The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-23

AAAARAVSSAVA SAAoe their very insigni6cance rendered it safe to steal missed note paper and envel- opes, reels of cotton and silk from my work-basket, ribbons from my drawers, and similar odds and ends. Some change received from the milkman, and tempo rarily deposited on the dresser in the kitchen, was never accounted for. But the climax was the loss of a valuable sap- phire ring, which, being in hurry one day, had placed in a drawer of my dressing-table. turned the key in the drawer, but omitted to take it out and when, an hour after, came up stairs to put it on, the ring had disappeared.
 1 could hesitate no longer. My bus. band was away, and had none but my own counsel to rely upon and as it was almost certain that the thief must be one of the servants, decided to cali them separately into my bedroom and interro- gate them and il they persisted in deny ing all knowledge of the ring, should then make them turn out their boxes be- fore me. first summoned the cook, whom knew to be honest, and did not for one moment suspect. was not sur- prised to hear her emphatically deny that she had ever touched my things. went up stairs with her, and stood by while she turned out her trunk as a matter of form; and when nothing was discovered, l dismissed her, and told her to send lane the housemaid to me. She was a stout, hearty country girl, who had come to me with an excellent char .cter about six months before. She was a quick -tem. pered, and at once fired up when asked her whether, on her honor, she had any knowledge of the matter
 Ma'am, 1 never took pin of yours or anybody el;e's in my life," said Jane, with an emphasis which seemed most sincere. "And as to your ring, ma'am, I'd give months wages to find it, for l can't bear to think that there are people in this house who are not honest. But, it's perhaps mean to say so, and know you don't encourage us to tell tales of one another-still l feel as if you ought to know that Pm sure one of us is a thief
 :" It is not cook" said.
 "No, ma'am; it's Eliza. You think all the world of her, ma'am, but you're deceived in her. As sure as my names Emma lane Collins, you're deceived in her."
 The girls manner was SO earnest that felt disagreeably shocked.
 Are you quite sure of what you say, |ane2 It is serious thing to bring such ! charge, and never had servant more attentive and obliging than Eliza"
 cant say ever saw her steal any. hing, ma'am," said my handmaiden But Pm sure as possible hat she took your ring, and nobody else"
 "Well, Jane," said, anxious to sift he matter as soon as possible, "I hope 7ou are mistaken in what you say, but, IS matter of form, must see your box 'mptied, as have already seen cooks"
 Very we'll, ma'am, Pm sure I've no objection"
 So 1 led the way to the large attic where all the three girls slept. Jane opened her two boxes with the utmost and stood beside me with mile on her face, as much as to say: You will see what an entirely needless business you have undertakenl"
 l lifted up some collars and cuffs What could this be? Note paper aud envelopes with my monogram, E. C L.-| Edith Catherine Lesterl Hidden away Imong some piles of winter clothing was . miscellaneous assortment of our prop .rty, some of which had not missed as 'et-small nick. hacks out of the drawing oom, volume of Sir Walter Scott, a pair of sleeve links of my husbands, two # my best pocket handkerchiefs, and, oiled up in an old newspaper, a pot of ny strawberry jam! l turned indig- lan,ly to look at Jane, and denounce her IS the thief she was, when, to my utter saw she was staring at the ,lunder with an expression of such com ,lete and stupe6ed astonishment that stranger would have supposed she h Id ,ever seen them before, and was pug. led to know how they came there. At he very bottom of the box was a small package of white paper, loosely tied .ound with thread. Opening it, 1 saw, to ny joy, my missing ring.
 You wicked, wicked grill" said, as slipped it on my finger. "Now, what ,ave'y you to say for yourself?"
 sA hSVSi SPSoA ouoshSh WOA0t na'am," she returned undauntedly, "l lever saw those things before, and 1 lever put them in my box"
 "You can hardly expect me to believe hat" l said, indignant at her falsehood md effrontery. They could not get nto your box without hands"
 "i never put them there," returned ane, beginning to cry. "I don't know vho did, unless it's some wicked person vho wants to ruin me. Oh, ma'am, oh, na am |" she implored earnestly, do believe me when l say never took hemi"
 "That is nonsense, Jane." I said 'ternly. "Telling a lie will not make better oft Turn out your other box, md let me see what else of mine you have itolen."
 There proved to be nothing in it but :aps ani her Sunday hat She never ceased to protest amid her tears that she lad never touched my things, until was | |