New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-11

TO BE or SERVICE
Tho curious disappearancc Of "A valuable orn2-
ment at a recent social function recalls an oHH
train Of circumstances some Years ago when. De-
ginning In similar fashion. resulted IN the end n
bringing the theft home TO very unexpected quar-
ter Tho frs, scene was fashionable dinner party.
"Minnie" called ont a guest whom We will call
Smith TO his wife, who happened 10 he ms VISA
Wis AT the table Mrs y. has ruby which |
think is even finer than yours"
His better half looked annoyed.
IAN can say Henry" she answered incredu-
,ouslv rs thai il must he a very good one. then
7 would Ike II compare them and she unclasped
a large brooch that confined some lace on her
bod!ca. and passed il around the table to Mrs A.
who in the time had slipped the ring con-
taining her jewel from her finger. The stones were
COMPARED and although they were both maGnii-
cent specimens, that of Mrs A. was pronounced -
ne the finest Meanwhile as some of those VINO
were present afierward remembered. the converse
ton turned on stones and their rise and fall IN
value rubies and pearls being cited as an exceIeh
investment
"May ] see them together" said Mrs Smith and
this time both jewels made the half-c!rcuit Of the
table Mrs Smith reluctantly ACKNOWLEDGED the
superiority OF the rival ruby fastened her own
brooch in lis place, and saying iaushingly' see
am honest enough TO send IT back gave 1t to her
neishbor Who also passed II on.
Meanwhile the general attention, which had been
10 individual interests and the matter dropped.
"Wlore is the ring" suddenly exclaimed Nj.
Smith
why. laid it by your plate" said his neighbor,
a fashionable little woman who had the reputation
of being extravagant. She grew very white.
"Didn', you take it?" she exclaimed in startled
accents. i thought of course. you saw me put II
there and just at that moment MI ~ U. NC y.
f SsasF side 'aa ''"S''''s anu never '"''''' "
ale ,her I'VE will find IL when We
get up easily enough. We had better not look nov.
as Tsn sS cb9ng@d the conversation to other
topics until the time arrived for the women me- "a, 10
tressed and troubled neghbor, whom we win cal
Mrs. Brown. made futile efforts 10 ind the MISSING
ring. and the minute there was a genera move
they both eagerly began a thorough search
By this time the other guests had become aware
eitemen: TIE exodus 10 the draw room was ar
rested. and all nvoluntarly assisted IN me hulI
Ie red For Mrs there S ' Ws hotas
10 accept the situation. Tais she did with charm
ing tact bat the incident WAS TOO unpleasant 10 he
overlooked and the company soon dispersed lna'
smt G am and Mrs. Brown were tie las, persons con
cerned certain. that dishonest servant mig
the matter rested Under the Circumstances there
could be no investigation pubhG sHsPlcloh nov Wv.
known to be in continual financial straits anu "iiS
gave color to the general belief shorty
Several years passed and tho unfortunate episode
forgotten, when one OF the guests who had beer
present ut the dinner happened 10 be taxing 70 d
wel-known man milner in Paris about c9lectionS,
"My grand passion Is for rings ne Sdld. i WI
show madam my collection. which Is very me.
and opening a succession OF fiat drawers IN ms
safe. he showed her q quantity OF rings OF Al
epochs and nations ,, 800 g.,
MANY OF my rings have historles-ths one ioI
instance and his nearer started as she recognized
the never-o-be forgotten ruby in Its peculiar set
ting !. .o..,,,,oa challenged n a country
woman OF yours. one Of my best customers she
had run up an enormous bill for gowns ana con-
fect!ons and at her wits end how 70 pay
me for her husband. who was man OF grea!
severity provided her with liberal allowance, pIl
positively forbade her buying on credit and she dlo
not dare TO confess to him her predicament 30
one day she brought TO ne this ring ana begged
me TO take Il for the debt. Although the proceed
ing was Irregular and not altogether satisfactory
10 me | consented 10 Obli0e mauam. and added
the ring 10 my collection. II cost me a good GUS
toner, though for have never seen Madam
since" 49,, A.. u..l
auditor. You don't mean Madame Robert A. OF
New-York?"
-Oh, what inadvertence,' exclaimed the grea'
dressmaker. really distressed. How could | have
been stupid to be;ray the name, mus
count madame's discretion" ard ne would not
be satisfied until he had obtained promise OF
secrecy
$50 she took her own ring, after all" soloauized
Mrs A. We'll. that could hardly be called
theft. but TO allow suspicion 10 fall upon others
OF course. Mrs a. had planned the entire thinG