The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-02-01


1t was a beautiful morning. The
sun shone brightly, the park seemed
full of twittering birds rs | passed
Through it, and the grass looked fresh
and green from the soft spring rains.
was in excellent spirits at the pros
pect OF spending day among the
flowers, of which | was passionately
fond, with no stupid children to correct
and no dull lessons to hear.
On reaching the hall | almost
screamed with delight for it looked
like an enchanted palace, the work OF
fairies instead of man. For hours |
wandered through isles carpeted with
soft moss, banked by pyramids OF
flowers reaching to the roof Here
were carnations OF every hue, their
spicy aroma filling the air. There the
graceful heliotrope nodded to her
dainty neighbor, the lily OF the valley,
while the calIas, drawn uplike soldiers
on guard, were surrounded by delicate,
waving fern. And over it all hoated
the fragrance of roses.
During my walk among the flowers
| had several times encountered a
stout, elderly lady, richly dressed, ac-
companied by u very handsome
young man who called her "aunt,
and whose blue eyes looked into mine
so earnestly each time he passed that
| turned away blushing. Presently |
found myself close behind them. |
had stopped to examine q large cac-
tus, and they had evidently halted for
the same purpose, the lady lifted her
arm to point toward the plant, and |
was admiring the long, beautiful fringe
on her mantle, when the crowd surg
ing, pushed me against her, and it be-
came entangled about one Of my ear
rings, The owner OF the fringe, per
fectly unconscious hurried on to join
her handsome nephew, who was o
little in advance, while |, much against
my will was obliged to keep pace with
her.
The absurdity of the situation
forced itself upon me, and | trembled
with suppressed laughter. There |
was being led along like "a lamb to
the slaughter" vainly endcavoring to
free myself without attracting atten-
ton and without injuring my precious
earring. Had there not been a young
man in the case should have spoken,
but | had no desire for that particular
one to see me i'll such a ridiculous po-
sition. But, alas! it was to be. In
despair gave a frantic tug at the
fringe, that seemed to possess the
strength OF a cable. 1t parted 40 sud
denly that my clenched hand struck
the broad back before me with such n
resounding whack that the old lady
was rendered quite speeches. for a
moment.
"What in the world do you mean,
young woman2" she finally grasped,
irately.
'l-your fringe-my earring" |
stammered, turning scarlet as | saw
those blue eyes again looking into
mine.
''Did it hurt You or injure your ear
ring?' he asked kindly, as if he pitied
my embarrassment.
That is not the thing" the old lady
calculated GROSSLY, before | had time
to answer. MY fringe is quite ruined
several strands are gone. All it is
caught on your miserable earring
that did all this mischief" she said
tartly, stepping up to me to loosen it
Then she dropped her hands with 6
little shrek, and clutched me tightly
by the arm.
Gilbert, look" she cried excitedly
"My emeralds, my stolen emeralds
All, you wicked creature
"Hush! aunt" her nephew said in 6
low tone, "'rhat girl is not a thief
and there is more than one pair o
earrings in the world"
There is not another pair like
mine" she said decidedly, lookin!
scornfully at me-"
1t had all taken place so suddenly
that | stood like one dumb; but nov
| cried out passionately;
81 did not steal them-1 bought
them onl; last night"
The old lady shifted contemptuous
ly, and glanced suspiciously at my
well-worn black gown; but her nephew
said gently;
IL believe you, and regret that my
aunt is so severe; Will you not com,
with us to a more private place ant
tell us about it?"
lie courteously offered me his arm
but proudly declined it, and walked
by his side with head erect and burn
ing cheeks. ], Mildred Heath, accused
OF stealingl We entered room at tn,
end OF the long hall used as an Office
but now quite deserted; and without
further ado began tremulously-so
a lump would come into my throat:
MY name is Mildred Heath, and
am schoo-teacher. saw the eme
raids in pawnbroker's window, and
although it was a foolish thing to do
| admired them so much that bough
them"
| handed the Jewels to their owner
but her nephew lnterposed.
Keep them just one moment, Mis-
Heath; am very glad to hear you
| explanation, and beg that you will
pardon my aunt's hasty words. Nov
think an explanation is dueyou. NJ,
aunt, Mrs, Radcliffe, had a valuable
pair OF emerald earrings taken iron
her hall table, where she had carelessl,
lett them. The front door stood opel
at the time. We had never been abb
to trace the jewels; these may or ma,
not be hers. Will you kindly look oil
the rim OF the setting and see il Their
is engraved there the letter r.?
/ looked at the setting closely, ant
there, SO small that the naked ey
could scarcely see it, was the letter.
Yes, | said, "the earrings are un
doubtedly Mrs. Radcliffe s." and
gave them to her, when she was a
profuse in her apologies as she hat
been in her accusations.
81 have a favor to ask OF you, Mis-
Heath, " Gilbert Radcl ffe said. "Ou
carriage is at the door, and Shout,