Nevada County picayune., 1886-04-14
THE LOST RING.

| l had very good place at Miss Calthorpe's. was always allowed to sit in the little dressing-room opening out of Miss CalthOrpe's own apartment, and sew quietly by myself.
 "Stella is such a nice little thing" Miss Calthorpe said.
 And you may believe I was very glad of such a good situation, after all that my mother and l had gone through with. You see, l was ed ucated at a fashionable boarding school, but when my poor father died, leaving his affairs in such hopeless confusion, I had come home without waiting to graduate.
 "Don't be afraid mother" said I. "I'm sure l can teach and support you"
 But l couldn't get a situation as teacher, nor as nursery governess.
 Then 1 answered an advertise ment for a saleswoman, and got a situation in fancy store. But 1 soon found it was wearing me out. So l took place with Miss Cal thorpe, for was always qnick with the needle and had very fair idea of dress making.
 Miss Culthorpe was q great beauty and belle, and bad a i naughty way with her; but she was very kind to me and paid me the fourteen a month as regularly as the day came around. And George Miner was always at the corner of Saturday nights to walk home with me, for had Sundays to my self in the dear little room where mother sat at her knitting, and the little copper tea-kettle sung on the stove as if to welcome me home. got acquainted with George at the Teachers Bureau. He was looking for 3 place as teacher of Latin aud Mathematics-aud he succeeded in obtaining a very good One-and when he laid up money enough, and saw his way clear, we were to be married.
 So you can easily see that those days in Miss Calthorpe's dressing room were very happy ones for me. For as l sewed 1 dreamed nd not Miss Calthorpe herself, going out, night after night, to her brilliant balls and parties, in her elegant silks and tissues was hall so secretly blissful as 1,
 Until the losing of that pearl ring.
 IL was very valuable one-at least so 1 was told-a stone oi great size and luster-and there was nobody but us in the room the day it was lost.
 "Of course she has taken it, said Mrs, Midget, Miss Calthorpe's aunt.
 "Oh, aunt" sad Miss Calthorpe dcprecatingly; stella is such | good, quiet little thing, and have always found her strictly reliable "Because she had never beer tempted" said Mrs. Midget, set ting her thin lips coldly together
 So they sent me away! Dear mother sympathized witf me in my troubles, cried on my shoulder, called Miss Calthorpe s "cruel, heartless wretch," and de clarcd we would live on bread and water until l could get another place. But George Miner changed in his manner. and there was that in his look and voice that sttine me to the heart.
 George" said l, one evening "spcak out; if you think me thiei say so."
 "Well," said George, nersously twirling his thumbs, "since you wish me to be frank, it will, per haps be best for both parties. MJ situation depends good deal up on my character, and 1 had better not form any ties with a person who has been even suspected CHsar's wife, you know" and he laughed uheasily.
 drew off the ring and gave il back to him. But my heart was too full for me to speak a word and, through my tears, l could sec the pained look on his face. For l