight
to the hearts Of those very men and women
who thus far had looked at her askance, IL
not with hatred. Now, each one seemed
more impatient than the rest to have his or
her possessions searched. The proceedings
would probably have lasted far into the
night but for one simple incident
"Pass that-it's the lady's maids room
and come to mine," cried the young girl
eagerly whom Margaret had defended But
the functionary of the law stood still. He
had an eye to business, and did not care to
go over the same ground twice. "We1l
take them as they come, he replied, and
turned into Margarets room
A detailed account of the search here
would be needless. It was Of short dura-
ton
Lady Jakes, who had retired to the draw
room, awaiting the result, was soon apprised
of IT, A knock at the door, permission to
enter given, and the policeman and Mar
garet johnson appeared upon the threshold.
Margaret pale as death, fixed her large
earnest eyes on her mistress; there was a
pleading, pitiful expression In them, but no
appearance OF guilt or shame.
"The ring was found In this young
womans box, my lady; she says she's inno-
cent" announced the policeman
1Found In Johnson's boxf Is IL possibleF
The man smiled slightly, and. with q hasty
glance at the accused and at the door-as
though little doubtful about its being safe |
10 let 60 his hold-he stepped cautiously
across the floor to Lady Jakes and laid the |
missing ring upon the table by her sids
"0h, Johnsoni This is too badln she crisi. |
Haven't treated you more as q friend than |
q servant II you had asked me for the |
ring might have given it TO you. Oh, 1t is |
Infamous that l should have been so de- |
ceivedi And Canon Byweli gave you such
4 good character, tool Have you nothing |
10 say for YOURSELF Can't you spsak, girlf' |
The raat faarz stood I'm Ma ~u rats1 aya.