The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-05
THE LOST RING

sales had kScn advertised.
A large, important looking woman,
richly dressed, had managed, by q liberal
use of her elbows, to get in the front row
and attract the attention of a saleseirl.
who stood as if bewildered at the commo-
ton around her
"Here, clerkl' she called loudly. ga
dozen Of black, 616, and be quick about it,
too, as don't want to be crushed to death
by this vulgar crowd -
The girl addressed, a slender, pretty
blond, with aristocratic features, invoi-
unfairly drew herself up and opened her
lips as if to reply to this rude speech, but
rememb ering whore she was closed her lips
and turned to select the gloves.
"Win you try ca pair2'
"Of course viii, and do be careful you
do not pinch my hand. You glove filters
are SO clumsy" And drawing off her glove
the customer displayed hand bedeoked
with glittering rings.
81 must ask you to remove your rings
or cannot properly fit you" And the pref
ty clerk waited patiently until the rings
were ostentatiously removed and laid in q
shining heap on the counter,
After several unnecessary orders the
gloves were fitted and done up and tho
buyer began to put on her rings. AS she
did so she gave quick glance and cried
out loudly:
"You have stolen one of my rings!''
The proud, disdainful look which had
appeared on the young girls face at the
accusation gave way to one of anxiety as
the woman loudly reiterated her charge.
"Indeed, madam, did not touch your
rings You must have dropped it'll" she
cried. Running around in front Of the
counter, she began to search on the floor
for the missing bauble, and many stand
ing by helped in the search but all in vain.
"You can't fool nae, =" declared the own
er in positive tones "You took that ring,
and you've got to return it or pay for it.
You just come along to the office with me
and be searched" And, selling the girl
by the hand, she almost dragged her to
the office.
Two gentlemen, one the proprietor, were
in the Office when the two women entered
"This girl has stolen diamond ring
from me, Mr.. Clifford" announced the
customer relating the circumstance, "and
I want her searched"
Impossible, Mrs. Hardlos. assure
you that Miss ,'' began Mr.. Clifford,
but stopped at a sign from his companion.
May ask, madam said the gentle
man in a cold, clear voice, ''if you are sure
you removed the ring and placed it on the
eounterP Could it not perhaps have re-
y
The young clerk looked at the gentle
man when he spoke for the first time since
entering the Office and turned very pale,
then red again, so that to suspicious
mind she was the picture Cf guilt.
''That is impossible. Such a thing
never occurred. Mrs. Hardlos exclaimed
angrily; but, taking up the glove she had
worn, she gave an involuntary cry of sur
prise. The ring had indeed stuck in the
glove finger and now sparkled maliciOusly
as its owner pulled it out.
With profound apologies Mrs. Hardlos
turned to the proprietor. He quietly mo-
toned to the clerk to withdraw. but the
gentleman who was with him laid re-
straining hand on her arm.
do not go" he said, ''untn you have
given this-this person an opportunity to
apologize to you, as you are the only in
jured party he said decidedly.
Chow dare you, sir? Who are you that
you presume to dictate to me?' Mrs. Hard
los haughti1y exclaimed.
The stranger handed her his card, and a
marked change of expression was notice
able on Mrs. Hardlos' worldly features.
The name on the card was that of a man
we'll known as a person of great wealth
and influence, one whose acquaintance was
eage>ly sought by the most select. Besides
this he was bachelor and considered a
great "catch.'
"You are quite right, Mr. Jameson, but
will atone for my mistake. Here, my
good girl, take this drawing out a IS
note ostentatiOusly, land call us even"
If this was considered an apology in the
eyes of Mrs. Hardlos, it did not pass for
such in the eyes of her victim. With a
gesture as naughty as any of her former
accuser the girl refused the offered money,
and turning to the proprietor asked if she
might be excused.
With his permission she withdrew and
was followed by Mr.. Jameson, who hastily
babe adieu to his friend and overlook her
at the door. He spoke to her in low tones
for moment, then raised his hat and left
her The new clerk remained in her place
until her week was up, then resigned her
position.
About two months after the unfortunate
affair of the ring Mrs Hardlos received an
invitation to a reception given in honor of
Mr.. jameson and his bride.
Greatly pleased, she determined to at
tend and by every art in her power cause
Mr.. Jameson to forget her unkindness to
the poor glove clerk and make friends with
his wife, who would be social power.
As she was led up to the bride and
groom and looked at the former, beauti-
full blond, dressed with elegant simplicity
and radiant with happiness, it seemed to
her that she had seen her before, but could
not recall where.
She was enlightened few moments
later when she mentioned the fact to her.
Eyes" replied the bride, 'you are quite
right, Mrs. Hardlos. We have met before
1t was at Mr.. Chords glove counter the
day you accused me of stealing your ring
Perhaps if you had known that was only
there for week in payment of foolish
wager 1 had made with some friends you
might have acted differently. But hope
you will remember, Mrs. Hardlos, that it
| is always safer and more humane to be
sure of theft before you accuse any one
of being the thief. And remember, too,
that a salesgirl poor as she may be, has
| feelings as well as you have yourself"
! Than she nnlitalu t1rned her hack 11r,can