The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-07-26
RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY. MD. FRIDAY, JULY 26,

Let bo, let be-" said. receiving ami re-
turning Eunice's caress with coldness.
Don't be disheartened, darling" said my
wife, drawing Eunice to her. "Your father
is not himself this morning."
"Thero is nothing new, mammap" asked
Eunice. anxiously.
mo, dear child" replied my wife, "Rely
upon me-"
| Il will, mamma, 1 will, " murmured Eunice,
her face upon her mothers breast.
I'VE will go down now, Richard" said my
wife; "you will join US presently2"
eyes, presently" 1 replied.
They left tho room together, taking the
iooso roses with them, and 1 proceeded to
make my toilet. 1t was soon completed, and
TOOK my watch from my pocket to ascer-
essn the time. As l put it back my fingers
encountered II ring. / took 1t out and gazed at
it in dumb bastonishment; it was the diamond
ring my unclo had placed upon his finger on
the first night of his arrival. By what strange
means had 1t como unconsciously into my
| possessiOn2
shook my head angrily and impatiently,
and tried to think. My uncle had not given
me the ring, and could scarcely have taken
1t without his knowledge. But with or with
| out his knowledge must havo taken 1t, for
lay in my trembling hand. How did it
| come into my pocket7 Was thief? 1t
needed but question like this to make my
despair complete. Little did suspect what
was yet to be revealed to me and all of us.
The stone In the ring was as have already
stated, not large, and could, ut the utmost,
have been worth not more than twenty
pounds. That should have been guilty of q
theft, and of q theft SO paltry shocked and
overwhelmed me. Yes, that was partly my
thoughts not only Of theft, but of
theft 80 paltry. will make no
attempt at disguise. In the workings of
mans heart mean and sordid motives take
their place-even in the hearts OF the noblest
OF mon; and in my state OF despair shud-
dered to think that it was possible. in the
light OF the threatened future before me. that
might be tempted to commit q crime if lit
would save my wife and daughter from
wreck and ruin. This horrible reflection
brought vividly to my mind the guilty hope
which had stirred within me but few hours
ago, that my uncle would die in the night.
Whit should do with the ring? 1 dared
not show it to my wife; the thoughts which
it must inevitably have inspired in her gentle
breast would, us it were, have revealed to her
base depths in my nature of which she did not
believe me capable. Nor had I myself ever
believed that 1 could fall into degradation so
deep, so complete. But my soul being now
brought TO the bar, carelessness or inaction
would invite an exposure so damnng that
could never hope to recover from 1t.
must be careful, wary, cunning. The cir
cumstance must not be mentioned to Il liv
ing soul. The secret was mine, mine alone,
and must be jealously preserved. The re-
spcct of those I loved SO dearly, and in
whose sunshine l may bo said to have lived
must not be jeoparded. had TO SEQ my uu-
Gle on this morning, and I would take the
opportunity OF slipping the ring somewhere
in his room, or OF dropping it upon the floor,
and thus avoiding suspicion. So resolving,
went down to my wife and daughter with
my guilty secret In my pocket, ready to my
right hand.
Mr.. Mort lock was with them, at breakfast.
and Mdlle. Rosalie. Mr.. Mortlock gave mo
"Good morning." and with hatred in my
heart which, had not held myself in moral
and physical control, would have impclled
me to strike him In the face, 1 returned the
salute, desplsing myself the while for my
contemplate weakness and lack of manhood.
Mdlle. Rosalie raised her eyes shyly to my
face. softly suid, "Good morning. SIR" and
then lowered them again. What was the
meaning Of her shy, timid, singular look2
Did she know my secret? Or was it that
was In the mood 10 place extravagant con-
structions upon the most insignificant details
of social intercourse2 I chose the worst
view. and, gazing with perturbed looks at
them all, took my seat ut the table.
'You do not seem we'll this morning." OBJ
served Mr.. Mortlock.
Aguin Mdlle. Rosalie raised her eyes to
mine with tho same strange look; again she
lowered them Immediately.
liam quite we'll, Mr.. Mortlock." said,
and in no courteous tone. "What makes
you think otherwise?"
Mr.. Mortlock simply said, 81 beg your par.
don" and proceeded with his breakfast.
II I had put the proper construction upon
my wife's behavior to him should have
known that 1t WAS prompted by feeling OF
gratitude towards one who, after all, was
still our guest, for his courteous and consid-
erute reception Of my brusquo words, but
was in IL distorted mood. and it displeased
me TO observe u momentary graciousnoss In
her manner TO the man who had proved
himself to be our evil genius. However,
preserved silence. though my feelings must
have been apparent TO all.
"Havo you seen Mr.. Fleetwood this morn
ingp" asked Mdlle. RosalIe.
Tho question was not directed to any one
In particular, and my wife answered no, shat
she had not seen him. Then, once more,
Mdllc. Rosale looked at me. And now in
her strange glances seemed to detect u
hidden meaning which irritated and con-
fused me. because could not interpret it.
"Do you wish particularly to know II l
have seen him2" asked.
mo, SIR" she replied quietly. 81 was
asking generally. l observe that he has not |
placed the usual flowers on the table,"
This WIS o reference to IL mark of affection
and graceful attention which Samuel Fleet
wood was in tho habit of paying my wife
and daughter. Every morning. when they
came down to breakfast, thore was IL posy
for each OF them placed before their accus-
toned seats at the table. and they knew that |
the flowers oamo from this faithful servant. On |
this morning there were none. My VITO had
noticed the omission, but had made no remark
upon it; and IL Mdlle. Rosalie spoke spite
a.