Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-06

was a low pedestal in the center with
the same characters upon it that he
had read with Ada. 1t was the place
after all; yes, he could not be mistaken;
he knew it now.
Where was the statue which had so
lately occupied that pedestal? Had it
fallen over among the bushes? He felt
about for it in vain. 1t must have been
removed for some purpose while he had
been dancing; but by whom, and why ?
| The best way to find out would be to
ask some one in authority. The man
ager was in Baronial Hall officiating as
NJ. c.; he would go and inquire whether
the removal had been by his orders.
He was fortunate enough to catch
him as he was coming out of the hall,
and he seized him by the arm with ner-
vCus haste. Mister" he began, IF
you've found one Of your plaster figures
with a gold ring ON, it's mine. II put
| it on in joking kind Of way, and 1 had
to leave it for while; and now, when
/ come back for it, it's gone"
I'm sorry to hear it, SIR returned
the manager; but really, if you will
leave gold rings on our statues, we
can't be responsible, you know
''But you'll excuse me-" pursued Lean
der; Il don't think you quite under
stand me. 1t isn't only the ring that's
gone-its the statue; and if you've had
/ it put up anywhere else"-
Nonsense" said the manager; eve
don't move our statutes about like chess
men; you've forgotten where you left it,
that's all. What was the statue like?'
Leander described it as well as he
could, and the manager, with a some
what altered manner, made him point
out the spot where he believed it to
have stood, and they entered the grove
/ together.
| The man gave one rapid glance at the
vacant pedestal, and then gripped
Leander by the shoulder, and looked at
him long and hard by the feeble light.
Answer me-" he said roughly; lis this
some lark Of yours?"
| Il look larky, don't II" said poor
Tweddle, dolefully. II thought you'd
be sure to know where it was.''
| 81 wish to Heaven l did, cried the
eanager, passionately; tits those i'm
pudant blackguards. They've done it
under my very noser'
| 'If it's any Of your men," suggested
Leander, cant you make them put it
back again?'
ITS not any Of my men. l was warn
ed, and, like fool, wouldn't believe
| it could be done at time like this; and
now it's too late, and what am l to say
to the inspector? I wouldn't have had
this happen for thousand pounds!'
"Well, it's kind of you to feel so put
out about it." said Leander. You see,
what makes the ring so valuable to me"
The manager was pacing up and
down impatiently, entirely ignoring his
presence. 81 say" Tweddle repeated,
1.-The reason why that rings Of particu-
lar Importance
ooh, don't bother mev' said the other,
shaking him off II don't want to be
uncivil, but I've got to think this out.
Internal rascals!' he went on mutter-
ing.
Have the goodness to hear what /
have to say, though" persisted Lean
der. Pm mixed UP in this, whether
you like it or not; you seem to know
who's got this figure, and I've right
to be told, too. l won't go till l get
that ring back, SO now you understand
me-"
"Confound you and your ring" said
the manager. What's the good of
coming bully-ragging me about your
ring? 1 can't get your ring! You
shouldn't have been fool enough to put
it on one of our statues. You make me
talk to you like this, coming bothering
when I've enough on my mind as it is!
Hang it! Can't you see I'm as anxious
to get that statue again as ever you
can be! If 1 don't get it 1 may be Il
ruined man, for all l know. Amt that
enough for you. Look here; take my
advice and leave me alone before we
have words over this. You give me your
name and address and you may rely on
hearing from me us soon as anything
turns up. You can do no good to your
self or any one else by making row
so go away quiet like a sensible chap"
Leander felt stunned by the blow.
Evidently there was nothing to be done
but to follow the managers advice. He
went to the office with him and gave
his name and address in full and then
turned back alone to the dancing hall.
He had lost his rng-no ordinary
trinket which he could purchase any
where, but one for which he would have
to accountant to whom? 70 his aunt
and Matilda. How could he tell when
there was even a chance of seeing it
again?
If only he had not allowed himself
that waltz; if only he had insisted upon
remaining by the statue until his ring
was removed; if only he had not been
such an idiot as to put it on! None of
these acts were wrong exactly, but
between them they had brought him to
this.
And the chief person responsible was
Miss Ada Parkinson, whom he dared
not reproach; for he was naturally I'M
willing that this last stage of the affair
should become known. He would have
to diSsemble, and he rejoined his party
with what he intended for Il jaunty
air.
We've been waiting for you to go
away" said Bella. Where have you
been all this timer
| He saw with relief that Ada did not
appear to have mentioned the statue,
and so he said he had been ''strolling
about" And Ada left to take care of
herself.' said Bella, spitefully. You