Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-12

nable that servants should be dishon-
est. Ny last maid was a convicted thief,
and now"
"Do you suspect me, Lady Jakes p
asked Margaret. speaking very quietly.
but raising her head proudly, as with a
stralg 1t and level glance she looked full
at her mistress,
DON'T be ridiculous, Johnson. You
know l do not. Canon Bywelps letter
was sufficient to prevent that. But Pm
determined to find the thief, though,
and to have my ring back. Send for pO-
licemau, Johnson.V
"EXcns' mo, my lady. That is scarcely
my province"
Her ladyshIp was furious. "Desire
Symmonds to come to me,v she said.
symmOnds was the foOtman, and, little
an iclpating what was to ensue. ten min
utes alter he brought a police officer to the
house.
Now call all the servants and come
with them here" said Lady Jakes, who
IN Der excitement had gone out into the
hail. "Puliceman," she began, as the
aslonIshed domestics, male and female,
came hurrNing forward. "policemen,
a valuable diamond ring is missing
and must be found. | am certain it is
in this house. | suspect no one in par
licular, mind, but my servants drawer
aud boxes must be searched at once.
All except my maids. She, l know, is
honest"
A babel of indignant protestatlons
here arose, which was only quietrd by
Margaret coming forward and saying in
her clear, low tones: III Lady Jdkes
orders her servants to be subjected to
this inddgnty. they can but submit; the
readier all are to assist this man in his
unpleasant of e the quicker it will be
over. My room shall be searcned with the
rest"
So saying, she placed her hand gently
on the shoulder of n young hnusemaid
who was sobbing bitterly. Her words
above all, her gentle warmth OF manner
went stral- mt 10 tAe hearts 0f these very
mon and women who thus far had looked
at her askance, if not with hatred. Now,
each one seemed more inpatient than the
rest to have his and her possessions
searched. The proceedings PROBABLY
would have lasted far into the night bur
for one simple incident.
"Pass that-it's the iadv's MAIDS room
and come to mne," cried the young girl
agerly whom Margaret had defended.
But the funcliouary of the law stood still.
He had an eye to business, and did not
care to 90 over the same ground twice.
Wen take them as they Gomez he re-
a detailed account of the search here
would be needless. 1t was of short dura-
ton.
Lady Jakes, who had retired to the
drawing room awaiting the result, was
soon appraised Of it. A knock at the door,
permission TO enter given, and the p'lice-
man and Margaret Johnson appeared
npon the threshold. Margaret, pale as
death, iX-d her lar g. 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
w0man's box, my lady; she says she's in
nocent," announced the policeman.
"FOund in JOhnsons box? Is it posi-
ble?o
The man smiled slightly, and with a
hasty glance at the accused and at the
d0Or-as tn ugh little doubtful about its
being safe to let 90 his hOld-he stepped
cautiously across the floor to Lady Jdkes
and laid The missing ring upon the table
10y her side.
ooh Jobpsoul THIS is too badw she
cried. Haven't l trusted you in every
way? Haven't | treated you more as a
triend than a servant? If you had asked
M for the ring / might have given it to
vou Oh. it is infamous that | should
have been so deceived! And Canon By
we'll gave you such a character, too
Have you nothing tn say for yourself!
Can't Won speak, grl?'
The great tears stood in Marguerite
ewes. but did not fall. She looked pite-
ously from her mistress to the flushed
and excited faces Of the servants who
nal followed.
81 have nothing to say, except that
am innocent. did not put 1t there" she
faltered.
"lnn1eentw sneared the policeman,
''the ring was hidden in the finger of "A
glove On the top Of her locked box. nv
lady. was lying this pair of gloves. /
might just have tossed them on one side,
but. thinks I. they're smart gloves now
tor a lady's maid, and handled them al
most by chance. Inside the finger Of one
Of them | found this ring. Queer hiding
place and clever"
AS he spoke he pushed the ring into
the third fin er of the right-h7nd glove
in illustration of his words. "Am | to
have away the young woman on the
charse?"
But the poor girl heard no more; she had
tainted.
''No, no; l won't turn her away to-
night" answered Lady Jakes, whose an
ger was fast a atng. Garry her up 10
her room, some OF you. She can stay till
morning. Leave the gloves, policeman,
and if you look in a. breakfast time to-
morrow | will tell you what | have de-
eided to do"
No sooner had MARGARET been conveyed
iuennsihle to her room than Mr.. ByWell
was announced. Now, LADY Jakes had
looked forward to rece wing the handsome
barrister, should he call, in a calm, even
stately manner; but the painful occur
nee that had just transpired efTectu-
ally ehaced all such intentions. After
apOlogizing 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 Of my own.
Indeed. find myself in position of such
difficulty that | am in a measure hound TO
take you into my confidence. Margaret
Johnson
con. Mr.. Bywell!" she interrupted
eagerly, ''haVe 70 come To speak 10
me about that wretched girl. What
ever it is, it can scarcely be worse than
| already know. How UNANIMOUSLY she
has deceived US ALL"
"Parlou me, do not understand you
in the least"
"No? / thought, Of course, 10 was some
thing about her character you had come
to tell me. Well. then, 10 is for me 10 inn
pare "A confidence to YOU. Alter All your
uncle, the Canon, said Of her, after all the
kindness and cons dprati0n have Gown
hpr-wOuld you believe it.? she has turned
out 10 hn--a thief"
"No, / would not believe i'll" the young
barriter said sternly. while his face
turned pale with passion, and his eyes
cleaned oufnnuely Indy .Tukog moved