Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-04-01
THE GARNET RING.


enthusiastic over its beauties.
How pretty it is !" she said. "a
ring is the neatest piece of jewelry a
girl can wear"
Il dare say you wish this one was
yours" said Marcia Carter, ill-natur-
edly.
"Oh, no ~ earnestly responded Doris.
81 take more pleasure in seeing it on
Ewes finger than ON my own"
"very likely p sneered Marcia.
Marcia Carter was the spiteful girl of
the school. She appeared to take de-
light in saying disagreeable things.
Yet her bold, Independent manner was
very attractive to girls of a gentler na-
ture. But hers was only temporary
influence; their love was given to Doris
Frisbie and Evelyn Ferguson.
Doris invariably passed her examina-
tions creditably, stood high in deport-
ment, and was of an exceedingly ami
able disposition. Marcia was envious
of her very excellence
One Wednesday evening soon after.
Mrs. Frisbie had a delightful surprise
awaiting Doris on her return from
school. She had purchased for her q
ring SO like Evelyn's that casual OBJ
server could not have seen any differ
ence in them.
20 mamma !" exclaimed Doris. "How
did you know that l wanted ring like
Evie's?"
From your manner when you told
me about hers" said her mother, smil-
ing.
'It was very kind of you. mamma
dear. May go over and show it to
Evelyn ?"
"Not this evening it will soon be
dark !; you may 60 in the morning"
But when Doris went to see her
friend she was told that Evelyn had
gone to spend the day with her grand
parents. So Doris had no opportunity
of seeing her until Friday; and as she
did not arrive at school until the bell
was ringing for the opening exercises,
Evelyn was the only one of the girls
who had not seen Doris new ring 1t
was her intention to show it to her at
recess, but before that time Miss
Waverly sent her on an errand, and she
VAA AOg lOtuLh uAtll uOOu
During recess Evelyn communicated
to her companions the fact that she had
lost her ring.
Il had it on my finger on Wednesday
afternoon, and did not miss it until /
reached home. 1t was very careless of
me, and l am SO grieved about its
loss"
They all expressed regret, and many
were the exclamations of "Oh, it is too
bad I" and "Oh, how sorry am r until
they were interrupted by Marcia Car.
ter.
Evelyn, 1 do not think you lost your
ring; it was stolen from you, and Doris
Frisbie has it T.
Not one of the girls wonld have
thought of casting the least suspicion
on Doris. Marcia's words brought II
flush of indignation to Evelyn's face us
she replied:
Are you not ashamed of yourself.
Marcia Carter. to speak so of my
friend ?"
No, 1 am not. Every girl present
can tell you that Doris came to school
this morning wearing garnet ring
exactly like yours. She said her mother
gave it to her. believed her then, but
now know it was your ring"
DO not say that again, Marcia; it is
false and unjust. If Doris told you The
ring was gift from her mother l am
sure she spoke the truth; it may not
be exactly like mine, after all. :"
Evelyn glanced appealingly around
the group. expecting some of the girls
to agree with her, but several voices cx-
claimed
1T may not be your ring, Evelyn,
but it is certainly Just like il.
well, at noon l shall see it, and
prove to you Marcia error"
When Doris came Evelyn asked to
see her ring.
II am so sorry, Evie, but I lost it
when l went home to luncheon, and in
such funny way. The dining room
carpet was up, and the ring slipped
from my hand and rolled into knot
hole in the floor. Papa was not at
home, or he would have taken up tue
board"
Marcia began to laugh in a mocking
manner. Her conduct touched the
proud spirit of Doris and she resented
it by asking sharply:
What do you mean, Marcia? Why
are You laughing
Il can't help it, Doris ; do you think
us so simple as to believe that story 2"
1T is not story, Marcia Carter"
"Ah, Doris, Doris = And Marcia
shook her finger reprovingly at her.
Your conduct is ineomprehensible,
Marcia please explain it.
There was more anger in Doris tone
than she had ever before manifested.
lit is just this, Doris: Evelyn has
lost her ring, and the one you wore
this morning was so like it that we have
drawn but one inference from the cir
cumstance."
A moment of reflection, and then
Doris in quick accents inquired
Marcia. do you mean that you sus-
pect me of taking Evelyn's ring q
For answer Marcia nodded. Doris
glanced around and read doubt and
suspicion on every face but that of Eve
lyn, who put her arm about her friend
as she said
This is O cruel accusation, girls !
did not believe that one of you cOnld
be so easily influenced by fancied re-
semblance. Until you apologize to
Doris l shall not speak to any of yon.
This was no mild threat, for Evelyn
was always generous with her bonbons,