The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-06
A HASTY JUDGMENT.


" Certainly - he replied.
He extended his hand to receive it, and
she apparently gave it 20 him.
Where is it:' he asked, still holding
ont his hand.
I gave it to you,'' she answered in
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 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 was
done and general search made, but the
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, Ediths'' he asked
mo, . she answered emphatically. IT
gave it to ysu. You have it.
There was embarrassment on all sides.
but young Burns controlled himself and
said firmly
I have not the ring No doubt it will
be found. -
When you will reveal its hiding place, -
said Edith. 4 don't like practical jokes
of this sort, Arthur
Tho party dispersed, all discussing the
Edith and Arthur remained. In a naughty
manner she turned to him and asked:
Are you waiting for mc?''
Yes, !" he replied.
Then you may go. I prefer TO return
home alone.'
Pale with anger Arthur left the house.
Il have made q mistake, he thought.
Edith has an ungovernablc temper I
am convinced that we arc usifls for each
other Our little quarrels used to be con
To- h41f- t1e--
erywhere 1 shall break the engagement
at once. .
The next morning Arthur first thought
was of the occurrence Of the previous even
ing. He felt only annoyance az Edith, for
he never doubted the rirg v7"uld bo found
after thorough search. He went % the
bank where he occupied the position of
cashier, but SAID netEipg Of the unhappy
affair. After business hours the president,
Mr.. Marsdcn, said
Arthur, / want 0 speak to Won about
the disappearance OF Edssh : ing
Il viii tell you how Il heTper-d, Mr.
Marsden, he replied and hastily gave an
account of the occurrence. I presume it
has come to light before this. Edith's
treatment of me was most insulting,
You are mistakep. said NJ Marsden
quickly. '.Thc ring cannot be found, and
a vigorous search has been made 80
~ here can it hes'' inquired Arthur
Are you sure you don't know, Ar
thur
How should II 10 yen think have
stolen the riDg:''
No, mol You may have hidden it just
Theft is no joking snat.er, Arthur
interrupted. 4 assdre ZOE I have not
the ring, slor do know where it is ="
Mr. Marsden was silent for n few mo
ments; then he said:
i rthur, am very unhappy about this
affair. If you We're my o.Tn son, could
not feel it more. Let rs say nothing fur
thcr at present. 60 home, and tomorrow
we can talk with more composure.
Arthur passed a slccpicss night. Next
morning the usual hour he was al the
bank Upon his desk he found u letter
which he recognized Immediately as being
froln Edith He hastily opened it and
read:
Mr. BURNs-Since you continue to keep my
ring ard refuse 70 give any explanation CT rca
son Tor doing 50. 1 fec Obliged TO say that you
may consider TT engagement at an end In
view Of the friel.cShin between our families,
other step win lie .azer EDITH MARsDEN-
Arthur reelcd and would have fallen but
for the assistance Of q clerk near by He
requested asa interview with the president
at once, ana he and Mr. Marsdcn We're in
close private conversation for some time.
When Uhcy came our. Arthur left the bank,
never to return, but not clerk believed
him guilty
Lawrence was in stir of great excite
1nent when it hecamc known that Arthur
Burns had been accused of stealing Edith
Marsden s diamond ring; that the engage
ment between the two had been broken
and he had lett tho town Sympathy was
with him and his widowed mother, for
he had been a model SON. There were few
who believed him guilty Mrs. Bradford,
at whose house the ring was lost, made
every effort to recover it. but in vain. Mr..
Marsden would not talk of tho matter
Edith felt hurt that Arthur had not
thrown himself at her feet and implored
her to take him back Her pride was
wounded, and she felt that more than the
loss Of the ring.
Arthur went to town in the far west,
where he soon found work Brains tell in
some parts Of our broad land, and at the
end of year he was able to send for his
mother and establish her in u home of
their own After that nothing was heard
of him in Lawrence for some years One
day he received the following letter from
Mr.. Marsden:
DEAR ARrHUR-The ring has been found.
Edith had had dressmaEer in the house for
several days. One of her dresses, a gray silk
she wore it on the evening the ring szzsaEs-
peared-was brought down to be remodeled.
In ripping it Edith felt something hard IN the
puff on the Oversl<irt and drew out tie dia-
nond ring. viii not tell you all that fol
lowed, but Edith wept bitterly and begged me
to recall you at once Come back, my boy,
and take your old place Within my l1lmost
heart I never believed You lty- Your
friend GEORGE AIARsDEN.
Arthur lost no time in replying to this
letter. 4 am glad the ring is found, p
he said ssbut nothing can ever cOrnpen-
safe me for the shame with which you,
through your daughter $ influence, brand
ed me by doubling my honesty have
made a name and place here and am do
ing we'll Under no consideration would
7 return to the scene of my modification
AS for Miss Marsden, I decided on the
<Ho iii, huf