Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-09-13

81 took the liberty or calling to in
qulre about ring that was lost in a
very singular way" he began. Il have
been told that it was found by Miss
Dalton"
He addressed himself to Lena, bend
ing forward as he spoke.
at was my sister who found ring
In singular manner" said Lena.
''Oh, beg your pardonl Yes, I be-
he acknowledged. Would you have
any objection to describe to me the per-
son on whose finger you saw it," he
continued. turning to Bertha.
mo objection, whatever" Bertha re-
piled.
She then repeated the description she
had already given so frequently of her
opposite neighbor in the omnibus.
"Ah, exactly So" said Mr.. Fancourt,
as she concluded-''it is as 1 supposed.
1 know the man. He was once a-sort
of a-seryant of mine" he added, STAN
mering. He stole the ring"
THAT is just what Lord Alphington
thought" announced Bertha. HE was
sure it was stOlen.''
You are acquainted with Lord Alph-
ington then?" Fancourt exclaimed, in
some surprise.
MY daughters had the pleasure Of
making his acquaintance while on a
visit to neighbOr of his-Sir Stephen
Langley" quietly interpoSed Mrs. Dali
ton.
Bertha had drawn back as soon as
she had given the information required.
She did not care to say any more than
was absolutely necessary. There was
something about this man excessively
repugnant to her.
n Ill - r.
Fancourt," Mrs. Dalton continued;
Lord Alphington told my daughters
that his grandson and heir had made
himself known"
Il have not yet seen Lord Alphing-
ton" Fancourt said; ''but l heard from
him"
Il understand that Lord Alphington
intended coming to town to-day" put
in Lena, joining in the conversation.
ut was his intention; but this morn
ing received telegram putting off our
meeting till Monday" explained Fan
court, drawing nearer to Lena as he
spoke, and gazing at her with eyes all
aglow His lordship found himself
threatened with a tinge of the govt
yesterday" be added.
Lena did not meet his glance; she
turned her head slightly, so that her
plOLllC lUSCll W Liz
view.
81 am sorry to deprive you of the
ring, Miss Dalton" he said, again ad-
dressing Bertha, feeling that he had no
excuse for prOlonging his visit; 'but l
fear [ must put in a claim to it. Or
perhaps you would prefer to place it in
the solicitor, Mr.. Thompson's hands?
1t is all the same thing"
81 should have been happy to do So"
Bertha replied, chad it been in my
power. but | am very sorry to say that
the ring was lost while my sister and |
were in the cOuntry-stolen again, it
seems"
Il don't see why you should say it
was stolen" said Mrs. Dalton. THAT'S
just the way you run off with an idea.
1t is perfectly mOnstrOus the way in
which you stick to it that the very lady
like person who called here on Wednes-
day took the ring"
as he heard the ring was lost again, but
he restrained himself in time. The eff
fort it cost him to trim his customary
language, so as to suit his speech to his
hearers. gave a rather unnatural and
Stilted effect to his manner, which was
not unnOticed by his companions.
"a lady called here last Wednesday,"
he exclaimed, with a sudden flush.
WAS she a tall woman, with black
eyes and dark complexion" he asked,
unguardedly.
Eyes, tall certainly, and with rather
a sallow complexion; she was in wild
owls weeds, had gray hair and wore
blue Spectacles, SO that | could not see
her eyes. She was quite a lady in her
manners" said Mrs. Dalton.
"The deuce" muttered Fancourt I'M
der his breath; and then, in some con-
fusion, he ran his fingers through La,
hair.
Bertha observed him narrowly