New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-08


Some years ago several girls were gathered together
for afternoon tea in the boudoir Of their hostess,
stately dame of the Old regime, when, to please her
young guests, the old lady had brought out many
old time treasures in the way of gowns and Jewels
Paang the latter in their easket the party broke
up Mrs s. turned the key In the lock and put the
box away neglecting verify the casket until later
in the evening then approaching herself for her care
lessness she opened the 10 that nothing was
missing. To her CONSERVATION she found that very
valuable ring gone. OF course the most minute
and thorough search of the made, and every
part Of the old gowns carefully examined All was
in vain the ring had disappeared and was never seen
again. Deeming it useless, Mrs. s decided not TO
mention the matter TO her young guests, fearing 10
might make them uncomfortable, and so the matter was
dropped
A few months later three of the party, including
Mrs $, happened TO be stopping together at a
large country house on the Hudson. one morning
when most OF the house party at breakfast their
hostess came down rather late, looking very much
worried. q have had most annoying loss, she
said as she entered the room. "Two rings Of consd-
esble value have been taken from my room. At this
season I always have my coffee early. and work for
hak an hour in my rose garden, leaving my rings on
the ring stand on my dressing table. 1t is careless
habit, ! know but I have done constantly and
most Of the servants have been with long that
never felt that there any danger. This morning
J left them there as usual but when came back 10
dress for breakfast found two Of them gone %he
event naturally caused great connection In
the house; the servants Intercepted and
suspicion finally attached itself 10 French nurse
who had lately entered the household. The theft,
however, not proved and she left, vowing ven
eeanee You insult Us, you examine oar effects,
she screamed in shriu anger Rut regard then in the
trunks Of ces danes they be voleurs as well as
nous autres. The fine miss will betray herself some
Gay. be sure Of that" And she departed meta
phoneally shaking the from of her shoes. Her
last remark set Mrs. 5 thinking. "Could 1t be
possible she said TO herself that the woman
was right" No; II was too absurd but Min
Me dressed wonderfully well for girl in mod
erite circumstances. But how wrong thought the
conscientious old lady, TO let the chance word OF a
dismissed servant influence me- and she felt that she
ad done wisely in not menitning her own loss OF the
Winter before
One year later Mrs. s. visited a welbnOwn water
hg Place where she found Minnie stopping with some
ihends at the hotel. and the afternoon she
encountered Josephine, the suspected French maid,
walking with Two pretty little children the veranda.
stopping her she passed, the girl poured forth an
eager stream OF entreat1es. she had found good
Place she said and "A kind lady Madame. she begged.
would mention last years annoyance: she assured
Madame she was innocent, as Madame would find
out YET she added meaningly. The knd-hearted Mrs.
b. promised but she felt thoroughly bewilderoi
Shen couple Of days later mutual acquaintance
'ho had recently arrived missed valuable bracelet.
Is II not odd dear Mis-. s. said Minnie. running
W TO her In the drawing ROOM Did you know Jose
pune here" What do you think we ought to
20 about last year? But she spoke she
ufnee CHASTITY pale. for behind her stood the French
woman, her DARK anght with triumphant revenge,
ana holding up the setting Of the bracelet out OF which
every stone mad been distracted ! have "itnesse,
sue tAry Kissed / knew where to find tbe bracelet
Oul AademolselIe where the stones = FAIRY
0sefed by the clever precautions OF the revengeini
mad the miserable girl attempted no defence ane sub
sesuenty made full confession. For years she had
ooen no better nay, rather worse, than common
stealing petty articles at first. but becoming
o'aer As she found she could obtain money by selling
G stolen goods. Not only did she buy dresses and
.e"ery for herself but for the last twe!vemonth she
aken TO Safeguarding, succeeding beyond her
aopauons at FIRST bat finally losing everything.
a. as her urgent need 10 make good her recent losses
-" tempted her 20 take the bracelet. hoping 10 draw
.p'cion upon Josephine. With great difficulty the
SC was sleDced, and Mlnnie's unele who was also
guardian, was teiegrspbed for. One of the proud
men and eevotediy attached 20 his children, he
af her aft a