The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-09-06

confidence, told him what hltty hd'
said, and showed him the letters.
'It's case OF circumstantial evi
dence," he said, after they had talked
over the particulars mo one shoulc
ever be condemned on that I'll thinL
of it over night, and give you my ad
vice in the morning"
go yourself and talk to Matte kind
ly and in private, was the advice he
gave. IF she is guilty you may gel
some clew."
That very afternoon Mrs. Lawson
nerved herself to the task, and, know
ing Matte was alone in her own room,
went thither and knocked at the door.
Matte opened it and looked surprised
at seeing Mrs. Lawson, who came in,
closed the door and sat down.
~ want to ask you few questions,
Matte she said, kindly. why did
you visit Peck & Snyder's jewelry store
the day you went home?"
For answer Matte burst into tears,
and Mrs Lawson now felt sure her
suspicious were correct
''Oh, Mrs. Lawson!' she sobbed, II
know you have thought stole that
ring. could read it in your face, but
indeed never did! l went into Peck
& Snyder's and bought little jet
brooch to carry to mother for pres
emit. She had never had black pin
since father died, and I knew she
would like one. and that Peck & Sny-
der always had pretty assortment, so
went in there to buy it. For, though,
theirs is such stylish store, they are
honest and will tell you just what
things are, and their prices for such
things are no higher than they are
elsewhere. And they always treat
their poor customers as politely as they
do their best ones"
IBID you get one?'
"Yes'm, bought her a very pretty
one for dollar, and she was SO pleased
with it, though she said ought not to
spend my money for her. It's the first
money ever earned, and did love to
get it for her. My mother is SO good
nothing is too good for her." Matte
said, her face flushing with pride and
tenderness.
Was this truth. or only clever act
ing?
But didn't you have ring on your
finger that day? neaer saw you wear
one here"
For answer Matte took little box
from the bureau drawer, and opening
it, laid in Mrs Laws on's hand we'll
worn gold ring. On the back of it, two
interlinked hearts. in the style of long
ago, made device very much the
same shape as Jacky's diamond clus-
ter.
Grandmother gave me this" said |
Matte, ''the day first left home. 1t |
vas ring grandfather gave her be-
fore they were married, and she has
always worn it, but she wanted to give |
ne something and had nothing else to
give. She said l must wear it all the
lime to remember her-as if could
,ver forget her-dear heart! But am
lot used to wearing ring, and I'm al
ways afraid l should break it or lose it
put it on to go home, so she would
zee / wore it. That wasn't wicked de-
option, was it?''
Mrs Lawson smiled as she said: II
I'M sure not" though the girls simple
ltterances had almost moved her to
ears. She glanced about the room, SO
leat and orderly in its simplicity, saw
daties wellworn Bible lying on the
tand at the head of the bed, and, bend
ng over, she kissed the girls cheek.
1o1 -,
latte, she said.
''Oh, thank your cried Matte. the
ears falling again. at makes me
Iappier than l have been since the
ing was lost. / do hope it will be
ound"
But days and weeks went by and no
race of it
might as we'll look for needle in
aystack as to hunt for it further"
udge Lawson said, and every body con-
erned had nearly given up all hope of
yer seeing it again.
One raw April day JaclSy had been
IF in the maple woods to sugaring
nd came home just at sunset, damp
nd cold. The lounge behind the coal
teve was always her favorite warm
1g place, SO she sought it at once and
at there resting and warming herself.
The level sunset shafts shot in at the
rest window and glanced across the
beet of zinc under the stove. As
acky looked down she saw IN the sun
ght the faint impression of small
ircle on the zinc close to her feet.
An inspiration seized her. STOPPING
own, she pulled up the loose edge of
lie zinc trifie, reached her fingers
nder and drew out the lost ring, as