The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-02
A HASTY JUDGMENT.


and said:
Arthur, will you keep this ring for me
until we go bonner"
Certainly he replied.
He extended his hand to receive it, and
she apparently gave it to him.
Where is it?' he asked, still holding
out his hand.
Il gave it to you" she answered in
some surprise.
Il 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 ia very strange" said Arthur
Burns.
Very" echoed the rest.
sc 'dn't it have caught in any pat OF
your dress, Edith" he asked.
NO she answered emphatically.
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 nes"
Yes" he replied
Then you may 60. prefer to return
home alone"
Pale with anger, Arthur left the house.
Il have made a mistake" he thought.
Edith has an ungovernable temper.
am convinced that we arc unfit for each
other. Our little quarrels used to be con-
fined to ourselves, but now they occur ev-
erywhere. I shall hreak the engagement
at once
The next morning Arthur first thought
was of the occurrence Of the previous even
ing He felt only annoyance at Edith, for
he never doubted the ring would be found
after a thorough search. He went TO the
bank where be occupied the position OF
cashier, but said nothing Of the unhappy
affair After business hours the president,
Mr.. Marsden, said:
Arthur, / want to speak to you about
the disappearance of Edith's ring"
Il will tell You how it happened, Mr..
Marsden, +" he replied and hastily gave an
account CT the occurrence. Il presume it
has come to light before this. Edith's
treatment Of me was most insulting,
and -
You arc mistaken" said Mr.. Marsden
quickly The ring cannot be found, and
a vigorous search has been made"
wv here can it be?'' inquired Arthur.
.sAre you sure you don't know, Ar
thur
How should II Do you think have
stolen the ring:"
No, mol Tou may have hidden it just
for a joke -
Theft is no joking matter" Arthur
interrupted. Il assure you l have not
the ring, nor do know where it is. ~
Mr.. Marsden was silent for few 100
ments; then he said:
ARTHUR, am very unhappy about this
affair. II you were my own son, could
not feel it more Let us say nothing fur
ther at present. Go home, and tomorrow
we can talk with more composure"
Arthur passed sleepless night. Next
morning at tho usual hour he was at the
bank Upon his desk he found a letter
which he recognized Immediately as being
from Edith. He hastily opened it and
read:
Mr.. BURNs-Since you continue to keep my
ring and refuse TO give any explanatin or rea-
sor for doing 50, feel Obliged to say that You
may consider our engagement at an end. In
view OF the friendship between our families, no
other step will be taken. EDITH MAnsDEN
Arthur reeled and would have fallen but
for the assistance of clerk near By. He
requested an interview with the prt sident
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 a clerk believed
him guilty.
Lawrence was in stir Of great excite
ment when It became known that Arthu,
Burns had been accused Of stealing Edith
Marsden's diamond ring; that the engage
ment between the two had been broken
ard he had left the town. Sympathy was
with him and his widowed mother, for
he had been model son. There were few
who believed him guilty. Mrs. Bradford,
at " hose house the ring was lost, made
every effort to recover il, but in vain. MIR.
Marsden would not talk Of the 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 thu
loss of the ring
Arthur went to a town In the far west.
where he soon found work. Brains veil in
some parts of CUR broad land. and nt the
end of year he was able to send )r his
mother aud establish her in ONE OF
their OWE. Alter that nothing was heard
of him in Lawrence for some years One
day he received the following letter from
Mr.. Marsden:
DEAR Arr HUR-The ring he's been found
Edith had had dressnaker in the house 10,
eeyeral days Cne Of her dresses, a gray six
she wore il on the evening the ring disal'-
peared--was brought down TO be remodeled.
In ripping If Edith felt something hard in the
Duff on the overSllirt and drew out the dio-
g,ond ring. Twill not tell you all that fol
lowed. but Edith wep. bitterly and begged me
to recall you at once. Come back, my boy,
and take your old place. Within my inno.t
heart j never believed you guilty. Your
friend, GEORGE MARSpEN.
Arthur lost no time in replying TO this
better. II am glad the ring is found"
be said, but nothing can ever compen'
safe me for the shame with which you,
through your daughters influence, brand
ed me by doubling my honesty. / have
made a name and place here and am Go
ing well. Under no consideration would
/ return TO the scene of my mortifit alton
As for Miss Marsden, decided on the
evening when the ring was lost that
could not marry a woman Of her unhappy