Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-02
THE LOST RING.

for 1t was bargain day and many special
sales had been advertised.
A large, IMPORTANT looking woman,
richly dressed, had managed, by n liberal
use Of her elbows, To got In tho front row
and attract tho attention OF a saiesgirl,
who stood ~ II bewildcred ut the commo
tion around her.
Here, clerkW she called loudly. "A
dozen of black, 81, and be quick about II,
too as don't want to be crushed To death
by this vulgar crowd"
Tho girl addressed, n slender, pretty
blond, with aristocratic features, invol-
UNFAIRLY drew herself up and opened her
lips as II TO reply to this rude speech, but
remembering where she was closed her lips
and turned to select the gloves.
"Will you try on IA palrl'
"Of course will, and do be careful you
do not pirch my hand. You glove filters
are so clumsy" And drawing of her glove
the customer displayed hand bedecked
with glittering rings.
II must ask you to remove your rings
or Icannot properly fit you" And the pref
ty clerk waited patiently until the rings
were ostcntatiously removed and laid In "a
shining heap ON the counter.
After several unnecessary orders the
gloves were fitted and done up and the
buyer began to put on her rings. As she
did so sho gave quick glance and cried
out loudly:
"You have stolen one OF my ringsp
The proud, disdainful look which had
appeared on the young girls face mt 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!" 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 me, declared the own
er In positive tones. "You took that ring,
and you've got to return 1t or pay for 1t.
You just come along to the office with me
and be searched" And, seizing the girl
by tho hand, she almost dragged her to
tho office.
Two gentlemen, one the proprietor, were
In the Office when the two women entered.
"This girl has stolen diamond ring
from mo, Mr.. Clifford" announced tho
customer, relating the circumstance, "and
want her searched"
Impossible Mrs. Hardlos. assure
you that Miss -" began Mr.. Clifford,
but stopped at sign from his companion.
May 1 ask, madam" said the gentle
man In cold, clear voice, "if you are sure
you removed the ring and placed 1t on the
counterp Could 1t not perhaps have re-
mained in the finger Of your glover"
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 a suspicious
mind she was the picture of guilt.
"That is impossible. Such thing
never occurred" Mrs. Hardlos exclaimed
angrily; but, taking up the glove she bad
worn, she gave an involuntary cry of sur
prise. The ring had indeed stuck In the
glove finger and now sparkled maliciously
us its owner pulled 1t 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 CO." he said, "until you have
given this-this person an opportunity to
apologize to you, as you are the only in
jured party" he said decidedly.
"How dare you, sirY Who are you that
you presume to dictate to meS" Mrs. Hard
los haughtily exclaimed.
The stranger handed her his card, and q
marked change of expression was notice
able on Mrs. Hardlos worldly features.
The name on the card was that Of a man
well known as person Of great wealth
and influence one whose acquaintance was
eagerly sought by the most select Besides
this he was a 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 S5
note ostentatiously, "and 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
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
bade 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 n 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 u social power
AS she was led up to the bride and |
groom and looked at the former, a beauti- |
full blond, dressed with elegant simplicity |
and radiant with happiness, 1t 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.
Yes, replied the bride, "you are quite |
right, Mrs. Hardlos We have met before. |
1t was at Mr.. Gifford's glove counter the |
day you accused me Of stealing your ring.
Perhaps II you had known that was only
there for week In payment of foolish
wager had made with some friends YOU