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

| downstairs she would De sure 10 ned
and question her. 1t would spoil he
mothers Steep to know that the RIM
was missing, even for minute, AM
' sleep was her only headache cure.
IN find it the very first thing il
the morning, before / say word Il
anyone" Jacky resolved, and in TIVE
minutes she was In sound, healthy
sleep, from which she did not walker
till near nine o'clock
"My ring!" was almost her first wax
ing thought; SO anxious one that she
rose at once, dressed quickly and hur'
ried down to the dining-room.
The family had breakfasted, but she
thought little about that. Her first
glance at the lounge where she had
left her wraps showed that they were
all picked up and carried away.
who carried my things away?' she
asked Matte, who was busting the
room.
II did Wasn't that right?"
"Oh, yesr' but she hurried into the
hall and examined her mittens, her
muff, cloak and hood, even her over
shoes and lcggings, shook everything,
but to no purpose.
did you hear anything drop on the
floor when you picked up my things,
! Matie?" she asked, when she returned
to the dining room.
II don't remember as / did," Matte
said. 1--WE swept the floor since.
Have YOU lost something?"
Jacky said YES" and, getting down
on her hands and knees, peered in the
hollow of the stove legs, examined the
lounge and shook its cushions Then
she went out at the front door and
carefully examined every inch of the
path to the gate-all in vain.
Then. and not till then, did she ac-
quaint her mother with her loss. Mrs.
Lawson was even more disturbed than
Jacky, and she went over all the
things and places that Jacky had
searched, as vainly. Then her sus-
picon fell on Matte. She was too just
to say anything of it to anyone else,
but she watched the girl narrowly
and thought she saw traces of guilt.
Judge Lawson took measures to have
the sleigh searched carefully, and also
sent word to the house where the
party was given, but all as fruitless as
the other efforts.
The next week was Mates time for |
a visit home. Her widowed mother |
lived in the city, ten miles away, and |
it had been stipulated when she came |
that she should have a chance to go
home once in two months and spend |
Truth to tell, it was re-
lief to her to get away, for she felt
that Mrs. Lawson was all the time
her and suspected that she
knew what had become of the ring.
That evening Kitty Logan, one of
Iacky's many girl friends, came bust
ling in.
II went to the city to-day" she said,
and | sat just opposite your girl,
Matte. in the car. And l want to ask
you question. Does she wear a
'ing?"
Il don't remember as ever noticed
Ter wearing one. Why?"
'CAl, ~ NV IICuu dAy LilltE, |
'ut she certainly had on one to-day,
or could see the shape of it through
Ter worsted glove"
Should You think the shape might
lave been like Jacky's?" asked Mrs.
lawson.
81 should think it might, though l
Iidn't think about that at the time,
nd should never have thought of it
gain, but for one circumstance.
lad an errand at Peck & Snyder's-
hey're the finest jewelry store in the
ity you know-and I met Matte COM
ng out just as / went in. She must
AVE gone there direct from the depot.
he had on veil and didn't notice me,
o many are all the time passing out
nd in, but wondered why poor
irl like her should visit fine store
ike that"
Mrs. Lawson was more stirred by
his confirmation of her suspicious
han she was willing to confess. With
ut telling anyone she wrote immedi-
tely to Peck & Snyder, asking if they
ad had diamond ring offered them
Or sale that day, if so, what style of a
ing and by whom.
The answer came back Immediately. ,,
hey had several clerks, SO it was diff
ult to trace such things, but one
Jerk, name given, remembered a
Dung lady bringing in diamond ring
bout that time, was not positive as to
he day, and asking its value. She
i'd not say she wanted to sell it. The :
eads of the firm were both out then, c
nd the clerk told her he did not think
ny of the clerks would be competent 7
ldges of its value, and advised her to !