Nevada County picayune., 1888-11-28
a loud exclamation

came from the museum, where he had been putting the shaken alliga- tor to rights. "Oh. here's the young man who showed us about! Have you seen anything, sir, ofmy diamond ring!'
 II have not" Walter said; ''but we will look everywhere. You re- member where you went, and we will return and make a thorough search. :"
 "You're dreadfully careless, Jen- nie !' one of the ladies cried, angrily. "When did you see the ring last!"
 ''Oh, when took off my glove to play with the goldfish. Pm sure I took the ring off, and laid it on the side of the table. never put that ring in water and Pm certain 1 took it off then. always do. We shall be sure to find it there."
 They hurried back, but no ring was to be found
 I'm certain put it right here !" the girl cried, with a burst of angry tears. Someone must have stolen it. :" You are mistaken in thinking you took off the ring" Walter Steward said. II remember now noticing it in the water, as you were playing with the fish
 ''It's no such thing!' she cried, rudely. "If l had dropped it in the water, it would be there now, and we can see to the bottom of the globe. l put it here, and it's gone"
 We left you in the room, sir, said the lady, with suspicious glance at Walter.
 He turned as white as death, at the insult conveyed in her tone.
 We will make q thorough search, if you please, madam, he said, cold lv. "The ring cannot be lost. ."
 They retraced their steps to the li- brary, and revisited every spot, turned over the objects in the muse- um Miss Jennie had touched, and ex- amlned the alligator's jaws. Tue girl was weeping bitterly now, and her relatives, vulgar people they were, were loud and vehement in their assertions that the ring had been stolen-Jennie's engagement ring, worth four hundred dollars They requested to see Colonel Hardy, and he listened to their story with stern face and set lips.
 II will have thorough search. and investigation of the matter, la dies" he said, when they had finish ed. ''If the ring was lost here, it will be restored to you."
 The next day young man, broth CT of the owner of the ring, called at the University to ask if anything had been heard of it. Colonel Hardy was at this office with several of the cadets.
 "rhe search is still going on, sir, ;" he answered; ''so far, fruitlessly, but I'm having every object in the rooms moved and examined"
 "lou'd better employ detective, l think" the man answered, sneer- mgly My sister is ready to swear she took the ring off and laid it on the table by the globe of goldfish. ;"
 ''She was mistaken, sir" Walter Stewart said, stepping forward. Fl was officer of the day, and waited on the ladles. remember noticing the flash of the diamond in the water
 Cadet Stewart is confident of the fact" Colonel Hardy said.
 "Stewart,' repeated the young man with keen look at Walter, then lowering his voice, lis he the son of the convict Stewart!"
 Colonel Hardy coldly nodded his head.
 Low as the question was asked, Walter Steward heard it, and with q swelling heart walked to distant window and looked out, his miserable eyes seeing nothing before them.
 ''IIe was officer of the day, was he:" with an insolent laugh. An, well, l dare say the ring will be found, as it was positively dropped in this building, ifyou fal, Colonel Hardy, you'll please let me know, and perhaps l may he luckier,"
 With a last suspicious look at Walter stewart, he took his depart ure,
 That night the classmates of Cadet Stewart held meeting.
 Those people believe he took the ring" Stacey asserted, ':and Colonel Hardy must force him to resign. We must send him deputation to ask