Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-16
..ASTY JUDGMENT.

A party of young people had gathered
at the house Of friend Edith Marsden
was going to the piano to play. On tax
ling her seat she turned to her betrothed
land said:
arthur, will you keep this ring for me
antil we go homer"
Certainly" he replied.
He extended his hand to receive it, and
she apparently gave it to him.
Where is it2" he asked, still holding
out his hand.
II gave it to you," she answered in
some surprise.
II beg your pardon, Edith, but you did
not give it to me. You must have dropped
it,"
II am sure gave it to you," Edith as.
serted.
Don't be so positive. I have not the
ring" said Burns.
One of the young ladies suggested that
Edith should shake her dress, as it might
have fallen among the folds. This waa
done and general search made, but tho
ring could not be found.
This is very strange" said Arthur
Burns
Very" echoed the rest.
Couldn't it have caught in any part Of
your dress, Edith?' he asked
NO" she answered emphatically. II
gave it to you. You have it..
There was embarrassment on all sides,
but young Burns controlled himself and
said firmly:
Il have not the ring, No doubt it will
be found"
when you will reveal its hiding place."
said Edith. Il don't like practical jokes
of this sort, Arthur"
The party dispersed, all discussing the
strange disappearance of the ring. Only
Edith and Arthur remained. In naughty
manner she turned to him and asked:
Are you waiting for meH"
Yes" he replied.
"Then you may CO. Iprefer to return
home alone"
Pale with anger, Arthur left the house.
~ have made mistake" he thought.
edith has an ungovernable temper
am convinced that we are unfit for each
other. Our little quarrels used to be con-
fined to ourselves, but now they occur ev.
erywhere. 1 shall break the engagement
at once"
1uC uCAU AIIluE uIoU OllOuBII
was of the occurrence of the previous even
ing. He felt only annoyance at Edith, fol
he never doubted the ring would be found
after thorough search. He went to the
bank where he occupied the position O.
cashier, but said nothing Of the unhapp!
affair. After business hours the president,
Mr.. Marsden, said:
ARTHUR, want to speak to you about
the disappearance of Edith's ring"
II will tell you how it happened, Mr..
Marsden," he replied and hastily gave an
account of the occurrence. II presume il
has come to light before this. Edith's
treatment of me was most insulting,
and"-
''You are mistaken" said Mr.. Marsdeh
quickly. THE ring cannot be found, and
vigorous search has been made"
where can it be2" inquired Arthur.
"Are you sure you don't know, Ar
thur"
How should II Do you think hav
stolen the ringf"
"No, mol You may have hidden it just
for joke"
''Theft is no joking matter" Arthur
interrupted. II assure you 1 have not
the ring, nor do know where it is. O."
Mr.. Marsden was silent for few mo
.ments; then he said:
ARTHUR, am very unhappy about thi.
affair. If you were my own son, 1 coult
not feel it more. Let us say nothing fur
ther at present. Go home, and tomorrow
we can talk with more composure."
Arthur passed a sleepless night. Nexi
morning at the usual hour he was at the
bank. Upon his desk he found letter
(which he recognized Immediately as being
from Edith. He hastily opened it AMI
read:
Mr.. BURNs-Since you continue to keep my
ring and refuse to give any explanation or rea
son for doing so, l feel obliged to say that you
may consider our engagement at an end. Ii
view Of the friendship between our families, nj
other step will be taken. EDITH MARsDEN.
Arthur reeled and would have fallen bm
for the assistance of clerk near by. He
requested an interview with the president
at once, and he and Mr.. Marsden were in
close private conversation for some time
When they came out, Arthur left the bank,
never to return, but not clerk believed
him guilty.
Lawrence was in a stir Of great excite
ment when it became known that Arthur
Burns had been accused Of stealing Edith
Marsden's diamond ring; that theengage
ment between the two had been broken
and he had left the town. Sympathy was
with him and his widowed mother, fol
he had been a model son. There were few
who believed him guilty. Mrs. Bradford,
at whose house the ring was lost, madt
every effort to recover it, but in vain. Mr..
Marsden would not talk of the matter.